Heather's Story

Evernight Publishing

www.evernightpublishing.com

ISBN: 978-1-77130-270-8

Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

Editor: Karyn White

WARNING:  The  unauthorized  reproduction  or  distribution  of  this
copyrighted  work  is  illegal.    No  part  of  this  book  may  be  used  or
reproduced  electronically  or  in  print  without  written  permission,
except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This  is  a  work  of  fiction.  All  names,  characters,  and  places  are
fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or
persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

HEATHER’S STORY

Sisters of Lonewood, 3

Diane Thorne

Chapter One

Heather gripped the handlebar of her rolling luggage as she

the elevator carried her to the twenty-fourth floor. Her heart thumped
fast, fueled with anxiety to see her sister, Nikki. Following a soft
ding, the light above lit up and Heather eagerly lifted her large bag
and purse. As soon as the doors parted, she hurried out of the elevator,
pulling her rolling luggage behind her.

The sign on the wall directed her to turn right for 2429. With a

deep breath, she strolled down a long hallway that eerily reminded her
of a scene from The Shining, only there weren't many doors. Modern
artwork hung on the bluish-gray walls. As she passed a thin table with
a bowl of mints she considered returning to snatch one later. Her steps
were soft and muted from patterned carpet, but the wheels on her
luggage squealed loud enough to make her presence known. She'd get
WD-40 and take care of that after she returned home.

She turned the corner and found one door in the middle of the

hall to the left. Before she reached the door, it opened.

Nikki stepped out, and a wide smile quickly spread on her

face. "Heather!" Her eyes gleamed with joy as she stretched her arms.

Heather dropped her bags and left her luggage. She dashed

toward her younger sister and wrapped her arms around her.

"It's so good to see you. I can't believe it. You're going to be a

mother," were the first words out of Heather's mouth. She'd said the
same thing multiple times to her other sisters. Her sister's pregnancy
seemed too unreal. Heather had known Nikki and Stephen would have
kids one day, but not so soon. The exciting news, along with the

horrid last month at work Heather had endured at the diner, had
motivated Heather to use a week of vacation to spend in Chicago.

"And you will be an aunt." The cheerful grin remained on

Nikki's face.

Heather finally let go of her sister and stepped back. Her

sister's brown hair appeared full and lustrous while her lightly tanned
skin looked soft and radiant. "Look at you. You're glowing. It's true
what they say."

"Welcome to Chicago, Heather," Stephen said as he walked

around his wife. He paused and kissed Nikki on the head. "I'll get her
bags."

"Come inside, and let's sit." Nikki curled her arm around

Heather's and tugged her inside. "Did you have any trouble finding
the garage?"

"No, I used the GPS navigator to get here. Traffic was heavy

when I reached the city. People drive like maniacs."

"They always do," Nikki said as she guided Heather down the

hall and past an open doorway on the left.

"The pass code you gave worked fine. The hardest part was

finding the main lobby."

Nikki stopped when they'd reached the living room. A large

window overlooking the city encompassed the entire back wall.
Heather ignored the furniture and admired the view of Chicago.

"Wow," Heather said.
"Do you want to sit here, or have a drink in the kitchen? We

have wine. I can't have any alcohol, but you and Stephen can have a
drink."

"Wine is good."
Stephen walked past them and rounded the corner. "I'm going

to put these in the spare room."

"Thanks, honey. Would you like a glass with Heather, too?"
"Not right now." He headed for the small hall, rolling

Heather's luggage behind him and carrying her bags in his other hand.

Nikki grabbed Heather's hand. "Come on."
Once again, Nikki led Heather from the living room and into

the dining and kitchen area. A formal dining table sat at one end, in
front of the window. Heather looked over her shoulder at the view as
her sister tugged her away from it.

"This is a nice home, Nikki."

Nikki stopped at a long bar separating the kitchen and dining

areas. "I know. Stephen's dad owns this condo and several others in
the building. He likes to keep the family close." She gestured toward
the stools. "Have a seat."

Heather scooted a chair from under the counter while her

sister stepped into the large kitchen filled with modern black and
stainless steel appliances. The double oven captured Heather's
attention. The family house in Lonewood could use a pair since she
and Lisa constantly fed many people. Holidays were always a
headache when they only had one oven to use.

"Do his parents live in the building, too?"
"Penthouse. Matthew lives two floors above us, and Joshua is

on the sixteenth floor."

"Matthew lives here, too?" Heather asked excitedly.
Nikki removed a bottle of wine and set it on the cabinet. She

gave Heather another large grin. "He does. And I told him you were
coming to visit."

Heather's heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Matt again.

They'd sat at the same table during the reception. She and Matt had
had lengthy conversations over multiple glasses of wine. He had
seemed interested in her. She couldn't deny she found him attractive,
make that dead sexy and intriguing. He had quite a few stories to tell
about famous people he'd interviewed. After they had talked, they had
danced for nearly an hour. Heather had considered inviting him home
to her bed, but he had disappeared shortly after everyone gathered to
see the bride and groom leave. She always wondered what happened
to him and if she'd ever see him again.

"Why would you tell him I was coming?" Heather asked a bit

too hastily.

Nikki faced Heather and bent over the counter, bringing

herself closer. "It's no secret you two were having a good time at the
reception."

"We were. We got along great. He can hold his liquor, and

he's a good dancer."

"Who is?" Stephen asked as he passed Heather and stopped on

the other side of the counter, next to his wife.

"Matthew," Nikki said
"Oh, well we did have to take lessons for a couple years. Mom

insisted." He stepped around Nikki and grabbed the bottle of wine.

"He's joining us for dinner tonight," Nikki said.
"What?" The popping of the cork followed Heather's question.
"I asked Stephen to invite him," Nikki said with a curl of her

lips that made Heather suspicious of her sister.

"He seemed excited to join us." Stephen poured the red wine

into a glass and slid it toward her. "You don't mind him coming, do
you?"

Heather took the stem of the glass and lifted it. The serious

look on Stephen's face compared to the mischievous one on her
sister's led Heather to believe Nikki hadn't said much to her husband.
Without a doubt, her sister suspected Heather liked Matthew. Call it
sister intuition, or gossip. Either way, Nikki knew.

"Thanks. And no, I don't mind," Heather said before she took

a sip.

"Great." Stephen rubbed Nikki's back and kissed her temple.

"We'll have fun tonight."

"We definitely will," Nikki said.
Heather nearly choked on her wine, and she set the glass

down. At the same time, a digital ring sounded.

"I got it," Stephen said as he headed toward the cabinetry

along the wall. He stopped near the open doorway past the cabinets
and lifted a cordless phone. "Hello."

