Cross My Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

her bedroom. She’d instructed him to make himself comfortable, something he’d have an easier time doing if she changed out of that bathrobe. Though the fluffy material covered her well, the deep vee left him wondering exactly what lay beneath the material while the short hem had revealed long, toned legs.
    And that showed exactly where his thoughts had been since she’d opened her door revealing a womanly version of the Lilly he’d known. The same and yet different, more beautiful, more secure in herself, more for him to handle, Ty thought.
    He’d been in lust with her when he was young, intrigued by the girl with the big brown eyes and daring nature. Only after she was gone did he realize he’d loved Lilly. First love, puppy love, no matter what he called it, losing her had been painful. They’d been denied the opportunity to explore what might have been and nothing and nobody since had even come close to making him feel as alive as Lilly had. She still did, if the spark inside him was any indication.
    But the past was behind them and opening his mind or his heart to her now could only lead to heartache. She had a life here that didn’t include him. She could have returned and opted not to. They’d each moved on.
    Ty didn’t need her to break his heart all over again when he’d established an easy way of life. He settled for sex, not love, with women who wanted simple relationships and who wouldn’t complain when he grew bored, which he usually did. Lately he’d been hooking up with Gloria Rubin, a waitress at a bar he frequented when he didn’t go to Night Owl’s. She was divorced and liked it that way, but didn’t want to take any man home with her while her son was under the same roof. He had an empty apartment, which meant their relationship was convenient if not special. But it worked.
    Ty shoved his hands into his pockets and glanced around Lilly’s living room in an attempt to get a feel for how she lived and who she’d become. He’d walked up three flights of dark stairs to reach her door but at least the neighborhood seemed safe enough and she had the ugly mutt for some sort of protection. The apartment itself wasn’t small, it was tiny. Yet despite the size, she’d put enough warm touches around to make it feel like home, not a small cell. Simple floral posters were framed and lined the walls, while live plants filled the room. Colored pillows brightened up the sofa and a matching area rug lay beneath the table.
    Noticeably absent were photographs of family and friends and for the first time, he realized she’d left more than just Ty and Hunter behind. She’d abandoned a life and tangible memories. She’d turned her back on money and material things. She couldn’t have lived easily or well. All the more reason for her to return and stop her uncle from claiming what was rightfully hers.
    â€œSorry to keep you waiting.” Her voice distracted him and he turned toward the light sound.
    She rejoined him, this time wearing jeans and a plain pink T-shirt, both fitted, both showing feminine curves he couldn’t help but admire. Her brown hair fell to her shoulders in damp waves, framing her porcelain skin, and her chocolate-brown eyes were still as deep and perceptive as he remembered.
    â€œNo problem,” he assured her. “It’s not like you knew I was coming.”
    She extended her hand toward the couch. “Why don’t we sit and you can tell me what’s going on. Because I know you didn’t just happen to be in the neighborhood.”
    He sat beside her and leaned forward on his elbows. Despite the fact that he’d had time to rehearse his speech on the three-hour ride here, the words weren’t easy ones. “I wish I had just been in the neighborhood because I hate what I have to tell you now.”
    â€œWhich is?” she asked, remaining calm and composed.
    â€œYour uncle