Absolutely Unforgivable(90)

“Then why did you move back upstairs?”

“Because, Billy, you lied to me. I was still hurt about that. I needed some space. We needed some space.”

“And what about the flowers he sent you?”

“Oh my God, Billy. Stop it already! They mean nothing. That’s just the way Jeromy is. He’s impossibly sweet. He just wanted to let me know he was thinking of me. But that didn’t mean I was going to go running back into his arms. There is only one man who has my heart and he’s too busy stomping on it day in and day out to notice.”

“I never meant to hurt you, Stacy. I just wanted to give you the space you needed to repair your relationship with Jeromy. I love you so I wanted to give you what you wanted.”

“If you love me then why have you been so brutal to me, Billy?”

“It hurt watching you get back together with Jeromy. I wanted you to pick me but you went off with him. What could I do?”

“I never did anything with Jeromy!”

I started to walk away and move closer to my car but Billy moved quickly to wrap his body around me and hold me tight. “I know that now, but in my mind at that time I really thought you two were back together or at least trying to fix what I felt like I had helped break.”

He gently ran his finger over my bottom lip. “The thought of him touching you was killing me.”

“There is only one person I want to touch me and he’s standing right here in front of me. Did you really think it would be even possible to want another man after I had been with you? I love you, Billy, from the very depths of my soul. You are my everything.”

I traced his jaw with the barest touch of my fingertips. All I felt was the heat of his body next to mine. The rain coming down on us didn’t even faze me. I lost myself in feeling his body pressed up against me. My body began to tremble and he pulled me in closer, holding me tightly in his arms. “I love you,” he whispered. “I don’t ever want to be without you.” The incredible connection I felt to him at that moment was more than I could have ever hoped for. I felt all the empty places inside me fill with his very essence.

“I want to wake up every morning for the rest of my life and feel your warm naked body next to mine,” he said, while brushing my soaking wet hair back out of my face. He leaned in and kissed me. It was soft like he was being cautious, but so unbelievable that it took my breath away and left me feeling lightheaded.

“You’re so amazing, Stacy. You are like a dream come true. Sometimes I wake up and wonder what I ever did to deserve you and when I lost you it was more than I could take.”

I smiled and put my hands on the back of his neck and then gently ran my fingers through his hair. He smiled back and kissed me again. At first his kiss was soft and slow but then it began to build in intensity. I tightened my grip on his hair and he moaned and the soft kiss became hotter and more passionate.

I couldn’t fight the urge to touch him anymore, so my hands traced down his chest until I found the bottom of his shirt. I tugged on the bottom of it and then started working it upwards. Finally Billy realized what I was doing and pulled it off, and threw it to the side and as he did I could feel his well-defined muscles flex. That made my entire body tingle. I thought of nothing now but how unbelievable it was to be back in his arms.

He leaned in to kiss me again but all too soon he pulled his head back, breaking the kiss but keeping his lips close to mine as he huskily whispered my name. “Stacy. Oh my sweet Stacy.”

I swallowed hard and attempted to steady my voice, as well as my legs. “I love you, Billy.” At that moment I wanted him so badly that my entire body was quivering in fiery anticipation.

Billy whispered in my ear, “Then marry me. Be my wife.”

I couldn't believe the words that had just left his lips. I took a deep breath and let it out in a shuddering exhalation. My mind was awhirl with thoughts and emotions. It’s not possible. Is he serious? “Billy, no we can’t, it’s too soon.”

“We can. I’m not saying we have to get married today or even next month but I want you to know I’m serious. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

We kissed again to seal the deal. I was going to be Mrs. Billy Snow. Maybe not right away but one day and I was so happy.

Then he loosened his grip on me and let out a gasp of breath. I looked up at him to see what was wrong. He had a strange look on his face, one of deep pain and agony. Then his look was joined by a sort of confusion and haze.