A Brand New Ending (Page 42)

“I’ll have it done in two months, by April first. You need to line up the best, Rob. This is important to me—probably the most important project I’ve done.”

“So you’ve told me dozens of times. I’m not deaf, Kimpton. Give me a ring if you need anything. In the meantime, I’ll get the players in play. Now go write.”

He clicked off, then rubbed his head and looked over the section he’d just written. He was starting to view the past differently—as if a pair of 3-D glasses had been ripped off his vision and painful memories were now clearer.

Like when Ophelia had left him.

He remembered entering their apartment to find it empty. Her clothes gone from the closet. Her scent lingering in his nostrils. An eerie silence in the air.

He’d been so enraged, so full of raw pain that he’d blamed her for running away and not giving them a chance. Now, looking back, he wondered if she’d given him so many chances, whether he’d broken her trust.

If he had come home that night when he’d promised, would it have changed their entire future?

Her taste still lingered on his lips. His dick hardened at the thought of her sweet body opening up to him as he reclaimed her. Last night had showed him the most important realization of all.

He was still in love with her.

He’d never fallen out of love with her. The past eight years had revolved around doing anything to try and forget what they’d had, but now that he had her back in his bed and his life, he only wanted more.

This time, it would be different. He needed to gain back her trust and get her to understand he wasn’t leaving.

This time, he’d choose her.

Ophelia stepped into the house and held her breath.

Straining her ears, she caught the sound of low tapping from upstairs. She sagged in relief. Yes, she was a coward, but she couldn’t face Kyle just yet.

There was no way she’d be able to step into her room and see him naked and sprawled out on her bed without jumping him.

She headed to the kitchen and unloaded the bags. She’d been at the Market to greet Fran at opening and score some of her fresh, hot cinnamon rolls and breakfast quiches. It would make her morning easier if she could just supplement them with fresh-fruit parfaits and smoked bacon for the guests. She didn’t have the focus to deal with too much this morning.

All she could think of was Kyle.

Ophelia groaned and began making the coffee. Last night had been incredible. Perfect. Soul-stirring.

And it couldn’t happen again.

Being back in his arms made her realize her emotions hadn’t really changed. He was still the only man who commanded her body and heart.

Oh, how she’d tried desperately to fall for someone else over the past decade.

She’d gone on plenty of dates and had two brief affairs, but no man seemed to interest her.

It became easier to fill her life with other things that brought her happiness.

But Kyle’s life was back in Hollywood. That meant, eventually, he’d leave her again. If she opened herself up to him, she didn’t know if she’d recover when he left.

“Avoiding me?”

Gasping, she whirled around and slammed into the edge of the counter. “You scared me! Why are you sneaking around?”

He cocked his head and stretched out his arms to prop his palms against the wall. The cotton of his shirt pulled against those hard muscles, then molded lovingly to his lean frame. A pair of jeans hung low on his hips. His hair was still mussed from last night. He was barefoot.

Immediately, her body piqued to attention. Her core heated and softened. Her nipples poked against her bra for release. Her skin got itchy and tight.

And damn if the man didn’t give her a half smirk, his lip quirking upward in arrogance. She’d never been able to hide her reaction to him, even after all these years.

“Maybe ’cause you snuck out of bed this morning without a word or even a note. Made me feel all sad and cheap.”

She glowered. “I highly doubt it. I wanted to get to the store so I wouldn’t have to worry about breakfast.”

“I would’ve helped you.”

She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I can take care of myself and my inn.”

He quirked a brow. “Never said you can’t. Just wanted the opportunity to show you last night meant more than simply scratching an itch.”

She tried not to fidget as she regarded him coolly. “Last night was a way to close a chapter of our past. I don’t regret it, but it won’t happen again.”

“I think it will.”

Her mouth dropped open. “What did you say?”

He pushed off the wall and stalked over to her. She hurriedly backed up.

“I said I think it will happen again. Hell, I’m going to work my ass off to make sure it happens a few times a day—and all night long.”

Heat flushed her cheeks. Her belly dropped. “You can’t say stuff like that! Last night was a onetime thing. I figured we’d get back to normal in the morning.”

A low chuckle escaped his lips. “Baby, we have never been normal. We eloped at eighteen, and I’ve never fallen for another woman since. The moment we’re in the same room together, all I want to do is touch you.”

“No—touching is not a good idea. Let’s just try to get back to a normal relationship.”

“We’re still legally married, and I’m living here for the next two months. What type of normal are you talking about?”

She blew out a breath as her back hit the refrigerator, blocking any further retreat. “A new normal. We go back to the original rules, where we stay out of each other’s way. We refile for the divorce and put this whole thing behind us.”

He loomed over her. His musky scent hit her nostrils, forcing her to bite back a moan.

Why did he have to be so damn sexy and virile and masculine? Why did her legs buckle and her mind spin the moment he got near?

She curled her hands into tight fists to keep from reaching for him and tried to rally.

“Don’t want to put this behind us,” he drawled. “I want to offer you something better. A new arrangement.”

“No.”

He bent his head, and his breath rushed against her cheek. “You didn’t hear it yet. You’ll like it.”

“No.”

He laughed softly, his hand pushing her hair back. “God, you’re hot when you’re stubborn. See, here’s the truth. I can’t keep my hands off you while I’m here. I don’t want to, and I don’t think you want me to, either.”

“You’re wrong. I got you out of my system.”

He tipped her chin up and forced her to meet his gaze. Amusement glinted in the forest-green depths. “Did you enjoy last night, baby?”

Oh. God.

She struggled to form words in her suddenly dry mouth.

She wished she could lie or play it casual, but there was no way she could pretend their time together wasn’t earth-shattering.

She settled for keeping it short and to the point. “Yes.”

His lips tugged into a half smile. “Do you honestly think we can live in the same house together and pretend we’re strangers? Pretend I didn’t touch you and kiss you and make love to you for hours?”

She hated the weakness of her body and mind. She hated that he was right.

“Damn you,” she whispered.

“I don’t want to hurt you, baby,” he said softly. “I just want to be with you. I’m not trying to play games. I’m asking for a chance to explore this and see if you can give me another chance. Do you want to walk away without ever knowing whether we could have given us another shot? You fill me in a way no other woman can. Is it wrong to fight hard for the only woman I’ve ever loved?”