He closed his eyes, rubbed them, as if he could wipe the memories away. “He was choking you. He pulled a knife. He must have grabbed it out of your kitchen. If he had used it instead of his hands, you wouldn’t be here.”
“Oh, God.” Nausea roiled in her belly and she clapped a hand over her mouth. If she threw up…
Mike was there, rubbing her back with a gentle hand. “You don’t need to hear about this right now,” he said.
Lori leaned into him, her mind whirling as it pieced things together. He hadn’t said it, but Lori knew. Mike had killed Dirk. She had been engaged to the man for nearly a year, with him for three. But all she felt was relief and some distant sort of regret. She wasn’t really even angry, although she suspected she would be eventually.
“Why were you coming to look for me?” she asked. Every word felt like she was pushing raw glass through her throat, but she had to know.
Mike sighed. “You must enjoy having your throat hurt like that.”
“I just need to know.”
He shifted around, turning so that he sat on the edge of the bed, facing her. “To tell you I was sorry. I knew you were in the maze. And I’m sorry. But also, for the past week. I’ve been a bastard.”
“Why? I mean, it’s not like I was expecting rose petals and a diamond ring.”
She stared at him as he reached down and took her hand, rubbing the back with his thumb. “I know. The problem is, part of me wanted just that.”
Her jaw dropped open. She probably looked like an idiot, lying there staring at Mike with her mouth hanging open but she just couldn’t help it. He reached up and pressed his finger against her chin, closing her mouth. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“What are you talking about?”
Instead of answering right away, Mike leaned over and pulled one of the roses from the vase. He stared at it intently as he started to pluck the satiny petals off. He dropped each one on the sheets that covered her lap. “I’m not much into romance. Never have been. That probably won’t change. But you’re the only woman I’ve ever met who made me want to give her roses, Lori. You’re the only one who’s ever made me want a little something more. And it scares the hell out of me. I don’t react well to being scared.”
His gaze lifted and Lori felt her heart stutter to a stop at the emotions she saw there. “If last weekend was just a thing for you, that’s fine. I’ll deal with it. But if… Well, maybe it meant a little more and that maybe, well… I mean, if I haven’t totally fucked it up with what happened at Exposè, maybe we could…”
How cute. A smile spread across her face and if it wouldn’t have hurt so much, she would have laughed. As he fumbled for the words, she couldn’t help but think how damn cute it was, seeing him look so damn awkward.
Finally, though, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. It was either kiss him or let him try to explain for the next thirty minutes. She’d rather kiss him.
Pulling back, Lori reached up and cupped his cheek. “Yeah. Maybe we could…”
About the Author
They always say to tell a little about yourself! I was born in Kentucky and have been reading avidly since I was six. At twelve, I discovered how much fun it was to write when I took a book that didn’t end the way it should have ended, and I rewrote it. I’ve been writing since then.
About me now...hmm... I’ve been married since I was 19 to my high school sweetheart and we live in the midwest. Recently I made the plunge and turned to writing full-time and am looking for a part-time job so I can devote more time to my family—three adorable children who are growing way too fast, and my husband who doesn't see enough of me...
Shiloh welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Also by Shiloh Walker
A Wish, A Kiss, A Dream anthology
Coming In Last
Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails II anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Tales From the Temple IV anthology
Every Last Fantasy
Firewalkers: Dreamer
Firewalkers: Sage
Her Wildest Dreams
His Christmas Cara
His Every Desire
Make Me Believe
Myth-behavin’ anthology
Mythe & Magick
Mythe: Vampire
Nightstalker: Back From Hell
Once Upon A Midnight Blue
Silk Scarves and Seduction
Telling Tales
The Dragon’s Warrior
The Dragon’s Woman
The Hunters: Ben and Shadoe
The Hunters: Declan and Tori
The Hunters: Eli and Sarel
The Hunters: Jonathan and Lori
The Hunters: Rafe and Sheila
Touch of Gypsy Fire
Voyeur
Whipped Cream and Handcuffs
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com