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“Not too much right?” He winked.
Her breath hitched. “No.”
He helped her sit up, but he ran his thumb over her hand. “I am sorry about that night, Heather.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I do. It’s been a while since I cared about someone, but I do.” He rubbed her chin with his thumb. “I don’t think I can stop. I… think I want to risk it.”
Heather dipped her chin to her chest, and he moved his hand away. “I’m not good at this,” she said.
“We can take it slow. That will be best for me too.” His voice sounded hopeful.
“I haven’t been in a serious relationship before.” She exhaled. “I kept to myself in high school and college, occasionally having a date for prom and school dances when I went. I… have dated no one past… six weeks.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Why six weeks?”
She shrugged. “It’s easier to let go.”
His lips parted as if he wanted to say more, but he stopped himself. Instead, he squeezed her hand and then released it. “You can tell me the rest when you’re ready. I know about bad memories.”
Heather breathed a little easier. “Thank you.”
His eye contact remained strong. It was as if Allen could see into her soul. Even his touch was lethal, sending warmth throughout her body.
“We should get back to your workout,” he said.
She cleared her throat. “We should.”
He inched closer. “And yet...” He leaned over cupping her cheek. “I’ve been waiting to do this all day.”
Heather closed her eyes, her heart racing. Her brain once again told her to pull away, but she ignored it. His hand ran down her neck again, leaving a trail of heat behind. Allen barely grazed her lips with his when Tinsel’s barking filled the room. They both turned their faces to look at her dog. She squinted her eyes at him, but her smile gave her away. “Would you mind letting him out in the backyard?”
Allen smiled, stood to his feet, and let Tinsel outside for her. Heather touched her cheeks, feeling the heat from her face.
Chapter 16
“So… how did it go today with therapy?” Sonia asked.
Heather sipped her complimentary herbal tea and set it to the side and relaxed further in the hot tub. The jets did wonders for her knee, soothing her muscles. Air whooshed through the vents, and she inhaled the aroma of lavender, grapefruit, and mint. When Sonia got off early from work and suggested a massage at Abigail's Spa, Heather jumped at the chance to get out of the house. “It went well.”
Allen left her home after their session, promising to call her later. He attempted to kiss her once more, but his boss called. He had to leave.
“You like this guy don’t you?” her sister asked.
Heather shook her head. “I’m not supposed to.”
“Why not? This is a good thing. I’ve never seen you like this over a guy.”
“I want to try, but what if…”
“Have you opened the letters yet?”
Heather jerked her head to face Sonia. That was a turn in their conversation. “No, and I’m not going to. Why? Have you?”
Sonia’s mouth twisted before answering. “I’ve read a few and they make sense. Dad and Mom’s problems had nothing to do with us. He thought he was doing—”
“I don’t care. He left us, Sonia. You didn’t see Mom that night, but I did. She worked two jobs to put us through school while he ran off and did whatever he wanted to do. Now he’s writing letters thinking it can make it all better. I’m not buying it and you shouldn’t either.”