Nikki bent over the counter again. "I didn't tell him anything."
"There's nothing to tell anyway."
"He likes you, and you like him."
She stared at her sister. "How do you know he likes me?"
Before Nikki could answer, a man's voice other than Stephen's

called out within the condo. "Nikki? Stephen?"

The familiar sound of Matthew's voice instantly captured

Heather's attention. The soft and sexy tone warmed her. She'd missed
hearing his voice.

Nikki spun to face the open doorway. Not even a second later,

Matthew walked into the room. His gaze shot to his brother, and he let
out a heavy sigh. "Damn it, I was trying to get here sooner."

Stephen held up his arm as if to signal him to stop. "Yeah, he

just got here," Stephen said to the person on the phone.

"What's going on?" Nikki asked softly.
Matthew walked closer to her. "I just got off the phone with

Joshua. He said dad wants you and Stephen to work with Joshua on

putting this article together for the run next Monday. Dad decided he
didn't want it to sit another two weeks. I was hoping I could warn you
before dad called."

Nikki crossed her arms. "I hate it when he does this." She

moved closer to Stephen who softly argued on the phone.

Once Nikki stepped away from Matt, Heather took in a full

view of him. He stood as tall as Stephen and had the same color of
dark hair. Both men had short locks, but Matt's was shorter, and he
didn't have any bangs like Stephen did. Matt had a slightly larger
frame compared to his brother, leading Heather to believe he packed
solid muscle similar to Stephen. She'd never seen Matt wear anything
outside of a button-down shirt and trousers, including now. But she
had seen Stephen with a form fitting T-shirt, and my God, the man
packed some serious strength.

Matt stepped toward her, and she lifted her gaze. She smiled

and fought to ignore her fast beating heart and the longing between
her legs.

"Hi, Matt," she said before he reached the counter separating

her from him.

"How are you, Heather? It's good to see you again. When did

you arrive?"

"I just got here a little while ago, and I'm doing well. I took a

small vacation, so I'll be here until Saturday."

"Then you'll be here all week. That's great. Stephen invited me

to dinner tonight. I'm really looking forward to talking with you
again. I enjoyed our conversations when I was in Lonewood."

"Me, too." As she stood behind the counter, Heather tightened

her legs together. Staring into his blue eyes roused her desire. She was
thankful he couldn't see her movements.

"I wish I could've stayed longer, but I had to leave for a job. It

happens like that sometimes."

"Well this sucks," Stephen said.
Matt twisted and stepped toward his brother. "I wanted to

warn you. Joshua had called me and told me dad's plans."

"This really changes our plans for tonight and the rest of this

week," Stephen said with a mournful look in his eyes as he faced
Nikki.

"We have to work on this tonight?" she asked.

"I'm afraid so. Dad wants it published Monday. We're going to

have to put in extra hours to make it happen."

Nikki sighed heavily and shifted her gaze to Heather. "I'm

afraid we won't be much company. You're welcome to hang out here.
I can give you a key if you want to go out and explore. As for
tonight—"

"I can take Heather out to dinner and show her around the

city," Matthew said.

Heather eyed her sister suspiciously. "Did you—"
"No." Nikki moved toward her, shaking her head adamantly.

"I swear. I had no idea."

The severity on Nikki's face and in her eyes indicated to

Heather she was telling the truth.

"No idea about what?" Stephen asked.
Nikki spun around and approached Matthew. "Are you sure

you don't mind?"

"Not at all. I'd love to. I have an interview scheduled

Wednesday, but the rest of my week is clear, unless something pops
up."

"The reservations are for seven," Nikki said.
"I'll take care of her. Don't worry about anything."
"She's my sister. Of course, I'm going to worry."
"I don't need a babysitter," Heather said, and all eyes turned to

her. "I'm a big girl, and I know how to bring a man to his knees."

Stephen snickered, then looked away.
Nikki gave a nod. "You're right. But maybe you should at least

go to dinner with Matthew."

Heather met his gaze. "What time do we need to leave?"
"About a half hour before the reservation."
"I'll be ready."
A slight curl formed at the corner of his mouth. "If you're up

to dancing, I know a good club we can visit later, too."

"Okay. Let's plan on going."
Matthew looked from Nikki to Stephen. "I'm real sorry. I

wanted to warn you."

Stephen gestured toward the open doorway. "Come on, I'll

walk with you out."

As the two men left, Nikki walked around the counter and

took a seat next to Heather. "He's a good guy, but he's a bit wild."

"Who? Matthew?" Heather lifted her wine glass.
"He interviews famous people. Sometimes has dinner with

them and hangs out with them."

Heather sipped wine, then set the glass on the counter. "I

know. He's told me a few stories. I wouldn’t call that wild."

"He's older. He'll be thirty."
"So."
"He's been around the block."
"He's a runner?"
Nikki stared directly at Heather. "You know what I mean."
Heather placed her hand on top of her sisters. "Nikki, I love

you. But I'm no virgin. If you recall, I was the one dragging everyone
to parties. I was the one driving to bars."

"All right. All right." Nikki tossed her hands up. "I want you

to have fun and enjoy yourself, but don't let him hurt you."

Heather made a spitty sound. "Since when has a man hurt me?

Nikki, you know me. Don't worry, what happens in Chi-town stays in
Chi-town."

Nikki shook her head as she rose. "I'd really hoped we could

spend time together like we used to."

"Any chance you'll finish early?"
"I'm going to try." She pushed the chair under the counter.

"I'm going to change."

"Thanks, sis," Heather said as Nikki strolled away.
Nikki paused and looked back. "For what?"
"Letting me stay here, and not saying anything to your

husband."

Nikki walked back to Heather and gave her a tight hug. "I love

you."

"I love you, too."
The embrace lasted only seconds, but it was warm with

heartfelt compassion. Although Heather loved all her sisters, she and
Nikki always had a special bond. Heather was only a year and a half
older, and they both liked to stay active. During their high school
years, they had always gone to parties and football games together.
Heather missed Nikki greatly when she left for college, but their bond
had never faded. It would always thrive in her heart.

Heather watched her sister disappear into the next room. She

refused to let the change of plans spoil her mood. Since she now had a

Chapter Two

Heather rolled her lips together as she stared in the mirror.

She'd finished applying her gloss and finally felt ready to go on her
date. The time she'd spent straightening her brown hair had taken
longer than normal, but she wanted to make sure her locks looked
right. She'd even taken a small strand on each side and used a mini
clip to hold them together behind her head. The light touch of makeup
added a touch of color and youth to her face. A string of tiny red
beads dangled from her earlobes while a red-jeweled necklace circled
her neck. The color matched her dress, which clung to her body
perfectly. The low neckline and lack of sleeves revealed just enough
flesh, but not too much. Before she had left Lonewood, she'd packed
her best dresses and outfits as she intended to get out and have fun
during her vacation.

