Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(24)

"I didn't want you to know."

It hurt me. I thought she knew she could always count on me, no matter how much time had passed. "Why?"

She managed to smile for a second. "Because I was afraid of what would happen. I was afraid you'd come back. I couldn't take the chance that you'd do something that foolish because of me."

"It wouldn't have been foolish."

"Chad, you have a life in California. It was my decision to make, just like dinner tonight. Let's be honest here. If you felt half of what I did when I first saw you again you'd know why this is a terrible idea."

Her admission sent my mind into a whirlwind of opportunity. Rachel may have saw it as a bad idea, but I had a different opinion. "Don't push me away because you're afraid. You know I don't give up easily. If I want to spend time with you, I'm going to do it." I sat down in the chair across from her and folded my hands. "As long as it takes, Rach. I’m willing to be patient. We’re going to be friends again, whether you like it or not."

She rolled her eyes and closed her laptop. "Since I know you well enough to accept you’re never going to leave until you get the answer you’re looking for, I’ll agree to it. One dinner. I'll join you tonight, but that's it. We go our separate ways when it’s over. You go back to your life, and I’ll proceed with mine."

"I? forgot how beautiful you are when you get frustrated. It's quite sexy." I was determined to get to her, no matter how annoying I had to be. Rachel was fighting me, and it didn’t make sense why. Did I really have such an intense affect on her that she needed to steer clear to keep from pouncing? It was quite intriguing.

"I'm going to regret this. I just know it."

Even I didn’t know what would happen between us, but I had an idea it would potentially benefit the both of us if she’d give it a shot. It was weird how I felt completely comfortable in this situation with her, as if no time had passed. "Grab your things. I'll drive us."

"I'll follow you. I'm not getting in a car with you."

"Why?" I taunted. "Are you afraid you'll want me to pull over and ravage you?"

"I'm afraid you'll want to."

It was hard not to laugh. "You say it like that's a bad thing. I know for a fact you wouldn't complain. You never did before."

"You're married, Chad. It's not happening. Stop being inappropriate or I’ll change my mind."

I cackled again at her comment. "Don't be a hypocrite. You and I both know a marital agreement can't stop you and I from getting lost in each other. My wife is involved with someone else. She’s been screwing around on me for months. I’ve been struggling with the idea of being alone too. Plus, I just lost the man who raised me. I need a friend, and there's only one I want to be with. I don't know if something will happen, but after all this time if something does, I'm not going to stop it, because there hasn't been anything better in the last ten years than the way it feels when you're in my arms."

She was shocked. In a matter of minutes I'd thrown caution to the wind and been forward regarding my intentions. My marriage was over. Seeing Rachel again had only shown me what real love felt like. I'd done my best to forget about what we shared, but now with her close enough to touch, nothing was going to get in my way.





Chapter 13


We made it to the elevator before she stopped in her tracks. I couldn’t hide the grin stretched across my full face. She knew the last time we’d been in the parking garage we’d had hot sex. There were reminders surrounding us. “I hate to break it to you, but it can’t be as bad as being in that office and thinking about all the hot things we’ve done there.”

She fanned her face. “I think I’m having a panic attack.”



“Or you’re already turned on. I’ve been told I have that affect on women.”



She playfully shoved me out of the way. “I’m too old for this kind of stuff. Cut it out. Someone will hear you.”

“Age is irrelevant. Of course, you already know that. You might also recall how I have a thing for older women. Either way, you’re not going to sway me in a different direction. I tried to deny the way I felt when I saw you at the hospital the other day. Then when we embraced it made things quite confusing. Now I know I had a reason to worry. After all these years I still can’t shake you.”

“Why do I feel like this is a lot more than a dinner invite?”

We stepped into the elevator. I waited for the doors to close before continuing. “When you’re close to me everything else fades away.” I pulled her into my arms, her lips almost touching mine, our eyes fixed on one another. “I’d do anything to spend time with you again.”

She tried to take a step back, but I pressed her against the wall of the elevator. “I can’t do this,” she whispered with her lips brushing over mine lightly. “It’s wrong. We can’t.”

She shoved out of my arms and separated us. “Being with you can’t happen. It doesn’t matter what we feel. I can’t do this with you. It’s wrong, and it makes me feel like I’m betraying Grayson. If he was still alive I know I’d be faithful, I wouldn’t give in to you. I know I wouldn’t.”