Read Whisper Through The Pain (A Novella) for Free Online Page B

us confusion and trouble.”
    He raked a hand through his messy hair again, scrubbed his face and gnawed on this bottom lip.
    “You can’t deny you responded to the kiss.”
    ‘Neither one of us want this.”
    “How can you say that? The chemistry is still there. You’re hurting. I’m hurting. Why not give each other comfort.”
    “We went down that road the last weeks of our marriage. I almost got destroyed in the process.”
    “I’m sorry. I should not have said that.”
    “You’re right.” She grimaced. “Seeing you again conjured up memories. It would be easy to submit to the familiar. It’s comfortable but wrong for both of us. I apologize. I sent you mixed signals. I would never cheat on my husband.”
    “He means that much to you?”
    “Yes.”
    “I screwed up again, didn’t I?”
    Her eyes quickly met his before turning back to stare at the flames in the fireplace. It was October and today was unusually cool in Los Angeles. Even though the room was comfortable, she wrapped her arms around her waist to ward off a sudden chill.
    They both stood and moved the marble fireplace. “Let’s discuss why I’m here.”
    He pinched the end of his nose and then took a deep breath. He started to pace with agitated quick movements. “I took you for granted. Hell. I apologize—”
    “Stop saying you’re sorry.” She stared at him, tension swirling in her gut. She swallowed. “Hell, with my state of mind, I needed for you to love me.”
    “I did love you. You were one of my best friends.”
    “From the time we were teenagers, I always wanted more.” She shrugged and then let out a weary breath. “I guess that was my life’s mission to always want more than I could have. My parents’ love—and then yours. I made some bad choices but I take responsibility for them.”
    “Is Jake Sorensen one of those bad choices?”
    She flinched as if he’d struck her. “Jake has nothing to do with this.”
    “Doesn’t he? If you weren’t on the outs with your husband, would you be here in my hotel room? Would you have accepted my kisses?”
    “You still can be a son-of-bitch, Brent.” 
    “I’m sorry…Please forgive me.” He wrapped his arms around her. “When it comes to you, I’m protective. You still hold a special place in my heart. That will never change.”
    “But it was never enough for us.” She eased out of his arms. “I don’t want your pity. I had enough of that. It’s taken me years to finally like myself—just the way I am. I won’t lose my hard earned self-esteem. I’m stronger and smarter than I was five years ago. I have grown a lot. I don’t crave people’s acceptance any longer. I complete myself.”
    “You’re different. This Melissa I don’t know, but I like her. You’re confident—more assertive with your words.” He was quiet for a moment. “The parents wanted the marriage. Hell, they expected it.”
    Melissa allowed his words to penetrate into the recesses of her mind. She felt the pain of their divorce, of being discarded, but there was comfort in the fact that for the first time in their relationship they were talking—really talking. Unfortunately, she and Brent had ended their marriage in cold silence. 
    “I wanted my mother’s approval and love so badly; I probably would’ve done anything to get it. Being here tonight…with you…helped me to find answers.”
    His look was quizzical.
    “Everything between us was temporal. It should’ve never happened,” she said.             
    “For a while, it was good with us. We were compatible where it mattered.”
    She shook her head. “Sex won’t hold a marriage together, Brent.”
    He produced his winning smile. “I don’t see why not. Even during the bad times, the sex was off the hook… damn good .”
    “You’re unbelievable. We’re not discussing our past sex life.”
    “Too late. I already did.”
    “Brent, be serious.”
    “Alright. Let’s finish this. If you want to know if I was