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I haven't seen James in so long and I don't know how to react. I don't know what to do, what to say. The only thing I do know is that after nearly two years, he still makes my heart beat so hard, the way it did the first time we met.
James turns to look at me. He smiles. He looks like he did the day I left him, wearing dark jeans and a polo shirt that cups his biceps. His tattoos are on display and he's still rocking the silver fox and beard look.
Fucking man is too good-looking for his own good.
We're standing on a street in one of the busiest cities in the world. People are rushing all around us, cursing that we're standing in their way. Horns are blaring and the ground is vibrating from the underground train. Yet, all I see is him, the man I've loved since the moment I met him. James Riviera.
He studies me, his eyes roaming my face. He takes a step toward me.
"Hey, sweetheart."
I choke back a swallow, eyes softening. My heart is about to pound out of my chest.
"Hey," is all I can think of saying.
"I’ve missed you so fucking much, Aubrey. I haven't been the same without you."
My jaw is trembling and my lips part. I have to replay his words in my head because it's almost too good to be true.
"I've missed you too. I'm so sorry about everything. I never wanted it to end the way it did, but it had to. And I refuse to lose Natalie again, or go through suffering a broken heart the way I did when we parted ways. So tell me now if you want something more or if this is just for fun, because I have to be honest and tell you I don’t think my heart could handle another hammer shattering it again to a million pieces—"
James yanks me forward and brings his lips to mine. "Open up for me."
I don't hesitate.
He thrusts his tongue into my mouth and he kisses me deep, stroking me with untamed passion. We both moan in unison and clutch each other. Strong arms wind around my back and James tugs me closer, kissing me hard, kissing me like we have a lot—everything—to make up for. He presses his body to mine and I revel in it. I want to get lost inside this man like we never left each other. His fingers tangle in my hair, then he fists a chunk of it in his hand. I melt into his chest, kissing him back with the same intensity.
"God, how I've fucking missed you," he says, breaking the kiss. He's breathing into me just as heavily as I am him.
I look back and forth into his steel-blue eyes. My fingers are shaking and my knees are weak, but it doesn't matter because I have the man I adore more than anything in the world holding me up.
"I never stopped wanting you, James. I thought about you every day, hoping I'd see your private call on my phone. It never came." My jaw trembles. "It never came," I say again, this time my voice cracking.
Aged eyes soften with regret. He kisses my lips once more and I breathe in his woodsy, bergamot scent I've missed so much.
"You have no idea how many times I dialed your number only to hang up. Every damn day was a struggle to keep my distance. I've been holding out hope that in time we would find each other again."
Pressing my lips to his, I softly whisper, "We met by a cruel chance of fate. Becoming your lover was part of the job, but falling for you… I had no control. I didn't stand a chance."
"Do you remember when I told you about moments and how they're priceless?" he asks, brushing his nose with mine. I nod. "I want to make the rest of them with you."
I draw in a breath before he kisses me deeply, passionately, setting my world ablaze for him.
"Let me take you to dinner. I know this little underground place where we can sip ridiculously expensive cognac and talk all night long."
I smile up at him. "I'd love that. And I even have the perfect dress to wear."
The End
Turn the page to read the first chapter of Balance, book 1 in the Off Balance series.
One
"Absolutely not!" My father's harsh voice boomed around his home office.
"You haven't even heard what I have to say," I argued my point, not settling for anything less than his full attention.
"I don't care what you have to say. You can talk until you're blue in the face. You are not moving to New Hampshire. End of discussion."
