https://books2read.com/SightDream
This excerpt comes about halfway through A Sight to Dream Of. Sam and Marsha have been attracted to each other since they met, but they each have had some very good reasons for trying to resist one another.
Tonight, those reasons aren't going to be enough to keep them apart. And it starts like this:
They’d sat here for over an hour, just talking. He’d asked her questions and listened—really listened—to her answers. And yet, the way he’d looked at her—
Surely, there could be no mistaking that expression in his eyes. He’d wanted to do more than talk. Marsha hugged the feeling to her, enjoying the warmth and happiness it brought. It had been such a long time since a man had looked at her that way. It had been a long time, too, since she’d felt anywhere near this good.
So, why are you leaving, then? A mutinous little voice inside her head whispered. But of course, she was leaving. She had to. It was the smart thing to do. The only thing to do.
You mean it’s the chickenshit thing to do, don’t you? You’re just running scared.
Hell, yes, she was scared. She had every reason to be. How could she even think about getting involved with Sam when, in a few short weeks, he’d be gone? If she were honest with herself, she’d have to admit she was already half in love with him. If she allowed herself to get in any deeper, she’d just be opening herself up to a world of hurt.
Never again.
However much she wanted to stay, it was still better for her to go home. Now. While she still felt good. Before desire could blossom into neediness. Before the urge to cling became too strong.
Oh, yes, so much better, the voice taunted. To go back to your cold, lonely house. And crawl into your cold, lonely bed. And get on with your cold, lonely life. How long will that satisfy you?
Oh, God. She shuddered at the emptiness of that vision, wrapping her arms around herself as a wrenching pain caught at her chest.
I can’t go home yet. I can’t. I want this too much.
A sudden burst of insight had stopped her in mid pace. Life was offering her a gift. She could accept it or not, but she couldn’t keep pretending it wasn’t exactly what she wanted. And she couldn’t protect herself from being hurt by walking away from it, either.
Walking away was going to hurt just as much in the long run. Maybe even more. Sam had come into her life for a reason. And whatever that reason might be, she didn’t think it was to offer advanced lessons in sublimating her sex drive and resisting temptation. At least, she sure hoped those weren’t the lessons life was trying to give her. Because if they were, she was just about to flunk out—in truly spectacular fashion.
A sound behind her made her start. Sam was back. She turned to find him dressed and ready to go, tucking his shirt into his pants, not looking even the least bit put out about what had to be a major inconvenience. She gazed at him wonderingly, as if she were seeing him for the very first time.
He was a good man; warm, considerate, thoughtful. And sexy as hell. And she wanted him so badly, it was a wonder she hadn’t thrown herself at him days ago.
“Listen,” she said, speaking quickly, before her courage failed her. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want—”
He frowned, silencing her with a glance. “I thought we settled this? I told you it’s not that big a deal.”
“I know. We did.” She took a deep breath, uncomfortably aware of the thudding of her heart within her chest. “And it is a big deal, actually, but that’s not the point. What I wanted to say was.... if the offer’s still open, I’d like to stay.”
“What?” His eyebrows rose, and he looked at her doubtfully. “You’re not going to tell me you’ve decided you can trust yourself to resist me after all, are you? ’Cause I don’t think I like that idea very much.”
She laughed nervously. “Actually, I, I guess I was hoping that it was you I couldn’t trust?” She shook her head. “No, wait. This isn’t coming out right. What I mean is...” her voice trailed off into silence as she caught sight of the look on his face.
He looked...perplexed, she finally decided, and maybe a little startled.
“What do you mean?” he asked, guardedly.
She swallowed hard. His voice sounded so cool. Was it possible she had somehow misread the situation? What if he didn’t want her, after all? What if he had only been kidding around when he said... shit, what had he said? She frantically replayed the conversation they’d had. Something about...oh, dear God...something about her being safe from him, wasn’t it? She felt the blood rush to her face so fast it made her ears roar.
“I don’t know, Sam. I, I don’t know what I mean. I’m sorry. I should go. Forget I said anything at all.”
“Marsha, wait.” He was suddenly right in front of her, and her breath caught, almost painfully in her throat as he lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. His own eyes glittered, fiercely questioning, but his hands and his voice were gentle. “Is this what you want?”
Like the other kisses, this one swept her up almost immediately on a raging wave of desire. But there was also a difference this time, she quickly realized. This kiss was infinitely hotter, inexplicably more erotic. As if he wanted there to be no mistake, wanted her to know exactly what she would be getting into if she stayed. She was trembling with need when he raised his head finally and looked at her.
“Well?” he asked so softly, she could barely hear him over the pounding of her heart, but there was no mistaking the question in his eyes. “Is it?”
“Yes,” she whispered tremulously. “Please.”
https://books2read.com/SightDream
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