Only For You (Forever and Always, Book #1)
Page 22
Cortland released a deep breath. “Thank you.”
“Why aren’t you angry with me?” I asked. “My actions were just as wrong as his. Why is Cortland taking the heat?”
“Cortland knew exactly what he was doing—you were out of your mind,” Ryan said.
“I’m still responsible for my actions. I never should have messed around with your friend and risked your friendship. I want you to know that I’m sorry, Ryan. I never should have done that.”
Ryan met my gaze. “I forgive you, Scarlet. Since there was no harm done, I think we can all move on.” He drank from his soda and put it down. “Let’s just forget about the whole thing.”
“That sounds good,” Cortland said as he started to eat his food again. I picked up my shake and started to drink from it. The waist of my pants was starting to get tighter from all the milkshakes I’ve had. A gym membership was a necessity if I was going to keep my figure. Ryan and Cortland never had a problem with their weight since they exercised all the time.
“So, back to this girl.” I smiled. “What’s her name?”
“Monnique,” Cortland said.
“I like it,” I said. “Where did you meet her?”
“She’s a nurse at the hospital. I was fixing the printer in her department and we started talking. I told her she was foxy.”
Ryan laughed. “That actually worked?”
“I got game.” Cortland smiled.
I started clapping my hands together excitedly. “Set up a double date.”
Cortland raised an eyebrow. “With who?” he asked.
“With me and Ryan,” I said. “Just because we are related doesn’t mean he can’t be my date. I want to get to know her and see if she’s a good fit.”
“She better be—she’s gorgeous,” Cortland said.
“Looks aren’t everything,” I reminded him.
“But they help,” Ryan added. “Now I have to see this girl.”
“She’s mine,” Cortland said. “Get your own.”
“I’m trying.” Ryan laughed. “Seriously, let me know if she’s got some cute friends, preferably one that gets a Brazilian wax and wears a thong to the beach.”
“Don’t be gross, Ryan,” I said.
“I’m not,” he said. “Those are qualities that every man looks for.”
“Have you slept with her?” I asked. I didn’t feel awkward asking him this, and I could tell Cortland wasn’t bothered by my intrusive question.
“No,” he said. “I want to take it slow. I really like her.”
“That’s smart.” I nodded. “Let her think you respect her.”
Cortland laughed. “I do respect her.”
“Yeah, right.” Ryan laughed.
“I’m trying to settle down,” Cortland said. “I’m not looking for a quick getaway.”
I touched Cortland’s shoulder. “I hope it works out for you.”
“Me too.” He smiled.
Ryan’s phone started to ring and I felt the panic descend. What if there was another break-in at the shop? We wouldn’t be able to stay in business if it happened again. Ryan looked at the screen of his phone and smiled.
“Hey,” he said. Who could make him smile like that? “We aren’t home. We are down the street at a restaurant called Mega-Shake.” Ryan paused then looked at me. “Yeah, she’s here.” He was silent for a moment. “I’ll see you in a few.” He hung up and kept smiling.
“Who was that?” The wide smile on his face was starting to annoy me. I knew he was keeping something from me.
“It was nobody.”
“Ryan,” I pressed. “Who was that? And why are they looking for me?”
Ryan shrugged his shoulders. “I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”
“I’m about to dump my Mega-Shake on you,” I threatened.
“You would never waste it.” He laughed. “You drink it faster than water.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back in my seat, annoyed that Ryan was keeping me in the dark about something. Cortland and I just confessed our sins and now he was deliberately hiding something from me. Ryan and Cortland started talking about a new tattoo he was working on and they both ignored me. I sulked in my seat, fighting the anger that was flooding my body. I would have to wait until this mysterious person arrived. My thoughts immediately went to another author that had a manuscript I could edit. Maybe someone noteworthy, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
That was when I saw him enter the shop, looking around the tables as he searched for us. It wasn’t a client that needed my assistance. Sean scanned the restaurant until our eyes met. He was wearing jeans and a plain shirt with his bag over his shoulder. We stared at each other for a few seconds before either of us reacted. Ryan caught me staring past him and he smiled at me, knowing that Sean was right behind him.
“Are you just going to stare at him, or are you actually going to talk to him?” Ryan teased. I completely ignored him. “Sean?” I asked as I got out of my seat. “What are you doing here?”