"Hello?"
The familiar sound of Matt's voice sent a sliver of warmth

through her. What was it about him that made her so needy? She'd
dated and slept with plenty of men, but Matt had a way of stirring her
juices unlike any man she'd ever met.

Heather stepped from the bathroom and into the hall. "I'm

here. Nikki and Stephen are gone." She headed toward Matt, her heels
clacking on the hardwood floor.

He stopped past the corner and ran his gaze down her body.

"Wow. You look incredible. That color suits you well."

"You like it?" She ran her hands down her hips. "I always feel

sexy in red."

His lips curled as he lifted his gaze to meet hers. "And you

are."

Heat rushed to her cheeks, though she didn't know why. She

was confident in her appearance. Men had complimented her before
plenty of times. What was it about Matt that made her feel like a
teenager?

"Thank you," she finally said.
He offered his hand to her. "Shall we go?"
She slipped her hand into his, and he clasped it. "I'm ready if

you are," she said.

Side by side, they left the condo and headed down the hall for

the elevators.

"Thanks for taking me to dinner since Nikki and Stephen had

to work."

"I really feel bad for them." He let go of Heather's hand upon

reaching the elevators. Then, he pressed the down button. "Joshua
said he'd told our dad about you visiting, but that didn't persuade him
to change his mind. My dad can be just as stubborn as my mom
sometimes."

"As long as I can spend a little time with Nikki, I'll be happy.

I'm so excited about her pregnancy."

The elevator dinged before the doors opened. Heather stepped

inside and stopped in the back.

"I was a little shocked when Stephen announced the news."

Matt hit the button for the lobby, then faced her. "He is the baby of
the family."

"I'm sure he'll make a great father."
"Do you like kids?"
"Yeah, I do. But I see a lot of undisciplined kids while I'm

working, and it lessens my desire to have any."

Matt chuckled. "I know exactly what you mean."
"Do you like kids?"
"I do, but my job keeps me busy." He moved closer and

stopped next to her. "And I enjoy traveling and going out with friends.
I'm not sure kids are in my immediate future. It would take a special
woman for me to settle down."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I like to stay on the go, too."

Her heart rate accelerated as she stared into his bluish-gray eyes. He
stood so close she could reach out and claim his lips.

The elevator's announcement of their arrival quickly diverted

her attention.

"Come on," Matt said with a tilt of his head.
Heather walked next to him as he headed for the main exit.

Outside, a line of taxis waited near the curb. Exhaust vapors rose from
the vehicles, and Heather suddenly realized she'd left without
grabbing a sweater.

"Shit." She stopped far enough away from the glass doors, but

she still felt a cool breeze. A couple had just entered the building and
let the chilly air inside.

"What's wrong?" Matt asked.
She ran her hand over her bare arms. "I forgot a sweater."

"Do you want my jacket?" He gripped the inner edges.
She briefly considered his offer. The man had a nice style

similar to that of Marc Anthony with his dark pants and maroon
button-down shirt under his black blazer. Although his coat would
offer some protection from the December weather, it would also fit
horribly on her. Two of her could probably fit inside it.

"We won't be outside much. The taxis always deliver to the

front doors. But it's up to you," Matthew said.

Considering they wouldn't be outside for long, she decided

against borrowing his jacket. "I should be fine. Plus, once I have a
few drinks I'll probably warm up more."

She continued toward the exit with Matt at her side. The

bellman opened the door for her, and she hurried into the nearest taxi,
holding her arms. Matt sat so close his legs touched her. After he gave
the name of the restaurant and address to the driver, he leaned back.

He glanced at Heather. "You're cold. You should wear this."

He slid his blazer from his shoulders.

"No, no." She placed her hand on his chest to stop him. She'd

meant to touch his shoulder, but somehow found his heart instead. It
thumped fast under her palm. She swallowed hard. "I'm fine."

"But—"
She took her hand back. "I'm warming up already. I feel the

heat from the vents. I'll be fine. Really."

He slowly scooted his jacket back over his shoulders. "I'm not

one to argue with a beautiful woman. I want you to feel comfortable."

"Thanks, Matt. I appreciate the thought." When he lowered his

hands to his lap, she took one and squeezed his hand. "You're a good
man."

"My parents raised me right."
He smiled as he clasped her hand and gazed into her eyes. She

suddenly felt hot, and it wasn't from his warm fingers or the air
blowing from the vents. Desire stirred between her legs and slithered
within her. She'd lost the chance to have sex with him before, but she
wouldn't miss the opportunity this time.

"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"No, and I'm not seeing anyone either."
She mentally smiled.
"What about you?" he asked.
"No girlfriends for me. I prefer guys."

A grin spread over his face, and he gently gripped her hand.

"Do you have a boyfriend? I seem to recall you'd dated someone by
the name of Chad."

"I have only been on two dates since we last met, and neither

was promising. I'm still a single girl. Probably always will be."

"I doubt that. You just haven't met the right man."
"Well, since you know so many people, maybe you can hook

me up with someone while I'm here. Or…" She shrugged.

He arched a brow. "You have another idea?"
She leaned against his shoulder. "You figure it out."
He moved his face closer to hers. "I can think of plenty of

ideas."

In the next second, she brought her legs tight pressed together.

If her nipples hadn't hardened from the cold before, they were without
any doubt hard buds now.

"But we should eat first. We'll need to build up energy."
She had enough energy and desire built up now to have an

orgasm in the cab if he kissed her. Oh, how she wished he would. His
bluish-gray eyes and charming smile so close to her were difficult to
ignore. She tinkered with the idea of pecking his lips to see if he'd
respond. All signs indicated he liked her. Why not encourage him to
move to the next level?

By the time she decided to move in for the kiss, he looked

away from her. The car slowed, and he let go of her hand. As he dug
inside his pocket, the taxi stopped in front of a restaurant.

"We'll get out on my side," Matt said as he handed cash to the

cab driver.

Heather nodded, then waited as he exited the car. She

followed him and scooted over the seat. Standing nearby, Matt held
his hand out for her. Smiling, she gripped it, and he helped her to her
feet. His manners continued to impress her. Yes, his parents had
raised him right.

Matt ushered her toward the building, holding her hand. A

greeter opened the door, and Heather hurried inside. She stopped in
front of a hostess stand several feet from the door.

"Still all right?" Matt stood next to her. He slid his arm around

her waist, then pulled her close until her body brushed his.

"I'll be fine." She leaned into his heated body, feeling as if she

belonged with him and as if she'd known him her entire life.

He looked at the hostess with the blonde hair tied behind her

head. "We have a reservation under Krissman. The other two in our
party won't be joining us."

