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Introductions go okay--or, as well as they can go with four adult dogs, a puppy, and avery excitedkid. Still, I finally manage to get Alex to go to bed, the new dog taking up a spot on his bed with another of our dogs, Bunny. He's nodding off as I tuck him in, the blue light of his nightlight in the corner, but he grabs my sleeve as I get up.
"What is it, honey?" I ask.
"Don't leave me again," he whispers.
He's half-asleep; maybe he's partially in a dream. Still, it breaks my heart to hear that from him.
And I know that, in all likelihood, that was my last rescue trip...at least for a little while.
"I'm not going anywhere, baby," I soothe him. "I'll always be with you. No matter what."
I stroke his hair back from his face, and I watch as he drifts off to sleep. He'll sleep through the night--he always does--but I still leave the door cracked open, just in case he needs me.
I take a step out into the hallway, and for a second, I just breathe. There's a family picture of me and David and Alex on the wall across from me, and I stare at David's face and spin my wedding ring on my finger. I can hear the soft sounds of someone in the kitchen--Evan having some water and getting to know the dogs--and I imagine for a fleeting moment that it's David standing there.
That he's alive and that the past five years have gone very,verydifferently.
But David's gone.
Past.
That doesn't mean I have to love him any less. I can hold both these men in my heart—David, who's gone, and Evan, who might still leave.
And David…he would want me to live in the moment. To be happy.
I square my shoulders and walk down the hall, finding Evan standing in the warm glow of a single lamp over the kitchen sink. He looks over at me as I come in, our husky--Kona--trotting over and licking my hand. I scratch Kona behind the ears and stare at Evan, my mind clearer than it's been in years.
"Hey," he says. "I know you told me not to ask you this question...but are you okay?"
"Yeah," I say. "I am."
And for once, I mean it.
Chapter eleven
Sam
Idon'tthinkIcan take another step forward.
Evan stands in the kitchen, looking wrong and right--like the most handsome man I've ever seen, but also like he's not quite supposed to be here. He has a glass of water in hand, and he puts it down to round the corner before walking toward me. He's tall and broad-shouldered, and his shadow falls across my face before he comes to stand in front of me.
He puts his hands on my shoulders and his brow furrows as he searches my eyes.
"We don't have to do this," he says quietly. "I'm sure it's different now that we're off the road."
I lift my hands to rest against his chest, gazing up at him. "No...I want to."
Desire thrums between my legs, pulsing in time with my heart. This is the moment on the edge of the cliff, right before I hurl myself off the precipice.
And I know Evan's going to catch me.
He cups my face in his hands and drags his thumb over my lips, and sensation rockets through me.
I close my eyes and lean into his touch, savoring the feel of his calloused hands against my skin. His lips descend on mine, stealing my breath away. I moan softly, and he pulls me closer, deepening the kiss. Our tongues dance together, exploring, tasting.
I feel his hardness pressing against me, and a delicious ache starts to build inside of me. Evan breaks the kiss and looks into my eyes, his own darkened with desire.
"Are you sure?" he asks again, his voice rough.
