Read Knowing Vera (Romantic Suspense, Family Drama) (Chance for Love) for Free Online Page A

while together? Or at least, we did, before his injury. Now, he’s suddenly shy, and it emboldens me.
    Jumping off the sofa, I pull him up with both hands. “Let’s go to the bedroom.”

Chapter 5
    Zach’s mattress is stiff, hardly comfortable, but it’ll do. I shimmy out of my clothes and slide under the crisp sheets, waiting for him to climb in and embrace me.
    I recall the first time we touched. Zach and I had been swimming in a sparkling infinity pool, close to the edge where a cascade of water dropped to the level below. His golden, tan body glistened as he lifted me onto an overflowing ledge and stepped between my thighs. His eyes were as blue as the Aegean sea, and his muscles were corded and firm.
    I untied the string holding up his trunks, while he slipped my bikini bottom to the side. Raw animal lust ignited when he pressed into me. He was aggressive, knew what he wanted, and took without abandon.
    The bed dips, and Zach’s hand is on my shoulder. “Vera, you don’t have to.”
    “I want you. Don’t you want me, too?” I move his hand onto my breast, and he immediately fondles it. A melting sensation cascades through my body, causing me to moan and twist as I pull him over me.
    He feathers kisses over my neck “I do want you. I dream about you all the time, but—”
    “No talking.” I turn into his kiss and cradle his face. His mouth is relaxed, and his eyes are half-closed. Flicking my tongue across the seam of his lips, I wait for that familiar hum in the back of his throat. His mouth opens, and our tongues wrap lovingly in a slow tango.
    He strokes the side of my neck and presses the kiss deeper. My body softens like warm taffy, conforming to his. I slide my hands under his shirt, my palms tingling over his smooth back. His kisses grow rougher and heavier as he sets my every nerve ablaze. When his thumb rolls over my taut nipple, I almost jolt upright as sizzles of desire pulse at the junction between my legs.
    I throw my neck back, needing more, his skin pressed on mine, and him buried deep inside, as close as two people can possibly be, yet still not enough.
    He lifts his arms as I yank his t-shirt over his head. There’s his gorgeous chest with its light sprinkling of hair, and his dark, delicious scent reminding me of a mossy forest after a thunderstorm.
    Ready to be covered by that prime body, I trace the sexy trail between his solid abdominal muscles, lower his shorts and unveil his beautiful cock. Yep, he’s pumped, ready and bulging.
    Zach groans and grabs my hand. “Let’s not … not yet.”
    “Wh-what?” I’m afraid to look at his face. The old Zach would have had me impaled and screaming by now. He’s obviously aroused, but something bothers him.
    “Sorry.” I gaze regretfully at his raging erection. “Am I moving too fast?”
    “N-no, you’re fine.” His breathing is rough as he turns onto his back and pulls up his shorts. “I don’t want to use you.”
    “How? I don’t get it.” The lack of oxygen in my brain has me blabbering.
    “You know, to feel like I’m a man again, like I have something to prove. I want more.”
    “More?” My tongue thickens as the atmosphere gets awkward.
    “I don’t want a purely physical relationship. Don’t you feel empty when you do this with someone you’re not connected to?”
    Actually I do, but I’m not letting him in on it. Sex is a temporary escape, a Band-Aid for the heart. I always knew I wouldn’t be marrying. Not with my crazy family history.
    But to feel loved and appreciated, even temporarily, beats being lonely.
    “And you,” he keeps talking, “you never spend the entire night. It’s always wham-bam-thank-you-dude, I gotta go ’cause my mother’s waiting up.”
    I clench my jaw and bury my face in the pillow. I’m not ready for all this touchy-feely stuff. Zach’s changed, all right. I only meant to comfort him. Maybe I am pitying him.
    “Vera?” He shakes my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
    “Sure, no