Read If Only (The Willowbrook Series Book 1) for Free Online

ago.”
    “Eleven months and two weeks to be exact. But who’s counting?” he said as he set his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to glance up.
    A warning clamored in her head at his nearness, her mind telling her to step back and away from his hold, his scent, and his heat while inside her heart melted at his words. This time, there was no umbrella between them, no curious eyes, no rain or cold, just his closeness and the warmth from his touch.
    “If you won’t say anything, then let me apologize for yesterday. I was a jerk. You had every right to be at Jo’s funeral, and she would have wanted you there.”
    His apology was a step in the right direction for them, and acknowledging his effort, she placed her palms on his chest and accepted it. Once she said the words, his body relaxed, and he started to knead her shoulders with his strong hands.
    The edges of his jacket rubbed her bare arms, sending jolts of awareness to the junction between her legs. A moan clung to her lips. What would it feel like to coast her fingers over the sprinkle of hair on his chest and follow the path downward?
    The memory of their lovemaking surfacing to tempt her into sin, she trailed her fingers up to span her palms over his shoulder before . . . Asa stumbled back. God, she was ready to cup Rhys’s face, to bring his lips to hers like she had done that night. To kiss him senseless and be kissed by him in return until her body was wound tight with need.
    Her fingers shot to her lips, and when his pupils dilated while his breathing stuttered, she realized he remembered too.
    “Jo was a great woman. If you need help—” Confusion rang in her words. Was it love she had seen in the depths of his hazel eyes? No, it couldn’t be. It was misplaced desire. Yes, that was it.
    “Stop, Asa,” he said his voice low and throaty. “Changing the subject or ignoring what just happened between us won’t work this time.”
    In a different lifetime, she swore she could distract Rhys with a from-the-left-field comment, but he was right. And he got her good for calling her out. Damn him for being a quick study. Yet, she could still pretend she hadn’t heard him correctly and plow forward.
    “She lived a simple life,” she replied with as much casualness to her tone as she could muster. Her heart still beat out of control. “There won’t be a lot to help you with, but—”
    Tipping his head back, he groaned before directing his gaze on her. “You’re stubborn, you know that? Yet I’ve always liked that about you.”
    Liked . The word brought him closer to love. Despite the frustration on his face, Asa smiled. “And yeah, I don’t mind when you use your distraction tactics on me.”
    Tenderness resonated in his words. Asa smiled wider.
    “But when I want you to kiss me, let the stubbornness and tactics slide, Asa. Go with your feelings, sweetheart.”
    Feelings? For some reason, what he said grated on her nerves. “What? Like when you had let your guard down and let yourself feel that night?”
    Suddenly, the flutter of happiness in her chest was gone. Regret flickered in his eyes before he averted his gaze to stare at the spot above her shoulder, toward the bedroom. Obviously, apologizing for his rudeness at his grandmother’s service was different from apologizing to her in regards to his crude and hurtful comment.
    “Grab your stuff.” He headed for the door. “It’s too cold for you to stay here.”
    Oh, so now was the time to change the subject and ignore what had just happened between them? Well, fine.
    “I’ll walk to town, stay at my friend Sandy’s place,” she said, trying to keep her temper in check.
    His back was to her, his hand pausing over the doorknob. “You can’t. The roads are closed, and the path you use to get into town is covered knee-deep in snow. Plus, the temperature’s expected to drop farther. Come back with me to Jo’s, Asa. Go and I’d worry about you.”
    How could he defuse her so easily, and