But a pair of whiskey-colored eyes met hers. Searched her face.
Wariness filled his irises. Then unease. Then…desire.
Someone cleared his throat, and she realized it was her father. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him motion her forward.
The rest of the wedding passed in a blur. Her dad and Gioni exchanged their vows and rings, but Lisa couldn’t take her eyes off Brad.
Then suddenly the bridal couple rushed down the aisle, the guests cheered and Brad extended his arm for her. Lisa accepted it, a tingle traveling through her as his muscles tightened beneath her hand. Like a thirst she couldn’t quench, one touch only wetted her need for more.
Brad ushered her into the reception area, where flowers, food and white-linen-covered tables laden with gifts and wedding cake beckoned. A band was already playing big band music. Her father and Gioni moved to the dance floor for their first celebratory dance as husband and wife.
It felt so good to be near Brad again that Lisa didn’t want to release his arm, but she had so many questions. Why was he here? Had he missed her?
Her nerves ping-ponged back and forth from hope to fear as she turned to face him. She couldn’t stand putting her heart out there again. What if he said no, that he had moved on with his life?
But God, he looked so handsome. She’d lain in bed so many nights wanting him.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered.
“Your father came to see me,” he said in a low voice. “He asked me to be his best man.”
Lisa frowned. Was that the only reason?
“He told me about the volunteer work.”
Her heart was shattering.
He shifted, shoved his hand through his hair, sighed and looked down. “I…I moved the dog inside.”
She twisted her fingers together, confused. Why was he talking about Beauregard?
Then it hit her. And hope flickered.
A smile twitched at one corner of his mouth as their gazes met. “He sleeps by the bed now.”
She licked her lips, ached to reach out and kiss him. “I’m sure he likes that.”
Brad nodded and studied his feet again.
Lisa saw him struggling and took pity. “Would you like to dance, Brad?” Maybe he could relax then. Loosen up. Maybe then he’d kiss her.
“I don’t know how,” he said in a gruff voice.
“You don’t know how to dance?” she asked, her breath raspy.
He shook his head, met her gaze, hunger flaring.
She took his hand. “I could teach you.”
“No…”
Hope faded to a burning ember. He didn’t love her.
“I don’t know how to do this, either.” He reached inside his pocket, removed a ring and held it up to her. Tears pooled in her eyes and spilled over. It was a beautiful amethyst in a white gold setting. Almost identical to the one her mother had given her, only larger.
“I don’t know how to be in a relationship, to be a…husband,” he said gruffly. “But I want to try.”
Lisa’s heart twisted. “I can teach you that, too.”
“I know it’s not the same ring—”
“Shh.” She pressed her finger to his lips. “It’s beautiful, Brad. I…love it. And I love you.”
For a heartbeat, they simply stared into each other’s eyes. Seeking. Yearning.
Then he slipped the ring on her finger, held out his arms, and she went into them.
WHILE THEY DANCED, their bodies gliding together, Brad imagined it as a prelude to making love, although Lisa had to lead and he kept stepping on her toes. He had wanted so badly to have Lisa back in his arms. And she had accepted his ring, had told him she loved him.
But he hadn’t said the words back. Maybe he didn’t have to. Maybe it was enough he was there with her. Maybe the ring said it all.
Or maybe he was afraid of saying it.
At midnight, they said goodbye to Gioni and her father, drove to the lake and picked up his dog, then went to Ellijay. The ride was practically silent, but Lisa curled up against him, and he savored the contact. Fantasized about what the long night ahead would hold. Bodies touching. Loving. Kissing. Joining.
He was hot simply from the thoughts.
Rain splattered the roof and ground as they climbed out and ran up to her porch. Beauregard barked, then loped inside and sprawled on the braided rug as if he owned the place.
Moisture glistened off Lisa’s face, dripping from her hair as it did his. He twined a finger around a strand, then his gaze met hers for a long second before it fell to her breasts. The white silk halter top she wore was soaked, plastered to her skin, her nipples tight and puckering, pushing at the thin damp fabric.
“You are the most beautiful woman in the world,” he whispered.
Lisa smiled, held out her hand, then led him to the bedroom. She lit a candle, flipped on an Alicia Keys CD, then turned and grasped for his hand just as the singer belted out, “I keep on falling in love again….”
In silent invitation, she placed his hand on her breast. He felt her heart beating beneath his fingers, felt her nipples tighten, her breath catch, and knew he’d never forget the sight of her, so sweet, so sexy, so unselfish, offering herself to him in the candlelight.
Without asking for anything.
She was so courageous, much more so than him.
“God, Lisa.” He slid his hand to the tie at the top of her neck, wiggled it loose, then watched, his body hardening, as the sheer fabric slithered down, revealing her bare breasts. He swallowed, looking his fill, wishing he could be the man she deserved.
“I…I don’t know how to be what you want,” he said gruffly. “I’m so afraid I’ll disappoint you.”
Lisa cupped his face in her hands. “You already are the man I want, Brad, just the way you are.” She pressed her lips to his and unfastened the buttons of his shirt, her fingers tangling in his chest hair, her touch igniting the flame of desire burning within him. “And you could never disappoint me.”
He quivered with the need to believe her.
She thought he had saved her, but in reality, she had been the one to save him.
Emotions crowded his throat at the realization. He eased her down on the bed, stripped the skirt from her legs, ran his fingers and tongue over her body, loving every inch of her as she writhed in his arms. And when he sank inside her, and she cried out her love, every shred of doubt and fear shattered within him.
He rose above her, the two of them still connected in the deepest way possible, then whispered for her to open her eyes. “Look at us together, Lisa.”
She glanced down at their bodies entwined, a sultry look darkening her irises. “I love you so much, Brad.”
“I love you, too, Lisa.”
With every ounce of emotion he possessed, he thrust inside her one more time, bringing them both to a mind-shattering climax that rocked his soul as they came together.
As they lay in each other’s arms, rain softly splattered the roof and music floated through the air. Through the open window, the fresh scents of grass, of cinnamon and apples, and of hope drifted toward him. He imagined Lisa picking apples, making pies, rocking his babies and being his wife.
He hugged her to him, planted a kiss in her hair, then ran a finger along her cheek, stunned that he was with her now, that he had gotten so lucky.
In a heartbeat, he had almost lost Lisa. But a heartbeat later, she was back.
And she was his forever.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8138-1
IN A HEARTBEAT
Copyright © 2006 by Rita B. Herron
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario M3B 3K9, Canada.
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