Read Second Chances for Free Online

gave a self-conscious shrug. "And I took the coward's way out. I ran." He caught her gaze and held it. "Please forgive me."
    Â 
    Never could she have imagined this strong, confident man admitting to such behavior. Neither could she have ever imagined his reasoning behind his actions. She stared at him. Over the years she'd made a lot of excuses for his behavior. But she hadn't considered this one. It was the only one that could make her feel okay about his actions. Not good, but getting better as she contemplated the depth of his words.
    Â 
    Strong? Passionate? Inside, her heart smiled. The corner of her mouth tilted. "Fantasy, huh?"
    Â 
    A devastating grin slid out, sneaking into her heart. "Unbelievably great fantasy."
    Â 
    "Then maybe…just maybe I'll forgive you."
    Â 
    His smile winked out. "I am sorry. I never once considered your feelings that morning. How it would be to wake up alone." He leaned forward, grasping her hand gently in his, his thumb stroking, caressing hers. "I never meant to hurt you. I was young and stupid."
    Â 
    "It wasn't much fun." She winced inside and realized if he was coming clean, then… "I'm sorry, too. I knew you weren't whole that night. But…" she laughed lightly. "It was one of those events that make you forever wonder, what if I don't take this chance…? "
    Â 
    Silence stretched comfortably between them.
    Â 
    He reached out a hand. "Understandable. And I'm sorry for my part in any lasting bad feelings. But…"
    Â 
    She tilted her head, her former wariness rearing its head. Now what was he up to? "But…?"
    Â 
    His gaze deepened, enveloping her in a special glow of intimacy.
    Â 
    "I'm glad we had the time together we did. I'm just sorry for my actions afterward. I've kept that memory close ever since."
    Â 
    Hot, then cold, his words had taken her to the edge and back. She didn't know where she stood. Nor where she wanted to stand. Or where he stood, for that matter. He'd married and divorced in the meantime. So he hadn't exactly been waiting for her. What did that mean right now? For her. She swallowed. Hard. "And yet…you never contacted me. So it couldn't have been that good," she added lightly, asking but not really expecting more.
    Â 
    But her words brought back just how good they'd been together.
    Â 
    "It was that good." He frowned, staring down at her hands. "I couldn't contact you. I was ashamed of what I'd done. Figured I'd ruined my chance with you." He lifted his gaze to stare deep into her eyes. "Did I?"
    Â 
    The energy in their tiny booth electrified. She wanted to wrap around his hard length and drive him crazy…as crazy as he was driving her.
    Â 
    "Karina?" So soft. So sexy. So not subtle.
    Â 
    She shouldn’t. There's no way another quickie affair was in her plans. A relationship, yes. A love affair, yes. A repeat of ten years ago, no. Hell, no.
    Â 
    Staring into those magnetic eyes, knowing she had to hold true to what she needed this time round, she said quietly, "I'm glad you have the same memories as I do. I'm beyond delighted that you are still interested in me. But I won't…I can't…have a repeat of the last time."
    Â 
    There she'd said it.
    Â 
    And again he surprised her. Those eyes held her close, caressed her deep inside and promised to never let her go. "Understandable. Trust is a big issue. And I agree. So let's see where this might go, shall we? Friends?"
    Â 
    He held out a hand, palm up.
    Â 
    Tremulously, she reached out and placed hers in his. "Friends," she whispered.
    Â 
    ***
    Â 
    Then next morning, Karina slouched comfortably back against the hard chair, propping her feet up on the seat in front of her, enjoying the silence of the empty room. She'd woken earlier than anticipated and had ended up here, anxiously awaiting the day's presentation.
    Â 
    It didn't matter at all that she was early. In the dimly lit space, she glowed with happy memories of the previous night.