Angela reached out and rubbed his chest through the crisp fabric of his shirt. It seemed so natural to touch him. She didn’t even have to consider how he’d react. “How’s the shoulder?”
He shrugged. “It’s all right. I’ve been practicing with the team. I might be able to start playing next month. Then we’ll see how it goes.”
“Good,” she said. “I’m glad everything is turning out all right.”
“Almost everything,” he said. Max leaned forward and dropped a gentle kiss on her lips. “I think about you all the time, Angela. I think about how good we are together. And how I just want to go back to where things got messed up and figure out how to fix it all. I want you in my life and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. If Chicago doesn’t make an offer, then I’m going to retire. I’ll come back here when my contract runs out and we’ll start all over again. Only this time, we won’t make any mistakes.”
Angela stared into his eyes. The truth was there, so brilliant and clear. “I’m the one who made the mistakes. I didn’t believe in what I felt. I couldn’t trust my feelings.” She reached out and smoothed her hand against his cheek. How many times had she touched him like this and taken it for granted. She’d never do that again. “I’m giving up the Web site. And the book. I don’t believe in my thesis anymore.”
“What was your thesis?”
“That most men are creeps and they’ll take advantage of women if given the opportunity. I believe that men never change and women who think they can change them are just deluded fools. That, for some people, there is no happily ever after.”
“So, what do you think about us?” he asked. “Is there reason to be hopeful?”
“Maybe,” Angela said. “It would help if you’d kiss me again.”
He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers. But what started as a simple contact dissolved into a whirlwind of passion. All the feelings Angela had kept pent up over the past few weeks came pouring out and she wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering to the feel of his mouth on hers.
They tumbled back onto the bed, pushing aside clothes so that they could touch bare flesh. When they both finally came up for air, Angela sighed. “Oh, that was nice. I’ve missed you.”
Max kissed her bare shoulder. “I’m a nice guy. And I’m sorry I acted like such a jerk. I guess I do deserve to be on your Web site.”
“I took you off,” she said.
“You did?”
She nodded. “I don’t want anyone saying anything bad about my boyfriend.”
“I’m your boyfriend?”
Angela nodded. “Yes, you are officially my boyfriend.”
“And since I’m your boyfriend, can I take all your clothes off now?”
She nodded again. “Yes, you may. But only if you take your clothes off, too.”
“We operate so much better when we’re naked, don’t we.”
Angela laughed, then pulled him on top of her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. Fourteen years ago, she touched him for the first time and her life had changed. Maybe they were meant to be together. And maybe the fates had just been waiting for the right time.
Now that she had him, Angela didn’t intend to let him go.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate Hoffmann began writing for Harlequin Books in 1993. Since then she’s published sixty books, primarily in the Harlequin Temptation and Harlequin Blaze lines. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys music, theater and musical theater. She is active, working with high school students in the performing arts. She lives in southeastern Wisconsin with her two cats, Chloe and Tally.
