Page 17 of Shadows of Before

She blurted out, “I can’t afford…” The rest tapered off in a load of hurt.

Uh-oh. He stepped right in it. Crummy house and car. No tire insurance. He gentled his tone. “Your pay was cut when you were demoted, right?”

He was still getting his salary while the Secret Service investigated his mistake. He’d also inherited money from his father’s insurance.

And she was destitute.

“Yes.”

“Where’d you live before?”

“I had a little house on Second Street. It was small, but it was mine.” The last word came out hoarse.

“I’m sorry. My comment was insensitive.”

“You were mean.” She shrugged again. “But you’re right. My place is a dump.”

“Why don’t you fix it up?”

“It isn’t mine.”

“Landlords usually like it when people make improvements.”

She said nothing.

“If you can’t afford paint I—”

“Shut up, Will. This discussion is over.”

Soon, they drove into his dad’s driveway.Hisnow.

Her eyes widened. “Holy cow. I forgot how huge this place is.”

“Yeah. My parents wanted a big family. Didn’t happen. Come on.” He got out and walked to the door from the garage. He wasashamed for how he treated her—and didn’t like the feeling. He led her through the kitchen, the living room and to the stairs. Once on the second floor, they entered a bedroom.

“This yours, when you were little?”

“What made you think that?” he asked sarcastically. “A poster of Pamela Anderson? The mixed tapes over there? The small desk?”

“Will, I don’t understand why you’re being so mean—”

He grabbed her to him. And went on impulse. He took her mouth. The worst part of him wanted to dominate. To scare her. But she hadn’t done anything wrong. What was wrong with him?

He gentled the kiss and coaxed her mouth open. She tasted of peppermint toothpaste. She went up on tiptoes and met his lips with fervor. Still, he kept up the sweet assault. He couldn’t help himself. She got into it too, grabbed onto his shirt. For balance?

He delved deeper. Explored the inner recesses of her mouth. She moaned. He groaned.

They drew back and with gazes locked, they undressed. Then he scooped her up. She said with a voice full of desire, “The bed’s right there.”

He said, “I know,” as he eased her down gently. Covered her with his body. Buried his face in her neck and inhaled her. Worked his way over and took tiny love bites out of her lips.

She shook her head wildly, forcing him away. “Will, we can’t. Not this way.”

“Oh, yes, baby. We can.”

She pushed him off with a force he didn’t expect. He fell to the side.

She swung her feet to the floor. “I won’t do it. Not this way.”

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