Page 19 of Stripped Bare

“I’m not going anywhere,” he vowed.“Not now.This.What we have only comes around once in a lifetime.No matter what tomorrow or the next day or the day after that brings, I’m right here at your side.Maybe, it’s too soon to say I’m in love with you, but I can admit I’m falling.Hard and fast.For you.Maybe, with you?”

Fresh tears fell from her eyes.When had she ever been this emotionally exposed?Never.She’d never let anyone see her this way.

“With me,” she agreed, taking a chance and letting him know she was falling just as hard and fast as he was.

He kissed her then, soft and slow, while they continued to make love.When they finally fell asleep, it was wrapped in each other’s arms.She clung to Shep as if he were the lifeline that would keep her safe in whatever storm the following day brought.Maybe, it was too soon, but when something felt this right, there was no way she’d walk away.

Chapter Nine

Stace made a call to the police department and let Shep and Blake pick up the car while she and Ally stayed at the farmhouse.Her nerves were raw this morning.It was far too easy to recall all the times she’d told family members how she needed them to stay calm.It was hard to follow her own advice when it hit close to home.

“You and Shep seem to have grown pretty close,” Ally said and Stace wondered if this was the other woman’s way of getting her mind off what they may or may not find once Chloe’s car arrived.

“I like him,” Stace admitted, trying to keep the clip of temper out of her voice.

“No judgment here.”Ally spread her hands wide and shook her head.“It was the same for me with Blake, and despite the issues we dealt with in the beginning, there’s never been anyone else since I first laid eyes my fiancé.”

“Not even Shep?”Stace wanted to see if Ally had ever felt more than friendship.

“No.I love him, but I’ve never been in love with him.Shep is an amazing man.He accepts without question, which is a rarity in my life.He was there for me when I needed a friend.Now, he’s one of my best friends.It was inevitable since he and Blake are close.I’m hoping for the opportunity to get to know you better, too.Maybe, we can be friends.”

“I’d like that.”Stace paused then asked what was on her mind.“Did you know he was in love with you?”

Ally smiled but shook her head again.“He was never in love with me.He was in love with what I represented, the closeness Blake and I have.I think Shep’s wanted that type of relationship for a long time.”

Stace nodded but didn’t say anything.

“Hopefully, you’ll come back to Legacy and get to know everyone,” Ally continued.“Shep has a large extended family.I know you met a few of the guys when you went to the offices, but you need to meet them out of office.Meet their better halves and the rest of the family.”

“I’d like that.I really would.But I don’t know what the next few days, the next few weeks, will bring.I don’t know where Shep and I are headed.”

“But you do know the two of you are headed somewhere,” Ally continued.“That says something right there.”

“It does,” Stace admitted with a nod.“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.I’m guessing it’s about what I do.Trust me, you won’t offend me if that’s what you’re worried about.Curiosity is understandable.”

“Judgment isn’t,” Stace said.When the other woman didn’t comment, Stace continued.“What is it like?Being able to do what you do?”

“It’s a gift and a curse,” Ally answered.“People want to use you and yet often treat you like you have the plague or are in league with the devil once it’s all said and done.”

“Some people can’t handle what they don’t understand,” Stace offered.

“You’re right,” Ally said.“I’ve never made friends easily.I was mostly a loner before I met Blake.Blake,” she sighed.“Well, meeting him changed my life.”

“It sounds like you’re very happy now,” Stace said.

“I’m fantastic,” Ally said.“I was worried about making so much noise last night, but I heard you guys after we were done so…” Ally let her sentence dangle, a grin covering her face.

Stace blushed, feeling her face flushing with warmth.“Yeah, well,” she sighed.“Crap.To be honest, I wasn’t even thinking about you being in the house.”

Ally laughed, and Stace couldn’t help but join in.Ally had successfully helped her to relax and get her mind to quit obsessing over what they were going to do today.It was still there, but it wasn’t overwhelming her like it had been.

“Thank you.”

“No matter what happens next, I’d like to be friends,” Ally said.“I’ll do everything I can to help you find your sister.I promise you that.”

Stace understood the unsaid dead or alive part of that vow.As if she’d read something on Stace’s face, Ally took her hands and gave them a squeeze.

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