months, but now I’m ready to move forward with my life.”
“Erin, many people would not be able to deal with what you’ve gone through. I think you’re fuckin’ amazing to hold on to the kind of love you shared and not completely give up with the kind of loss you suffered.”
She licked her lips, and with her head cocked adorably to the side, she admitted, “Rory was filled with his future plans, and I had no idea what to do. I’d planned on staying in the medical field but wasn’t sure I could ever stand to look at someone bleeding again. Rory was living at home to save money, so it made it easy for me to do the same thing. But while he was going out volunteering and working, I was mostly staying in my dark bedroom, worrying my family. It took a while, but I slowly realized that being in the medical field was still my calling. I’ve parlayed my medic training along with some of the college classes I’d taken and was able to finish my LPN. Now, I’m working on my RN degree and working part-time. Trying to move forward.”
“And you’re running.”
She laughed softly, glancing down then looking up at him through her lashes. He loved the sound and the way her blue eyes were half-shaded with her long, dark eyelashes.
“Yeah, I’m running.” She let out a shaky sigh, almost seeming nervous. Clearing her throat, she added, “You have to know that I’m not just running for the physical or emotional exercise anymore. Not even for the marathon practice. But when I run with you, I feel truly free for the first time in over a year. I feel free to be me. Whoever the evolving me is.”
Her words shot straight through the left side of his chest, like a spear to his heart. He knew what he was feeling for her but still had no idea if she saw him as more than a good friend. As though she had a direct line to his thoughts, she squeezed his hand.
“I don’t know if any of this matters, but in the past month, I feel like I’m closer to you than anyone else. I feel something with you, Torin. It’s like an awakening. And if you don’t feel it, too, that’s fine. I don’t have a lot of friendships right now, and I don’t want to do anything to mess up ours. I just wanted you to know everything about me since we’re spending time together, getting to know each other better. I didn’t want there to be this big secret that was standing between us.”
He shifted his body closer on the sofa, his hand now gliding up to the back of her head, his fingers weaving through her thick, dark, soft hair. “Erin, I feel a lot of things for you. And friendship is one of them. I wouldn’t want to lose our friendship, nor do I want to rush you, but you’re the only woman that I’ve been interested in for a long time.”
A delicate snort slipped out, and she rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry, it must be the nerves. But when you said you don’t want to rush me, you have to remember that there hasn’t been anyone since John and that was well over a year ago. So, whatever we are, whatever is happening with us, believe me, it’s not rushing. And before you even think it, you’re not a rebound. I’ve been on my own and alone for a long time. But I’m ready to end that. With you.”
He leaned forward ever so slowly, giving her every opportunity to pull back or say no, neither of which she did. As the distance between their faces closed, her gaze dropped to his lips the instant before his landed on hers. Her breath hitched slightly as her body relaxed, and she leaned into him. His arms tightened, and she threw her leg over his thighs, settling her ass near his crotch.
The kiss started soft, gentle, the exploration of two people tentatively moving forward, neither wanting to take more than what the other wanted to give. With their bodies pressed so closely together, he couldn't hide his erection and her breasts were pressed against his chest. She moaned, and he angled his head, his tongue delving inside her warmth, moving around her mouth, tasting, savoring, memorizing.
Her hand moved from around his shoulders to cup his jaw. And when they finally separated the barest inch,