Part 253 (2/2)

through his hair. As her body heated she sighed as much in contentment

as desire. With her eyes half closed, she let her hands run over him,

remembering every angle, every plane of his body. Pa.s.sion, released,

flowed into them like a fine wine.

She welcomed him, opening and arching. When they joined, she wept.

Bringing his mouth to her, she tasted his tears mixed with her own.

Later, they lay quiet, her head tucked in the curve of his shoulder. She

wondered that it should be so easy, and feel so right. It had been

nearly twenty years. Half of her life had been spent apart from him.

Yet they were here, bodies damp from loving. She could feel his heart

thud under the palm of her hand.

”It's so much like it used to be,” he said, echoing her thoughts. ”And

yet it's so different.”

”I didn't want this to happen. AJI this time I've worked so hard to

stay away from you.” She lifted her head, looked in his eyes. ”I never

wanted to love this much again.”

”It's only ever been right with you. Don't ask me to let you go again.

I wouldn't make it this time.”

She brushed his hair, with its first few sprinkles of gray, away from

his brow. ”I was always afraid that you didn't really need me,

certainly not the way I needed you.”

”You were wrong.”

”Yes, I know I was.” She lowered her head to kiss him. ”We've wasted a

lot of time, Bri. I'd like you to come home.”

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