She lifted two large menus in one arm. "Follow me, please."
The hostess led them to the back of the restaurant, then

stopped at a vacant table covered with a white cloth. A thin vase with
a red rose stood in the center of the table. "Is this fine?"

"Yes, thank you." Mathew pulled a chair from underneath the

table for Heather. As she sat, he helped scoot her forward. Then he sat
across from her.

"Your server will be Katelyn, and she'll be right over to take

your drink order," the hostess said, then disappeared.

Heather held her menu as she glanced at the well-dressed

customers and oil paintings on the honey brown colored walls. "This
is a nice place."

"The seafood is excellent here."
"Oh, I love seafood."
"What kind?"
"Any kind, but I prefer it grilled, not fried."
He reached over the table and touched her hand. "Do you trust

me?"

Interesting question. "I don't have a reason not to."
"Let me order for you."
Staring into his gleaming eyes, she found herself unable to say

no. She placed her menu on the table. "Okay."

She'd never let a man order for her before. In fact, she often

placed orders for everyone who sat at her table. It was a habit since
she was a waitress.

Katelyn arrived, and Matthew gave the food orders, which

sounded like some sort of pasta dish. Pasta and seafood were two of
Heather's favorites. She silently praised the man for his selection.
Before Katelyn left, Matt requested a bottle of the house white wine.

"I think you'll like what I ordered," Matt said as he unwrapped

the napkin from the utensils.

"I'm sure I will. We seem to have similar tastes." She unfolded

the cloth and laid it on top of her lap.

"We do. And we both like to stay busy."
"Habit I guess. I didn't have time to stop and smell the flowers

when I was a kid."

A man dressed in black attire similar to Katelyn’s arrived with

two glasses and a bottle of wine. He set the glasses on the table, then
half filled each with the liquor. After he finished, he left the bottle on
the table and walked away.

Matt held his glass toward Heather. "To good times and happy

memories."

"Now that I like." She lifted her drink and clanked his glass

with it. "Cheers."

Heather took a big sip and swallowed. The white wine had a

light, sweet taste.

"Mind if I ask what made you decide to visit before the

holidays?" Matt set his drink on the table. "Certainly it wasn't entirely
Nikki's big news."

"Well, the news came as I was having a rough time at work."
"You're a waitress, right?"
She nodded. "Yeah, one of the other gals had quit, and my

boss wanted me to pick up extra hours. Well, I already work fifty plus
hours a week. I have been for the longest time, and I rarely took time
off."

"You sound like me."
"I'm tired, and I haven't been able to spend much time going

out because I work so much. I needed a break. Adding another ten
hours to my schedule is going to burn me out."

"Sounds like you've already had enough. Maybe you should

look for another job."

"I've been waitressing at the Sherie's diner since I was fifteen.

I'm not qualified to do much else."

He lifted his wine. "There are plenty of jobs here in the city. I

bet you can make twice as much and work fewer hours at a place like
this."

"Yeah, but I doubt I can afford to live here on my own. And I

can't stay with Nikki and Stephen. They have a baby on the way."

Matt swallowed before setting his empty glass on the table.

"Could you convince one of your other sisters to move here with you?
There is a variety of positions."

"Most of my sisters like Lonewood. They're happy there. I like

it, too, but it gets boring sometimes. I like to get out and do things. I
used to drive to Evansville with my younger sister, Alison, and we

went to clubs. But since I've been working so much, I haven't had the
time." She lifted her drink and imbibed more wine.

"I understand how you feel." He poured more of the light

colored liquor into his glass. "If I can help in any way, I will. Don't be
afraid to ask me."

"I appreciate the offer. Right now, I just need a break from my

job, and that's partly why I came. I'm going to enjoy my time here,
take in a few museums, visit a few clubs … and who knows what
else." Hot sex with a man topped her agenda, too, but no need to tell
him that.

He lifted his glass in a toast. "In that case, I'll make sure you

have an excellent time during your visit."

Judging from the curve of his lips, she suspected he would

fulfill his promise. She held her drink and tapped it against his glass.
"To an excellent time."

She stared into his eyes as they both sipped their wine. A little

more liquor, some dancing, and then a trip to his condo would be
enough to ensure her visit was a pleasant one. Oh yes, she'd make
sure to take pleasure from Mr. Krissman this time.

Chapter Three

Loud electronic music pulsed under Heather's feet and

vibrated through her body. She lifted her arms above her head and
swayed them along with her hips. Many others around her were
grooving in similar fashion. Sweat trickled from her forehead after
dancing for so long, but she refused to stop. The music made her feel
alive, as did the man dancing with his body touching her backside and
his hands on her hips. Matt kept her energized, feet moving, and body
thrumming for more of his touch, especially when he glided his hands
up and down the sides of her body, coming ever so close to her
breasts.

"Thirsty?" he yelled into her ear.
She lowered her arms and nodded. Although she wanted his

hands to remain on her body, she needed to replenish her fluids, not to
mention her mouth felt as dry as any desert. Seeing her response, Matt
clasped one of her hands and led her through the mass of swaying
bodies.

He pulled her from the crowd and to one of the bars located at

the side of the dance floor.

"Two bottles of water please," he told the female bartender as

he let go of Heather's hand, then dug inside a front pocket on his
pants. Sweat glistened on his forehead. Thank goodness he'd handed
over his coat at the check-in booth or he would've been drenched with
perspiration. He'd rolled his sleeves to his mid arm and unfastened a
few of the upper buttons, making him look even sexier.

Heather walked around him and claimed one of the bottles as

Matt paid the lady. She rubbed the cold plastic over her head.

"Not so cold anymore, huh?" Matt asked as he twisted the cap

from the second bottle.

"This club is much better than the last one we went to."
After they'd finished dinner, he'd taken her to a jazz club. She

liked jazz, and they had stayed for over an hour, but then she wanted
to hear tunes that were more upbeat. Matt had brought her here, and
after two drinks, she had headed for the dance floor. She had no idea
how much time had passed, but the music never slowed.

He moved closer. "It's a trance club. These places usually stay

open until two. Sometimes later."

"What time is it?"

Matt shoved his hand in his pocket.
"It's about 12:30," the female bartender said.
He lifted his phone out and showed the illuminated screen to

Heather. "She's right."

"It doesn't seem possible we've been dancing that long."
He nodded as he took a swig of his drink. Heather did the

same. The cold water felt good as it traveled through her heated body.

"You know, you look even sexier when you're hot." He took a

strand of hair sticking to the side of her face and tucked it behind her
ear.

"Well, you know, every time you touch me I get hornier. If

you keep doing it we'll have to run to your place."

For a moment, she stared at him. Had she really said those

words? They seemed to have spilled from her lips without her
consent.

He pressed his fingers on her shoulder, then dragged the tips

down her bare arm to her hand. She quivered from his ticklish yet
seductive touch.

