“What can I do to make you feel better?”
“You’re doing it. Just being here and listening. It helps ease the pain.”
To my surprise, Amari reached for me and held me again. I hadn’t been hugged this much by a man who wasn’t related to me in years. Each time he squeezed me, I felt as if a part of my heart thawed.
Before Amari released me, the lights flickered on and then off. I held him tighter, clutching the back of his warm shirt as he cradled me. Although it was dark, I closed my eyes, inhaling our mixed scents. The thought of him being an angel came back to me.
Amari’s warm breath teased my cheek. I looked up, unable to see fully but remembering the handsomeness of his face. I imagined him looking down at me as our eyes adjusted to the darkness. Before I could speak, Amari’s wet lips descended on me, soft and as light as the snow falling outside.
“Your secrets are safe with me.”
His words teased my ears and tapped on my thawing heart.
“I know.”
Since Amari’s lips were close, I stood on my tiptoes and pressed my lips into his. This time, our kiss was hungry andpassionate. Instead of pain, my heart leaped at the possibilities of what might be. The joy that used to be in me flickered, tempting me to hope that this could be the beginning of something new. I wanted and needed this connection, not just for me but to move on from my never-ending pain.
Like me, Amari knew loss. Because of that, I wanted to comfort him too.
“I’ll be what you need. If I can give it to you, I will. Just ask.” He whispered the words into my lips.
My mind soared at what that might look like.
“All I need is you. Only you.” I kissed Amari again, thankful for his protection and peace.
Chapter
Seven
AMARI
SAME PAGE
Ruby’s lips were pillowy soft, bringing out emotions I buried after my divorce. Although I’d dated several women casually, no one tugged at my heartstrings like Ruby Starks. In the darkness, her curves filled my hands as her soft hair tickled my cheek. Everything in me wanted to loosen it and run my fingers through it before picking her up and wrapping my arms around her. I would hold her until she relinquished the hurt that kept her bound.
She stepped back and reached behind her. I remained still and pulled out my cell phone, turning on my flashlight app. Ruby continued her snail-like trek, using boxes to guide her until she reached a drawer in a worn wooden chest. She opened the middle drawer and pulled out several glass candles and a long lighter. After she set them on the chest, Ruby lit each one and set the lighter to the right of the larger candle.
I closed the distance between us again and rested my hand on Ruby’s back as she shivered. The scent of the apple cinnamon candle reminded me of the holidays and times long gone. It wasn’t lost on me that my time with Ruby made me feel déjà vu. I had this budding hope once, but it fled with the loss of my marriage. Could I have the real thing this time?
“We’ll have to use these candles and my flashlight until the lights come back on. Let’s go upstairs. Do you have extra blankets you can wrap yourself in?”
“Yes, in my bedroom on the second floor.”
I swallowed, imagining Ruby cocooned in a blanket. In an ideal world, my naked body would be pressed against hers as she wrapped her arms around me. We would comfort each other as we released our mutual pain.
“You can use my shower if you want to clean up.” She bit her juicy lips and stared at my chest.
Before I could answer, Ruby picked up the lighter and one of the candles, dipping her head toward the other one.
“Grab that candle, and I’ll get the other one along with our drink tray.”
“I’ll bring it up with my tools.”
Ruby’s fiery eyes met mine.
“My bedroom is the first door on the right.”
Her words were exact yet coded.
