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school, I was determined to succeed, to show everyone Ric Emerson
knew what he was doing. I changed everything, the way I looked, what I
did& It seemed to be about success and money, but it wasn t, not really.
It was about validation and self-worth.
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Donna Alward
Yes. The word came out forcefully and she laughed a little. That s it
exactly. It s about proving what s in here. She pressed a fist to her heart,
then dropped it.
She straightened and turned her head away from him, but not before
Ric got a glimpse of her eyes vivid, passionate. She pointed towards a
weeping birch, diverting his attention. It s been a while since I ve been
here. That tree has grown. I d forgotten about it.
He took her hand and guided her beneath the drooping branches, the
tiny leaves forming a filmy curtain around them. He stood behind her,
heart pumping with trepidation for what he was about to do.
I didn t forget. His lips were close to her ear and he felt her shiver,
releasing the warm scent of her perfume. You don t remember?
She didn t answer, and her pinkening cheeks told him she recalled
the moment as clearly as he. He put his hands on her upper arms,
feeling the warmth of her skin, touching her at last.
Ten years ago at my graduation brunch. I kissed you, right here.
I know. Her words were thick and he turned her to face him.
Katie s eyes were wide, staring up at him, bluebell-blue and beautiful
and he paused, seeing uncertainty there. But he saw longing, too, and
before he made the mistake of thinking too much, he cupped her face
and lowered his lips to hers.
She was warm and sweet and his body coursed with joy as she
responded, opening her lips. She tasted like orange and strawberry and
the sharp tang of good champagne. Heart soaring, he pulled her closer so
their bodies touched and he felt her soft curves flush against him. Her
right hand rested on his arm, while the other slid up, twining in his
curls. Still the kiss went unbroken; it grew deep and reckless and he
moaned into her mouth.
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The Girl Most Likely
The vibration of her replying groan reverberated through his head as
he turned, leaning back against the trunk of the tree, the cool bark
digging in through his shirt as her body pressed against him. This was
the Katie he d always imagined. Free, giving, passionate, desiring. His
head spun with the taste, the scent of her, and he moved his right leg to
the side, making a place to cradle her between his legs.
As they made contact, he rubbed his hips against her, letting her feel
his arousal.
Abruptly she broke away and took several steps back. His lips were
swollen and his mind cloudy with desire, but he clearly understood her
when she gasped, No.
Katie, he began, running his hand through his hair with
frustration. So close! They d grown reckless and nothing had ever felt
more right!
No! Her voice was stronger now, definite in its censure and it
stopped him cold. Her feet kept stepping backward and her face was
tight with distress. Eyes, wild and bright, accused him. I can t do this,
she choked out, tears streaming down her cheeks. I told you in the
beginning& business only. Why do you keep doing this to me?
She reached the hedge and he started to move forward. He had to
stop her. If nothing else he had to tell her now how he felt. If she only
understood&
Stop, she commanded.
He paused.
This is not what I want. He saw new tears in the corners of her
eyes. No, she said again, and spinning on her heel, she ran across the
grass, back to the party.
Ric leaned back against the trunk of the tree. It was probably better
to let her go than chase after her and make a scene in the middle of the
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Donna Alward
party. Ten years had passed and nothing had changed. What was left of
his heart was shattered and laying in pieces around his feet. He d known
this could happen, he had! He knew by making a move on Katie, he was
risking everything. But somehow he d thought what they had between
them transcended what had come before. Wrong. He d trusted her
enough that he d been willing to put his heart back on the line and try
again. Only it had blown up in his face.
He closed his eyes, thumping the back of his head against the tree.
Hell, she d been more gracious when they were kids. He d kissed her
then, too, but at least all she d done is drawn back, smiled a little and
said thank you . But perhaps he should have realized she couldn t
change after all. Days later, he d asked her to the prom and the
humiliation, the pain was still fresh. She d laughed at him, and the
words still taunted him.
He hadn t been good enough then, and he obviously wasn t good
enough now. He saw again the accusation in her eyes before she ran.
How could you, they d said. She told him in the beginning their
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