"Did that do anything?" he asked with a sly grin.
"You’re a wicked man."
"And you're the most beautiful and honest woman I've ever

met. I love touching you." He caressed her cheek, and as his fingers
lowered to her neck, his thumb slid over her bottom lip.

Staring into his eyes, she burned with a need to kiss him. But

if she did, she'd want more. She'd want to rip off his clothes and climb
on top of him. And in a club, that wasn't a good idea.

"How am I doing?" he asked.
"We need to go."
She took his hand from her face and held it as she walked

along the side of the dance floor, staying close to bars to avoid
bumping anyone. Matt never resisted. In fact, he strode next to her
gripping the bottle of water in his other hand. Once she reached the
main hallway, she turned and headed for the lobby.

"I need to get my jacket," he said as the passed through an

open doorway.

"I can call a cab."
She took two steps in the opposite direction of the check-in

booth, and his hand squeezed hers.

"No way. I'm not letting you go. Come with me."

She wasn't about to disagree, so she followed him to the

booth. But while she waited the two minutes for the attendant to find
and deliver Matt's jacket, she considered mentioning she could've
hailed a taxi, which would've put them two minutes closer to having
sex. Damn, she was horny.

"Let's go," Matt said as he draped the blazer over his arm and

snatched the water bottle.

Another two minutes later, they filled the back seat of a cab.

She drank another gulp of water as Matt gave the address to the
driver, and then she placed the capped bottle beside her. As the car
pulled away from the curb, Matt leaned back with his shoulder and
leg touching hers. He set his blazer and bottle on his lap before
reclaiming her hand.

"How am I doing?" He grazed the side of her face with his

fingers.

She closed her eyes briefly, enjoying his soft touch as he

traveled down her neck and chest until stopping near her breasts.
"Hormones are lit up." She pressed her free hand to his chest. His fast
beating heart seemed to match her pulse.

"Only lit up?" He moved his hand to her knee. "Maybe I need

to heat them more."

She held her breath as his hand slipped under her dress and

along her thigh. As if he were a magician and his touch was magical,
currents of pleasure surged to the center between her legs, which
happened to be the direction he was heading.

"How am I doing now?" he asked.
Heather inhaled deeply. "Warming up fast."
And was she ever. His locked gaze on her stirred those already

twisted hormones and encouraged the growing need inside her. She
squeezed his hand as his other one reached the end of her thigh. He
slid the tip of a finger underneath her panties, and she curved her lips
into a sly grin.

"A string?"
She slowly moved her hand down his chest. "I was hoping to

get lucky tonight."

Through his maroon shirt she felt his chest with its small but

noticeable dips between rows of solid muscle. In her mind, she
pictured what he'd look like naked with six-pack abs. Glorious. And

she'd lick every firm muscle, including the one where her hand came
to rest. Yes, his cock was mighty rigid.

"I see why you laid your coat on your lap."
He gently bumped the tip of her nose while he hooked a finger

on her v-string and tugged on it.

"I've been hard all night long. I just hid it well."
Her body hungered and longed for him to fill her. She licked

her lips, then brushed them against his. Warm breath slipped into her
mouth, but he didn't invoke a kiss. His hand gripped her as if he were
trying to maintain some kind of control. Damn it, she wanted him to
kiss her.

"Kiss me," she finally said since he seemed to ignore the

encouraging signs she'd given him. She even rubbed his length,
hoping he'd take the hint.

He let go of her v-string and slid his hand over her thigh. The

same hand caressed the side of her face. Similar to before, he glided
his thumb over her bottom lip.

"I've waited a long time for you. I can wait a few more

minutes to ensure our first kiss isn't in the back of a cab."

Heather's heart accelerated. He wanted her as much as she

yearned for him. Surprising her even more, he had the willpower to
wait until they reached his place. Mathew continued to impress her,
and make her hornier than she'd ever felt before.

"You really are a wicked man."
He brushed his thumb over her mouth. "Only for you."
With his digit still near her lips, she parted them and licked his

finger. He slipped his thumb inside her mouth, and she tenderly
sucked on it. He watched her intently while he squeezed her hand. Oh,
he was needy, too, and she wondered how much longer he could
control himself. If his lust-filled eyes, tight grasp, and stiff erection
were anything to judge by, she estimated they wouldn't make it to his
bed before stripping each other's clothes off and sating their desires.

Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long. As the car came to a

stop, Heather released his thumb. Matt glanced over his shoulder, then
quickly dug inside his pocket. She grabbed her bottle of water as he
paid the driver, and she then hurried behind Matt to exit the cab.

Heather's heels clacked loudly and created a slight echo as she

strode into the empty lobby. Matt walked at her side, holding his
blazer over his arm and in front of his groin. In his other hand, he held

his water bottle. She reached the elevators first and punched the up
button with her fingers. A second later, one of the elevators made a
ding, and the doors parted to open.

Matt stood closer and rushed inside. By the time Heather

stepped into the elevator, he'd already pressed the number for his
floor. The doors slid close behind her.

"Alone at last," she said as she backed him to the wall.
Maybe he had control, but she didn't. She leaned against his

body and easily found his hardness while her lips met his. Her pulse
quickened, and her body hungered. She craved him and made it
known as she slipped her tongue inside his mouth.

Matt dropped his bottle and blazer as her tongue entwined

with his. He slid his hands over her hips and down to her ass where he
then groped her. Desire must have claimed hold of him. He kissed her
with hunger and fondled her tongue while he pulled up her dress. She
welcomed his passion, dropped her bottle and wrapped her arms
around his neck. As he backed her toward the wall, she spread her
legs. She was wet and yearning for him, starving with need. He
grabbed one of her bare ass cheeks, then smacked the other.

She gasped as a sharp current of pleasure shot straight to her

wet loins. Hands wrapped around his neck, she panted with her lips
hovering close to his. He slapped her ass again, harder this time, then
slid his hand between her legs.

"Oh, Heather. I love touching you. So soft…" He slipped his

digits between her wet folds. "So wet."

Heather lifted her leg to further his exploration, but lowered it

when the elevator announced they'd arrived on the twenty-sixth floor.
Matt quickly removed his hands and smoothed her dress over her
hips. As the doors opened, he snatched their belongings from the
floor.

Heather strode from the elevator feeling as if she were a big

orgasmic balloon ready to burst. Her body ached for Matt. She
yearned for him to touch, squeeze, and fill her with his large cock.
God, she hadn't felt such longing before. What was wrong with her?

"This way," he said as she paused at the sign with the room

numbers.

She followed him down a hall that resembled Nikki's two

floors down. Had her sister tried to contact her? She'd have to check
in later.

