Long Time Running - By Hannah Foster Page 0,27

off some steam and regroup."

They stared at each other silently for several minutes, neither quite knowing what to say. Both took tentative steps towards each other until they were within arm's reach.

"Does what's his name know you're up here?" he asked. "He gets antsy when he can't find you."

She gave a small shake of her head. "Keith is on his way back to Tanzania."

Eric's blue eyes widened in shock. "He's not staying to see you through surgery?"

"We broke up."

"Why?" he asked, looking intently at her.

Nathalie inhaled sharply as she walked to the edge of the roof, he followed and stood beside her. She curled her hands around the railing.

"Keith deserves someone who can love him.....who can love him completely."

"And that's not you?" he probed.

She shook her head.

"Why not?"

A small, rueful smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She should tell him to get lost. She should tell him that her ability to love or not love someone was none of his concern but she couldn't bring herself to say that. Telling Keith the truth about her feelings for him, however painful it had been, had freed her and now the opportunity to free herself again, even just a little bit however painful it may be, lay before her.

She turned her whole body towards him and gazed at him for several beats. "Because I'm in love with you. I have never stopped being in love with you."

The entire world stopped moving as the words left her mouth and she wished silently that however he was going to reject her that he would at least be a little kind about it. She wasn't entitled to that kindness - she had forfeited her right to that - but she still hoped that he might find a way to put her down easy.

She could scarcely believe it as his fingers gently slid under her chin, tilting her face upwards. She blinked in disbelief as his mouth lowered to hers, hovering just above in agonizing temptation, his warm breath echoing against her skin. His mouth descended on hers, his tongue sweeping inside her mouth and in a moment her knees trembled and she grabbed hold of the railing to keep herself upright.

The kiss was familiar and new all at once as his lips continued to press against hers and his hand slid around her back, pulling her towards him. Her entire being felt as though it were on fire and she was sure he could hear her heart crashing inside her chest.

And as quickly as it began, it ended and he slowly, almost reluctantly let go of her lips.

Looking at him in astonishment, she stepped backwards fingering her swollen lips. Words would not come easily and it took her several tries to make any sound. "Wh-what was that for?" she stammered.

Eric smiled apologetically. "I'm...I'm not sure," he admitted truthfully. "Exorcism, maybe?"

"Okay" she whispered, trying to swallow down the unexpectedly sharp feeling of disappointment. "I...I'm going to go back to my room."

He nodded. "I'll....I'll see you later - maybe."

Unable to say anything further, she turned and on wobbly legs, made her way to the staircase and headed back downstairs.

Leaning forward against the railing, Eric cradled his head in his hands and sighed. He had just opened the floodgates to feelings he had being trying to keep buried. He didn't know if it would be possible to close them again. Or even if he wanted to.

Chapter 9

A bundle of nervous energy, Nathalie paced restlessly in her room. What exactly had he meant by exorcism? Was one last kiss all he needed to finally be over her? Was it payback? A way of reminding her what she had walked out on? Or was it a test to see what feelings for her still existed in the embers?

If there had been any doubt in her mind that she was still deeply in love with him, that kiss erased it. It had left her breathless and weak kneed and it confirmed that he was the only man she would ever love.

Her mind then drifted to Jack. Her smiling, happy baby with his full cheeks and thick hair was never far from her mind but she tried hard not to call upon his memory too often for the cost of doing so was more than she could bear most days. What would Eric think of her if he knew? His disillusionment and disappointment in her would likely be total. What words would she use to tell him that for so