Once in a Lifetime by Gwynne Forster

Author:Gwynne Forster
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Kimani Press
Published: 2010-04-27T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

After dinner, with Tara asleep and the day spent, Alexis stood with Telford on the balcony off her room and looked out at the dark waters of the Atlantic Ocean. In the glow of moonlight, the waves danced ferociously as if at war with each other, and she said as much to Telford.

His arm slipped around her waist and tugged gently. “I was thinking that the waves were vying for the moon’s affection. What do you make of that?”

He’s here with me because he wants to be. Maybe I’ll be sorry, but I want to be alive. He’ll help me to achieve what I’ve missed. I know he’s different from Jack. I love him, and I’m going to trust him. Lord, please don’t let it sour. I’m going for it.

She leaned against him. “Anything personal in that statement? I mean, are you vying for anyone’s affection?” It was a leading question, and that was what she intended.

He put both hands on her waist and turned her to face him. “In a way, yes. But I’m after more than affection; I can get that from Henry and my brothers. I’m after you. All of you. And I’m not going to resort to tricks to get what I want.”

Unprepared for that declaration, she gazed at him, tonguetied, but only momentarily. “Tricks? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean I’m not going to try seducing you into doing anything. You told me you needed me, and I haven’t kept my feelings for you a secret.”

“I’m a wounded bird, Telford.”

Holding her close and stroking her as though his hands would heal her, he whispered, “I know that, because you’ve told me in many ways. Do you trust me?”

“Yes,” she said, and buried her face against his chest.

With his index finger, he tipped her chin, urging her to look at his face. “I’m egalitarian. You know that. But when you lie in my arms, let me lead you.” His face softened, lights danced in his eyes and she could see that the thought fired up his emotions.

“When we get it perfect,” he went on, “you can have your way with me all you want. Trust me, I’ll be your willing victim.”

She’d think about the meaning of that later. Right now, she had to level with him. “I always felt used, be-because my interests were never considered.”

He sucked in his breath. “I halfway figured something like that. And there’s never been anyone else?”

Telling him about it wasn’t as painful as she’d thought it would be. She shook her head. “No one.”

“When you’re ready, you’ll come to me. Try to stop thinking about that phase of your life. Tara is a product of it, but she isn’t part of it. It’s over.”

“What makes you so sure I’ll come to you?”

“Because you have the courage to do anything you want to do. Don’t think I’m being noble; I am not. You’re very important to me. I want to show you a new world, and I want you to be sure you’re ready for it, because it will change our lives.

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