They passed a long table, walked farther, then rounded a

corner. The layout of the floor was the same, but the paint and carpet
were slightly different with bold colors. Paintings hanging from the
walls contained scenes of times long past. Matt stopped at the door at
the end of the hall and dug inside his front pocket.

Heather pressed her body to his backside and slid her hand

into his other pocket. "Need any help?"

In the time it took him to fish his key out, she found what she

was looking for in his pants and rubbed her fingers along his length.
He tensed and dropped onto his shoes everything but the key.

"Woman, you're driving me wild." He twisted and captured

her in his arms.

Heather locked her arms around his neck and pressed her

mouth to his. As her tongue played with his, she rubbed her breasts
against his chest. She wished his hands would touch her there. He
squeezed her ass, and the need within her burned hotter. She couldn't
wait much longer for him.

Holding her tight pressed, he spun her around until her back

hit the door. As she spread her legs, he ground against her. Oh, he was
horny, hard, and ready to claim his prize. Overwhelmed with need,
she lowered her hands to his pants and worked to unfasten them. At
the same time, he slid one hand under her dress while his other
fidgeted with the lock on the door.

Heather was lost in her desire for him. If cameras recorded

them or a neighbor walked by, she wouldn't fret over it. It seemed
Matt had little concern about being seen, too. He was a man on a
mission, driven by lust. She understood him well having the same
motivation while she hurried to free his cock. And the second she did,
she claimed a gentle hold her prize.

Matt broke the kiss and paused in his effort to unlock the door.

His heavy breath swept over her cheek while he wedged his fingers
under her thin v-string. When he inserted his digits into her moist
home she sucked in a quick breath.

"You're so beautiful, Heather. Everywhere."
As he pushed his fingers deeper, he planted a kiss on her lips.

Her body starved for more of him. She wanted the rigid object in her
hand to slide within her. She stroked his length with her hand and
rubbed the head with her thumb, hoping to inspire him to bury his

cock inside her. He moaned softly and took to fondling her clit.
Molten desire rushed through her, bringing her closer to her release.

"You're a wicked, wicked man."
He covered her mouth and flicked her tongue. Passion

consumed her every thought. She had to have more. She wrapped one
leg around him and pushed his pants past his hips. As his trousers fell
to his feet, she heard a click from within the door.

"Hold on," he said as withdrew his hand from between her

legs and nudged the door open.

Heather lowered her leg and twisted, but Matt wrapped his

arms around her and pulled her tight to his body.

"I've got you. Don't think you're leaving me." He planted

kisses on her nose and cheek as he slowly backed her into his condo,
kicking his jacket and bottles inside at the same time while his pants
were at his ankles.

"Uh, need some help?"
He managed to get the bottles and coat inside by the time she

asked the question. Still holding her with one arm, he swatted at the
door. As it clicked shut, he backed her against the wall. "No, I've got
this."

He gripped her dress and lifted it over her head. Following his

lead, she hurriedly unbuttoned his shirt. When his mouth smothered
hers, the train to orgasmville departed again. He stroked her tongue
while feverishly working to unclasp her bra and slip out of his shoes.
His cock bumped her stomach, and it took all her will not to claim it
again. Soon, she'd have him.

She pushed his shirt away from his shoulders as he unlatched

her bra. He took a step back and slid the straps from her shoulders.
The garment fell to the floor while he shook his arms free from his
shirt. At that moment, she gazed at his cock for the first time, and
what healthy one it was.

He took her wrists and kissed both her hands. "I never want to

forget this moment, Heather. I want to feel you come over and over
again."

Those words from his sexy voice brought her close to the very

thing they both wanted. She loved how he looked at her and treated
her, adored how he touched her and made her feel alive. She was
fairly certain she would come repeatedly with him.

Matt placed her arms around his neck while he instigated

another kiss. But it didn't last long since his hands found her breasts.
He kneaded them, then took one of her nipples into his mouth. Oh,
how she wished the cock touching her stomach were between her
legs. Slivers of ecstasy raced through her as he nibbled on her perky
bud. A soft sigh slipped from her. He captured her other nipple and
treated it in kind. Charged with pure need, her body yearned for a
release. He hooked his fingers onto her v-string and tugged it down
her legs. As he freed it from her feet, he snuck his tongue between her
pussy lips, and she nearly came.

"Oh, Matthew," she said as she ran her fingers through his

hair.

He licked her two more times, each firing a rocket of passion

through her. Then he rose and pressed her to the wall with his body,
his lips covering hers. So much feeling stirred within her, and clearly
him, too, from the way he stroked and sucked on her tongue. She held
onto him with her arms around his neck and hooked a leg on his hip.
He grabbed her ass with one hand and took hold of his erection with
his other. Slowly, he inched his rigid member inside her, and within
seconds, Heather wanted to take a fast and hard ride with her wicked
man.

She ended the kiss as her breaths became heavy. "I really need

you. It's been a while."

He stared into her eyes. "I've waited for you, Heather. Hold

on."

He lifted her carefully, and she wrapped her other leg around

him. Pressing her to the wall and holding her ass, he thrust into her.
She gasped in bliss as he stretched and filled her, again and again. He
quickened his efforts and drove deeper. His desire was a force to
reckon with, and he had complete control. She loved it, loved to see
and feel how much he wanted her. Her body breathed with longing
and welcomed each of his pumps inside her. Although he pressed her
hard to the wall, she managed to move her hips to his rhythm. Thrust
after grinding thrust brought her closer to a release. When she finally
came, she moaned blissfully and enjoyed the euphoric ripples as they
flowed within her.

"I feel you. I feel it," he said as he continued plunging his cock

inside her.

Peace flooded her mind and body as her inner walls spasmed.

Each of his drives hit her g-spot just right, keeping the blissful feeling
alive and thriving. His heart pounded, and his fingers dug into the
flesh of her ass. She sensed he was close to coming. He groaned and
forced his erection as deep as he could. Mere seconds later she felt a
pulse similar to her own blossoming inside her.

Mathew slowed his movements and finally stopped. His heavy

breaths tickled Heather's neck. Between her legs, his cock throbbed
vehemently. She loved how he felt inside her, so snuggly, so at home.
Pure joy filled her heart and soul, and it wasn't from the orgasm alone.

He lifted his head and met her gaze. "If you hold tight, I'll get

us to the bed, and we continue our wild monkey sex. I even have
handcuffs I've been waiting to use."

"Why am I not surprised?" She grabbed her forearms, locking

them around his neck.

"Admit it. You like me. You want me to chain you to the bed

and have my wicked way with you."

She laughed as he stepped back, carrying her with his arms

tight around her and his cock still buried inside her.

"Okay. I admit it. I had a feeling about you the day we first

met."

"Honey, I had a feeling, too. And I plan to work out my

feelings with you all week long," he said as he walked down the hall.

