Long Time Running - By Hannah Foster Page 0,78

was a flurry of limbs tangling, breath mingling and bodies touching. As the pleasure built, they pushed each other over the edge holding on to each other as though each was afraid to let go.

They collapsed on the bed, breathless and ragged. Eric reached for Nathalie, tugging her to him as he dropped soft, loving kisses on her lips.

"Say it again" she asked quietly, tracing patterns along his chest with her fingertips.

He knew instantly what it was she wanted to hear and how much the words meant to her. "I love you." Feeling several tears drip onto his chest he stroked the back of her head. "Nat?"

Lifting her head she smiled tenderly. "I used...I used to think that there were some wounds that could never be healed. But I know now that love is stronger than anything."

Chapter 28

As the early morning sun slipped through the blinds Nathalie sighed happily. It had been a night of affirmation and love and they had wrapped themselves around each other and not let go. Snuggling in closer to Eric she left a soft kiss on his chest.

"Mmm," he moaned happily, trailing his fingers along her back. As he came to the top of her scar, he traced its outline. "Does it hurt?" he asked quietly.

She gave a light shake of her head.. "It twinges every once in a while but it doesn't hurt." Silence surrounded them for several minutes as he continued to trace it. Lifting her head from his chest, she looked at him curiously. "You keep touching it."

"Should I not?"

"No, that's not it. It's just the other...the very few other men I was with never touched it - not on purpose anyways."

Eric again traced the winding pattern of her scar, his finger leaving chill bumps on her back. "Did you love him?" he asked softly.

"Who?" Nathalie asked before understanding dawned. "Keith?"

Eric nodded softly as his eyes remained focused on his fingers trailing over her skin.

Nathalie swallowed the thick lump in her throat as she gently took his hand and laced her fingers through his. "Eric," she whispered. "Look at me"

Eric inhaled a ragged breath as his stunning blue eyes finally met hers. "He mattered to me. I needed someone to prove to me I wasn't worthless."

He nodded in understanding as his eyes fell to the bed as she continued to speak.

"But," she stated calmly, "I couldn't love him."

"You couldn't?" he responded softly.

She shook her head in response. "I couldn't." she affirmed. "I couldn't love him when I never stopped loving you."

"But you tried."

"I thought I did. But now I am not sure I ever could. Your love is greater than anything I have ever known."

He softly nipped at her lips as she cuddled into him further. "I love you, Nat."

"I know." She said, her green eyes shining with tears. "And that is why I think I can be so comfortable with you. I hate what my scar represents. But you are the only person who understands what it truly cost me."

Pulling them both to a sitting position, he brushed her bangs from her face. "It's part of who you are," he told her. "And I love who you are," he reminded her. "All of you."

Leaning forward she captured his mouth in a soft, gentle kiss. "It's also evidence of a lot of pain," she added. "And I know that not all scars are visible."

Cocking his head to the side, he paused. "What do you mean?"

Drawing her fingertips along his brow she smiled lovingly at him. "My scar is visible but yours aren't and I know that I caused you a lot of pain."

"I've forgiven you," he reminded her quickly.

"But that doesn't undo what I've done Eric," she continued. "And so I want to make you a promise here. No matter what happens in the future, no matter how scared or overwhelmed I may get I promise I will never, ever run again. For better or for worse, I'm staying put."

Cupping her face, he kissed her passionately. "I love you," he whispered against her mouth. "When are you moving in?"

Pulling back a little, she gave him an apologetic look. "I need to talk to Sarah. I really need to tread carefully here Eric and not rush her because she is going to be hurt no matter what."

"Okay" he told her as he nuzzled her neck. "I'm just anxious for us to be together under one roof."

"Me too" she told him. "And we will be soon. I'll talk to Sarah today and we'll work