by Amy Ruttan
Bastien drove for at least any hour before finally pulling into a small wooded park on the beach. Lake Huron’s blue water sparkled under a high noon sun. The beach was deserted since it was September and the kids were back in school. I was thankful for the solitude.
“Why are we here?”
“I like the water,” Bastien said quickly. “I grew up in New Orleans. I have to be near water every once and a while. It clears my mind. Helps me think.” He put the kickstand down and took off his helmet. “Come on, let’s go for a walk.”
I set my helmet down beside his. He stood there waiting for me, his arm extended. I took his hand and we walked toward the beach, still within sight of his motorcycle.
Bastien said nothing. I could feel the tension between us. I wanted to say something, but I knew it would only make it worse. I was the villain here after all. We stopped and Bastien looked out over the water. The only sound was a few gulls circling and the water lapping against the sand.
“I don’t think I really told you the reason I left New Orleans and came to London, did I?”
“Only that you wanted a change.”
A small half smile curled his lips, but he still didn’t look at her. “I needed a change all right.”
“Why? What caused the need for change?”
“A woman.” He looked at me then. “She broke my heart.”
A wave of remorse washed over me. “Bastien I—”
He silenced me by raising his hand. “I’m not looking for an answer, angel. I know you’ve been hurt too. I just wanted you to know that you were the first woman I’ve been with since my heart was broken five years ago. I followed her here. We were happy for a while. Then she broke my heart and returned to Louisiana. I stayed here, and I haven’t been with anyone since.”
“Five years? You haven’t been with anyone?”
“Nope. Trust issues. I needed time to heal, and I was angry.”
“Weren’t you lonely?”
“Weren’t you when you got divorced?” he asked pointedly.
“Maybe…yeah I guess I was. Though I didn’t want to admit it to myself.”
“Me too,” he said quietly. “Honestly, I didn’t know if I could trust another woman, let alone think about going into another relationship. My heart was shaken to its core, and then I started delivering mail to your house. I saw you and I felt alive again.”
“The first time you delivered to my house I was a wreck.” I laughed uneasily. “I had been up all night, my hair was frazzled. I think I was wearing different-colored socks even.”
“It didn’t matter to me. Besides you’re gorgeous and I saw something more in you then, angel. I looked forward to working, thinking I might catch a glimpse of you.” Bastien laughed and turned to face her. “The days you didn’t get mail…well let’s just say I didn’t enjoy those days.”
I felt a blush creep up my neck. “Honestly, I liked getting bills after you came along.”
He brushed my cheek with his thumb. “I just need to know, was it just about the sex? Was that all you were interested in?”
As I looked deep into his eyes I could see he was hoping my answer was no. He had been used before, and it was apparent to me he didn’t want to be burned again. Neither did I.
“Honestly, at first I was.”
His expression saddened and he lowered his head. I cupped his face in my hands so he was looking at me again. “At first I was. I wanted to do something so unlike me, to force myself out of the slump I had been in. I needed to do something bold and daring, like the women I write about, but after being with you, I knew that it wasn’t just the sex. When I walked away from you I was scared and stupid. I wanted more than just a fuck and it frightened me, because I never wanted to feel this way again. Vulnerable.”
“You want more?”
“I want to get to know you, Bastien, before I decide whether or not to walk away from you. Or vice versa. You could decide to walk away from me.”
Bastien smiled then, drawing me up in his arms. I wrapped my arms around his waist as he ran his hands through my hair.
“Angel, I don’t think I could ever tire of you.” He leaned in close and pulled me into a passionate kiss that made me melt.
When the kiss ended I laid my head on his chest as he held me. I felt so safe in his strong arms, like I belonged here.
“I’m sorry if I hurt you, Bastien. It was never my intention.”
“It’s all right, angel. It’s why I came back. I had to find out for sure, it didn’t seem like you. I knew you wouldn’t have just run away. Something spooked you.”
I looked up at him. “Well, I would still like to make it up to you.”
A devious smile spread across his face. “Oh you’ll make it up to me, angel, of that I have no doubt.”
A shiver of anticipation ran down my spine at the predatory look in his eyes. I had no doubt he would make me pay for my foolish mistake, and I was looking forward to every moment of it.
About the Author
Amy discovered her love of the written word when she realized that she could no longer act out the fantastical romances in her head with her dolls. Writing about delicious heroes was much more fun than playing with plastic men dolls with the inevitable flesh-colored “tighty whities”.
She loves history, the paranormal, and will spew out historical facts like a volcano, much to her dear hubby’s chagrin.
When she’s not thinking about the next sensual romp, she’s chasing after two rug rats and reading anything spicy that she can get her hands on.
Amy welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Amy Ruttan
Gladiator’s Revenge
Hard Candy
Love Thy Neighbor
Masque of Desire
Rain God
Print books by Amy Ruttan
Finely Aged anthology
Fox’s Bride
Sweet anthology
Tantalizing Treats anthology
Tempting Turquoise anthology
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
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