All week long. Somehow, the words sounded exhausting. Yet,

they also made her believe her vacation would be the best one ever.
She couldn't wait to see what he had in store for her.

Chapter Four

Colorful lights flashed above while the fast beat of the music

blasted in the dark club. The man Heather had spent the last five days
with stood inches in front of her with a big smile and his hands on her
hips. He wore black pants and a long-sleeved button-down rolled mid-
arm. She swayed her body with his, and every so often, she'd bump
into his groin. Just like all times before, he sported a woody.
Fortunately for him, the darkness of the club hid it very well. She
doubted someone would notice anyway since everybody was too busy
dancing.

A light flashed over the crowd. Heather noticed the sheen of

sweat on Matt's forehead. A dribble rolled down the side of his face.
He raised his arm and wiped it away.

Heather grabbed his hand as he lowered it. "Come on.

Drinks." She yelled.

She led him out of the crowd of grooving bodies and headed

for the stairs. They'd arrived earlier, had a few drinks, and walked
around before hitting the dance floor. After one tour of the three-level
establishment, she felt as if she knew it like the back of her hand.

Holding his hand, she climbed the steps. Everywhere they

went they were always touching in some form. She loved the
closeness, welcomed his warmth, and savored the sentiment behind
each touch. She'd miss it greatly when she had to leave. She'd miss
him. Her mood turned melancholy every time she thought about
returning home.

From the top of the stairs, she headed for the bar, passing by

empty couches and chairs.

"What are you in the mood for?" Matt asked, swinging her

hand between them.

"Something fruity."
"Hmm…" He raised a brow. "I have an idea."
He dug inside his pocket as he reached the bar. Heather waited

next to him, fingers threaded through his.

"Two sweet seductions," Matt said to the bartender.
Heather gripped his hand. "I like the sound of it. Sounds sweet

and…"

"Sexy, like you." He leaned toward her and gave her a kiss.
"Careful. We may have to call an early night again."

He chuckled and shook his head. "And that's a bad thing?"

Using one hand, he unfolded a couple of bills and slid them over the
counter.

Leaving early to spend the night in his embrace was never a

bad thing. The last several nights had been the best. They'd played
around and fucked, then showered and repeated the process. During
the day, he'd taken her to museums and touristy places. Heather
worried his time with her might interfere with his job, but he'd called
into work and said he needed time off. An assistant rescheduled the
interviews he had planned. Since Heather's sister had been stuck
working on the last minute assignment, Heather was more than glad
to spend her time with Matt. Looking back, she'd never had such an
exhausting yet thoroughly satisfying vacation.

"Here you go," said the bartender as he set the drinks on the

counter.

Heather lifted her glass "Let's go find a seat. I saw some on the

way here."

Matt nodded and picked his drink up. He followed a step

behind her, clasping her hand. She found a large red couch that
appeared free from stains, unlike the chair next to it. Stopping at one
end, she sat.

"Ohhh…" Mark said as he took the spot next to her.
The long O sound led Heather to believe he felt a bit

exhausted.

"You okay?"
He tapped his glass against hers. "With you, always."
She crossed her legs and sipped her drink through the straw.

The delicious flavors of pineapple, banana, and rum spilled over her
tongue.

"I like those boots. You look hot in them," Matt said.
He moved his gaze from her knee-high boots, to her mini skirt,

then to her sleeveless purple blouse. No surprise, he stared at the little
bit of cleavage showing.

"Like what you see?"
He held his glass near his lips. "Very much. I'm already

imagining licking them when we get home."

She chuckled and took another drink. The way he said “home”

made it sound as if they were a couple living together. She enjoyed
hearing him say the word.

As Heather imbibed more of the sweet liquor, she heard

Matthew's name called out. She peered behind him and saw a young
woman with long blonde hair dressed in high heels and a sexy blue
dress headed toward them. Her gaze focused on Matt.

"Matthew?"
He turned his head as she stopped at his side.
"Hey, I thought it was you." She lightly tapped his shoulder

with her small purse. "What are you doing here? You skipped out of
work this week."

Matt leaned forward and set his glass on the table in front of

them. "Candace, how are you?" He gripped Heather's hand while she
finished her drink.

"I'm good. But what about you? What's going on?" Her gaze

darted to Heather, and the bright smile slowly faded.

"Hi." Heather reached forward and deposited her empty glass

on the table.

"This is Heather. She's visiting in town, and I wanted to spend

some time with her." He faced Heather. "This is Candace. She works
on my floor. She's one of the interviews, like me."

"Ah, I see." Heather met Candace's gaze. "It's nice to meet

you."

"Where are you from?"
"Lonewood."
"Where's that?"
"Oh, it's far south. Not too far from Evansville, but within

Illinois."

"I've never heard of the town. Are you visiting for a while?"
"Another day, then I have to leave." Saying the words brought

a touch of sadness to Heather.

Candace's smile returned. "Well, I hope you had a good time

here."

Heather looked at Matt and smiled. "The best."
"Do you want another one?" he asked.
"Sure." He let go of Heather's hand and stood. "I'll be back."

He claimed their glasses before he left her alone with the blonde.

Candace waited until Matt left before passing in front of the

table. She looked at the stained chair, wrinkled her nose, then sat on
the edge and faced Heather. "He's a great guy, isn't he?"

"Yeah, he is."

"I love his eyes and his sense of style. He's got great manners,

too. It's so hard to find a good looking man like him."

Heather had suspected Candace liked Matthew, but now she

knew for sure. And that knowledge irritated her.

"Have you known him long?" Heather asked.
"A couple of years. We dated a few times."
Crap. Now Heather wondered if he'd slept with her, or kissed

her, or done anything with her.

"Candace?"
The blonde shifted her gaze. "Hi, William." She stood and

waved him to approach. "How are you?"

Heather watched as she embraced this brown-haired William.

He had large muscles in his arms and chest, adequately displayed by
his tight T-shirt.

"I'm well, thank you. How are you?" His gaze lowered to

Heather. "And who is your pretty friend?"

"William, this is Heather." Candace gestured with her arm.

"Heather, meet William. He works at the office, too."

William reached across the table. "Hi, nice to meet you."
Heather rose and shook his hand. "Hello."
"Any friend of Candace's is a friend of mine." He winked.
Heather pressed her lips together and smiled. Normally she'd

find a cute guy like him worth flirting with, but for some reason she
didn't feel like it.

"Heather has to leave and return home tomorrow. She's from a

town near Evansville," Candace told him.

"Oh, really? Mind if I join you? I'd love to know more."
Before she could answer, he strode around the table and took

the spot where Matt had been sitting. With William on her right, and
Candace on her left, they'd blocked Heather from escaping.

