Page 97 of Wandering Souls

It surprised her how hard it was to leave. With all of the other guests gone, it’d been only her and her family, enjoying each other’s company and chatting about Damien’s plans for New Year’s celebrations.It’ll just be us,he’d said,I want to ring in the new year with my nearest and dearest.She’d agreed without hesitation, simultaneously realizing how much it was going to hurt when she left for Queensland.

“You’re quiet,” Ray said softly, touching her hand. “Everything okay?”

How could it not be? Abi smiled, turned her hand over and pressed her palm to his. “Better than okay.”

“You looked like you enjoyed yourself today?”

Abi nodded. “Did you?”

He squeezed her hand. “Of course. I spent Christmas with my sister and Millie, and you. I had everything a man could want.”

The depth of affection in his eyes mesmerized her. She’d go so far as to call it love, which was dangerous for them both. Part of her whispered she should never have let them get this close. Neither of them needed the complication of her leaving. Another part of her wanted to strangle that voice.

Ray’s unconditional acceptance of her and his unending support were priceless. Without that, she might not have been as receptive to the advances her family made toward her. Without him, she might have spent her days so focused on recovery that she forgot to live.

“Ray,” she breathed, unsure of what to say.

He lifted her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles. “Let’s go inside.”

Abi let out a small groan. “My feet hurt.”

He chuckled. “I could carry you?”

Hot, sexy and sweet. How did she get so lucky? “There’s no need, really. Come on.”

They left the car and once inside, Ray led her to the sofa where he sat her down and removed her sandals. Kneeling on the floor, he took her right foot and began gently massaging it. She giggled at the initial contact but his firm pressure chased away the tickles and sent relief up her leg.

“Good?”

“That is fabulous.” Abi leaned back and let the tension drain from her muscles.

He paid attention to her left foot before moving to her calf and crawling closer. By the time he reached her thigh, he knelt between her knees. Dressed in his smart casual shorts and polo shirt, Ray could double for a GQ cover. The intensity in his eyes sent a thrill through her but fear tempered the sensation.

Fear of hurting him.

Fear of being hurt by what she felt for him.

“What is it?”

It scared her that he could he be so attuned to her emotions. It was like he knew what she thought as she thought it. Abi opened her mouth speak but he shook his head and tugged her into his arms.

“Forget I asked. I know we’re on borrowed time. We need to enjoy it while it lasts.”

She thought he’d try and talk her into staying; convince her that going back to the Army wasn’t in her best interests. He didn’t. In fact, no one had. It was as if everyone had accepted her choice. Where she expected to have to fight for what she wanted, they actively encouraged her to chase her dreams. The lack of acrimony was comforting, and yet surprisingly disconcerting.

Ray cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers in a slow, lingering kiss that devoured anything she might have said. The sensual skin on skin contact stirred need deep in her core and the desire to show him how much she’d come to appreciate him in her life burned bright.

“Stay,” she demanded.

He smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You don’t have to ask, honey.”

Wrapping her arms and legs around him, she plastered her body to his in a not-so-subtle hint of what she wanted.

Abi winked. “I wasn’t asking.”

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