Long-Lost Mom

Last chance, she thought. Last chance to hold him, because once she told him, he wouldn’t want to touch her ever again. Oh, she’d miss this. To be surrounded by his arms, to hear him groan at her touch.

For so long she’d been on her own, with no one to share her fears and secrets. She’d allowed no one close, not friends, not co-workers, no one.

Now she had this man, the man she’d loved since the first moment she’d seen him years before, and he wanted her. It felt so good to be held like this, so good that she became dizzy with the unexpected luxury of it.

“It’s all right,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her when her legs threatened to buckle. Tenderly, lightly, he nuzzled at her neck. “I’ve got you.”

And he did. She reveled in that, and in being able to count on him. She’d give anything to give that much back and have him accept what she could offer. Tell him. Tell him.

He kissed her again, a questing sensual kiss that had her mind floating along where nothing mattered except his mouth, his tongue, that thrilling low moan he made deep in his throat when she pressed closer.

His muffled oath had her jerking back, startled and dazed.

She leaned against the counter for support and concentrated on dragging air into her lungs. But even breathing didn’t dispel the memory of the pleasure he’d created when she’d been plastered against his heavenly, warm and gloriously hard body.

He hadn’t said a word, was probably horrified at how she’d flung herself at him. “I’m sorry,” she said, staring at her clenched fingers.

He was silent.

Her new determination to face life directly made a mockery of her. Chin up, she looked at him. “I don’t know what came over-Stone?”

Braced against the wall, he was white and visibly trembling.

“See?” she demanded, rushing to him to support him the best she could. “You see? Dammit, I told you. A doctor. Now.”

There was a smile in his voice and surprising strength in his arm as he wrapped it around her, careful to keep her to the side of him, away from his clearly aching middle. “No, no doctor. I’m fine, but I’m enjoying this bossy side of you, so please feel free to continue yelling at me while I catch my breath.”

“You’re impossible,” she said, bewildered by him as she led him to a chair. Dumping the files on it to the floor, she gently pushed him down and put her hands on her hips. “Tell me where your phone is or I’ll…”

“You’ll what?” He was clearly enjoying himself despite his pain. “You’ll kiss me again?”

He looked so hopeful, while at the same time so dreadfully miserable, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He’d broken out in a sweat, his eyes were glassy with pain and she had no idea what to do.

“Stone.” Jenna sank to her knees before him, unable to stop herself from hovering. “Please. You’re hurt.”

Taking her hands in his, he shook his head.

“And stubborn as ever.”

Just as he narrowed his eyes in question, she realized her blunder. “What is it about men that make them this way?” she asked. “Like they know it all?”

“Fear.”

“Fear?”

Closing his eyes, he drew a careful breath. She tried to rise, but he held her hands tighter now, as if needing her closeness, and loving the feeling of being needed, she stayed. “Stone?”

“It was just a stupid accident,” he said, leaning his head back. He studied the ceiling. “One that could have cost me much more than wounded pride.”

She doubted it was only his pride hurting, but remained silent because she was certain she knew where this was going. Her heart started a heavy drumming in anticipation.

“I’m sitting here thinking that if I’d gotten myself killed,” he said, “where would that leave Sara?” He lifted his head and stared at her. “The thought terrifies me.”

Such emotion, such incredible love and perseverance. And if she’d never gone away, she could have had it from him, as well. But she had gone, and in doing so had cost him just about everything. “Your family?” she asked hoarsely.

“It’s complicated, but they’re not in the picture.”

She knew that, but had hoped beyond hope that it had been a terrible mistake, that his family hadn’t really been able to turn their backs on him and Sara. The way she had.

Guilt swamped her. Guilt and a regret so strong she could hardly speak. “I’m sorry, Stone.”

“You’re alone, too, so I know you understand what it’s like to worry about the future.”

She let out a harsh laugh. “Yeah, well, you don’t know the half of it.” He just looked at her steadily. “Well, maybe you do.”

“My tamily disowned me, not because I got a girl pregnant, but because they didn’t approve of her as a person. Doesn’t matter that I wanted to do the right thing, they still walked away from us. I was twenty then. It’s been ten years and they haven’t spoken to me since.”

“Oh, Stone.”

“It never fails to amaze me how they can keep Sara out of their lives.”

“How awful of them.” She touched him because she bad to. “And unforgiving.”

“They made their decision, and I made mine. I’m not sorry for that, but for Sara.” Sadness welled in those gray blue depths. Sadness and anger. “But I’ve been selfish,” he admitted. “Hoarding her. I should have pushed my family to change their mind. For her sake.”

She remembered his family. Wealthy snobs. She doubted they could be pushed to do anything. But as she looked at Stone, saw his grit and determination, she realized if anyone could change their minds, it would be him. “It’s not too late, Stone.”

In a sweet gesture that tugged at her already aching heart, he lifted her hands to his lips, kissed her knuckles. “What is it about you?” he wondered. “What is it that makes me want to bare my soul? That makes me want to get to know yours?” He played with her skin, using his teeth, making her shiver.

“Ah…” Difficult to think with his mouth on her. “Maybe it’s the fact I’ve thrown myself at you several times now?” She managed a feeble smile, feeling self-conscious and very unsure.

“It’s more than that and you know it.” Again that deep probing stare. “You feel it, too, or you wouldn’t have done all this. You wouldn’t have allowed me close. You’re a very private woman. You wouldn’t have chosen this building, even if it had been the only one available, unless you wanted to be near me.”

His directness was startling, and somehow, despite her embarrassment, refreshing. She did feel it, in a way she hadn’t expected. How long had it been since she’d had someone to care about? “Yes,” she admitted in a barely audible voice. “I wanted to be near you.” But I’m Jenna, she wanted to cry. I ruined your life once and I’m so afraid you won’t let me back in when I tell you the truth.

She had to tell him.

The phone rang, and she nearly screamed in frustration.

Stone sighed. “I have to get it. It might be Sara. But hold that thought.” He tried to rise and groaned, paling as he sank back into the chair.

Wanting to throw the phone out the window, Jenna whirled and searched for it. Now that she’d determined once and for all to come clean, the delay was killing her.

“Got it,” she muttered, handing the phone over, preparing to leave the room to give him privacy. The shock on his face held her captive.

“What is it?” She asked when he’d hung up. “Stone?”

He didn’t answer, and fear and horror slammed into her. “Sara?” she demanded hoarsely. “Is it Sara?”

“No. No,” he said quickly. “Not Sara. It’s my brother, Richard.” Dropping his hands to the arms of the chair, he attempted to rise, although he almost blacked out while domg it.

She set him gently back into the chair, which was a good thing because his heart was roaring in his ears, his pulse was racing, his vision was gray around the edges.

At her stricken look, he managed to say, “He was killed this morning. In a car accident. My father had his lawyer make the call.”

“Oh, Stone-”

“Richard’s dead.” Squeezing his eyes shut, he set his head in his hands. “Christ.” Grief and shock struck him at