Sean stepped closer to me and put his hands in his pockets. It was obvious that he was nervous about this interaction and unsure of how I would react to seeing him. He shifted his weight while he looked at me then adjusted his bag. “I wanted to see you.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and didn’t touch him. Nothing had changed between us. He didn’t love me the way I wanted him to. Sean had flown across the country to reestablish our relationship, which made me happy, but it wasn’t what I wanted. He would never give me what I wanted. “Is everything okay?” I asked.
“No,” he said as he shook his head. “Not in the least.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m miserable without you, Scarlet. I don’t want to be apart from you anymore. I’m sorry about what happened and I regret it. Please give me another chance.”
“I told you I don’t want to see you anymore.”
Sean sighed. “Please stop acting like you don’t love me,” he said gently. “Because I love you.”
“Sean, I forgive you for what you did. You were right. I shouldn’t have assumed we were together in light of your breakup with Penelope. I admit I was wrong about that, but we can’t just go back to what we were. I can’t be friends with you again—everything has changed.”
Sean nodded. “Yes, you’re right. Everything has changed.”
I didn’t understand the meaning of his words, but I decided not to ask. My gaze switched from his face to the floor. The awkwardness was suddenly evident. I was aware of Cortland staring at me, as well as all the other customers in the store, who were eating their burgers and fries, aware of the serious conversation taking place.
Sean reached out and grabbed my hand. “And I’m glad that it has.” He moved closer to me and I didn’t pull my hand away. The emotions were running back through me. My heart pulsed painfully in my chest as he moved towards me. I knew how much I loved him and wanted him. That knowledge alone was painful.
“I love you, Scarlet,” he said. “I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it.”
I stared at him for a moment. “What?”
“I don’t want to be your friend,” he whispered. “That’s not why I’m here. I never want to be your friend again. I want all of you—every inch of you. I want to kiss you,” he said as he ran his fingers through my hair. “I want to hold you. And I definitely want to make love to you—as your boyfriend and nothing less.”
I felt the tears fall from my eyes. My brother could hear everything that Sean was saying, but I didn’t care. Everything that I had wanted to hear for so long was finally happening. Sean returned my love—he wanted me the way that I wanted him.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” I whispered.
For the first time, Sean smiled. “I’m glad that it is.” He released my hand and wrapped his arms around me, and I fell into his embrace. Holding his body against mine erased every painful feeling that I had. I was so happy that I continued to cry. Se
an kissed my forehead as he held me for a while. I enjoyed the moment—I was higher than a kite, but as emotional as a shipwreck. I pulled away from him, and he wiped my tears away.
“I love you,” he said as he pressed his head against mine.
“I love you, too,” I whispered.
He smiled at me. “And I’m yours,” he said. “As long as you’ll have me.”
“I’ve always been yours—always.”
He kissed my forehead. “I know.” He stared at me for a moment. “I’m sorry for taking so long. This wouldn’t be happening if I wasn’t such an idiot.”
“I forgive you, Sean—let’s just forget about it.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
I grabbed his face and kissed him gently and his lips ignited a fire within me. His lips felt right against mine and I knew I was meant for him—we were perfect together. Cortland ignited the same desire within me, but Sean’s kiss was different—it was amazing. I pulled away from him. “I love you so much,” I whispered. “I am so happy that you came back for me.”
Sean pressed his forehead against mine. “I love you, too, Scar. I’m sorry that I hurt you.
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” I said. “I have what I wanted—what I’ve always wanted.”
The story continues….
Forever and Always
(Book Two in the Forever and Always Series)
Available Now
About the Author
E. L. Todd was raised in California where she attended California State University, Stanislaus and received her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, then continued onto her master’s degree in education. While she considers science to be interesting, her true passion is writing. Only For You is the first installment of the Forever and Always Series. She is also the author of the Soul Saga Trilogy and an assistant editor at Final-Edits.com.
By E. L. Todd
Soul Catcher
(Book One of the Soul Saga)
Soul Binder
(Book Two of the Soul Saga)
Available December 2013
Only For You
(Book one of the Forever and Always Series)
Forever and Always
(Book Two of the Forever and Always Series)
Edge of Love
(Book three of the Forever and Always Series)
Table of Contents
Copyright
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The story continues….
About the Author
By E. L. Todd