As they both sat, Heather joined them as it was the mannerly

thing to do. But she felt uncomfortable next to William. She crossed
her legs and clasped her hands over them.

"So tell me where you're from exactly and why you came to

visit," William said as he stretched his arm out on the sofa behind her.

"Uh…" Heather swallowed and shifted her attention toward

the bar. Matt stood frozen in time with a drink in each hand. The glare
he aimed at William said plenty.

"I'm from Lonewood, and I'm visiting my sister. But she had

to work on this job, so Matt offered to show me around the town."

As she finished her sentence, he stopped across from her. She

stood and took the drink from his hand.

"William, how are you?" Matt asked with a hint of coldness in

his tone.

"Hey, Mathew. I'm well. How are you? I heard you took some

time off."

Heather pressed her lips to the straw and took a drink. Why

did she have an uneasy feeling stirring within her? To her left, she
suspected Candace liked Matt. To Heather's right, she had a cute man
wanting to flirt with her. Standing in front of her was the man she'd
spent the last four nights with, wrapped in his arms. The idea of
ending the night and going to Matt's seemed better by the second.

Matt slid his hand into his pocket. "I took off to spend time

with Heather. She'd never been to Chicago before. I wanted to make
sure she had a good time." He took a sip from his glass.

"Oh, how nice. How do you know each other?" William

asked.

"Stephen married one of her sisters. I met Heather at the

wedding."

"Oh," Candace said. "So you're related to Stephen's wife."
Heather finished her drink with a slurp. "Yep."
Matt raised his brows. "That was fast. Shall I get another?

Who knows? One of my other coworkers may show up."

Although she sensed he'd intended his comment to be funny,

Heather found little humor in it. She preferred when it was the two of
them dancing together, holding hands and laughing. She wanted to get
back to those happy times. But in reality, she would leave and
probably never see him again. Her fling with him was just that.

"Did you take her to the Tower and show her the view at

night?" William asked.

"No, she hasn't seen it," Matt said.
Candace stood. "We should go since she's leaving soon. She

might not get another chance."

"That's an excellent idea. We should all go." William came to

stand next to her.

Matt looked at Heather. She set her glass on the table. "I

appreciate the offer, but I'm going to head back to my sister's place.
It's been a long day and night."

William touched her shoulder. "You really should see the view

from the top of the Tower. It's amazing at night."

Heather took a step to her left, away from him. "I'm sure it is,

but I think the liquor went straight to my head. I don't want to spoil
anyone's night." She really felt fine, but the pressure from William
was too much. She just wanted to get back to Nikki's condo.

Matt set his glass down. "Come on. I'll make sure you get

home."

"You mean to her sister's," Candace said, earning a frown

from Matt.

Heather passed in front of Candace and met his gaze. "Yes,

my sister's."

Lips pressed together, Matt nodded and stepped back for her

walk by.

"It was nice meeting you both." Heather waved to William,

then Candace. After they said their farewells, she headed for the
stairs. Her vacation had been the best, and she wanted it to remain the
best. To ensure it did, she needed to start distancing herself from Matt
right away. They'd had great sex, good laughs, and shared great
memories. It was unrealistic to think they'd have anything more.

Heather stopped at the check-in booth with Matt. She slid her

jacket over her arms as he claimed his blazer. Minutes later, they sat
silently in the back of a taxi staring out the windows.

"Do you feel okay?" Matt asked softly.
"Yeah." She inhaled a deep breath. "I just made it up to get

away from them."

He twisted to face her. "For the record, I hated—no, loathed—

seeing William touch you. Did you enjoy it?"

She stared into his eyes. "Not particularly. Did you fuck

Candace?"

"No, we went on a few dates. That's it."
"I think she likes you."
He smirked. "Yeah, I know she does."
"Maybe you should go out with her again. You two work

together and live in the same city. Maybe you could hit it off with
her."

"I'm not interested in her, or anyone else."
Why did she suddenly feel a stab to her heart? His words had

confirmed what they shared had been only a fling. So why was she so
upset? She'd wanted to explore and have fun with a man during her
vacation, and she'd fulfilled her goals. She had never planned to fall in
love. Yet, she had. In her heart, she knew she had to go back to
Lonewood and return to her job without seeing him again. Damn it,
she'd hoped he'd at least felt something for her. Apparently, she was
wrong. She shifted her gaze to the window and swallowed the lump in
her throat.

"Heather?"
"What?" She continued looking out the window.
She felt his hand touch hers. He picked it up and held it

between both his hands.

"I'm not interested in anyone else but you."
Slowly, she twisted to face him.
"I think…" He paused. "No, I know I'm in love with you. I felt

a connection the first time I met you. This week confirmed it. I'm in
love with you. I don't want you to leave. Thinking about it makes me
sick. And if I ever see another man touch you, I'm going to break
every bone in his hand."

Heather's heart raced, and blood rushed to her head. A ringing

sounded in her ears. Maybe she hadn't heard him right.

"Did you … just say … you loved me?"
"I do." His lips curved into a big smile. "I want you to move in

with me. I'll help you find a job. We take things slow if you'd like. I
know this seems…"

"Unreal." A tear escaped her eye, and she wiped her cheek.
He let go of her hand and claimed hold of her face. "I want

you to be mine. I want you and only you."

He kissed her lips, and more tears streamed down her cheeks.

She wanted to stay with him, wanted to love him as long as she could.
He made her happy in every way. But what about her job and her
sisters? Could they survive without her? Kate's boyfriend had moved
into the house and had a job. He was helping with expenses. The loss
of Heather's funds really wouldn't cause any hardship. Sure, she'd
miss her sisters, but she had a man who loved her. A man who wanted
to hold her, kiss her, and be a part of her life.

How could she walk away from him?

She placed her hand over his heart and pried her lips from

him. The fast beats within his chest vibrated against her hand.

"Please say you'll stay with me. When I said I'd waited a long

time for you, I meant it. I don't want to lose you."

Heather rubbed her fingers over her face. Staring into his eyes,

she saw love and a man willing to give any and everything for her.
She loved this man.

"I want to collect my bags from my sister's condo."
He nodded. "Okay."
"And I think we should let her know I'm moving in with you."
The widest grin she'd ever seen on him emerged. His eyes

gleamed with happiness. "Really?"

She pressed her lips to his. "Yes, really."
Confidence and love filled her heart and soul. Everything

would work out. In a big city, she felt certain she'd find a job. And
while the distance and not being able to see her sisters regularly
saddened Heather, at least she had Nikki and Matt close by. Soon
enough, she'd have a niece, too. Yes, she would survive just fine, and
the love of her life would be right next to her, holding her hand.

The End

www.dianethorne.com

Other Books by Diane Thorne:

www.evernightpublishing.com/diane-thorne

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Evernight Publishing

www.evernightpublishing.com