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It was late, but sheneeded her mother. As soon as she stepped outside and into theparking lot, she opened her car door and sat there without moving.She’d let him kiss her, and it felt like nothing she’dever experienced before. She’d laughingly told Michael she washolding out for true love, 'the one' and she meant it at the time.
She’d wastedyears with her ex and even though she knew deep down she didn’tlove him; she’d still stayed and would have married him out ofconvenience. She’d dodged the bullet there and yes, she hadlost her company because of him, but she was grateful that he was outof her life.
Now, she was in deeptrouble. She’d felt it since she first laid eyes on him and hadtried to make it go away. She told herself it was just a crush, anatural reaction to a very attractive and powerful man.
A sort of empathy forwhat he went through as a child. Her maternal instincts kicking in.But tonight had cemented what she already knew. She’d fallen inlove with Nash Hamilton.
"Oh, God."She whispered, her hands creeping up to cover her face. Aside fromthe fact that he was out of her league, he was hard and cynical andthere was a feeling of cruelty shrouding him that she recognized.
He would and couldnever love her. Even now, he was probably thinking up ways of gettingrid of her without a lawsuit. At the very least, he was going toavoid her because he’d made the error of kissing an employee.
She’d felt asif she was melting like wax when introduced to a flame. Even now, hernipples were raw and tender, and the hard, lean length of his bodystill felt as if it was pressed against hers.
She’d felt theevidence of his arousal and had almost begged him to take her.Putting her hands on the steering wheel, she took a breath to steadyherself before driving out of the parking lot.
*****
“Mama. You lookwell.” She’d composed herself enough to smile at thewoman playing cards with another resident.
"Why wouldn't Ibe?" The question was asked in surprise and the pleasure atseeing her, lit up her face. "Honey, you know Gillian, don'tyou?"
"Of course, Ido." Allison smiled at the serene looking white-haired woman whogave her a vague look out of watery, blue eyes. "Gilly, youremember my Allison?"
Gillian nodded as sheshuffled the deck. "Your mother cheats."
"Oh."Clapping her hands over her mouth, Allison sank down next to hermother on the sofa. "I know."
Rachel responded witha serene smile of her own, a twinkle in her # eyes. "You’resupposed to be on my side and Gilly doesn’t know what she’stalking about. Would you like to join us, honey?"
"I always lose."
"We’replaying Gin Rummy. It was always your favorite."
She looked at hermother in surprise that she remembered. "It is. Just one gameand then I’d like to talk to you in private."
"I hope it'snothing serious."
"On thecontrary." Smiling at Gillian, Allison waited for her to dealthe cards.
"Of course, I’dlove to spend the holidays with you." Eyes glowing in delight,Rachel plumped up the pillows on her narrow bed before slidingbetween the sheets. Allison could see the medication was takingeffect and didn’t want to stay longer than necessary. Hermother had had her evening snack and was now ready to sleep.
"I’ll talkto the director and clear it with her."
"You know thatwon’t be a problem." Reaching out, she took her daughter'shand. "Is everything okay, dear?”
“Of course. Whywould you ask that?”
“You looktired.”
Allison laughed andshook her head. “That’s not a very flattering thing tosay.”
“I’m yourmother; I’m supposed to tell you the truth."
"Oh, Mama,’She murmured wistfully. “I wished things were different.”
“I’vebeen thinking about your father and brother a lot lately."
"You have?"
