Have Husband, Need Honeymoon Read Online Free PDF Page A

them into each other’s arms, into consummating their love by the lake, then into marriage.
    Brady suddenly stood. The papers fluttered to the floor as he slowly reached out and touched her hair. His familiar scent filled her nostrils, his hungry gaze trapped her with its heat, and she moved toward him, cupped his face with her hands and melted into his arms.
    He lowered his head, his breath ragged as he captured her lips and settled his mouth on top of hers, then delved inside with his tongue to taste her passion. The years fell away, the pain, the lonely nights and days, until Alison found herself clinging to his arms.
    But she’d promised herself she would never cling or beg or force him to come back to her if he didn’t want her. And she hadn’t intended for the papers to do that.
    She pulled away, slowly at first, then realized she had to distance herself or she might shatter and forget those promises she’d made to herself. As easily as he’d forgotten the ones he’d made to her.
    “Alison … I—”
    “No, don’t.” She turned and wrapped her arms around her waist, a nervous laugh bubbling inside when she saw the wedding picture of her and Brady. She’d been in her prom dress, so young, so in love, so naive…
    “Alison, I’m sorry.”
    The gruffly spoken words made tears burn her eyes.
    “I wish I could explain what happened, but I … I’m afraid I can’t.”
    “We’ve both grown up,” Alison said, squaring her shoulders.
    “And changed.”
    The nervous laughter escaped. “Right, we were only kids back then. Foolish and impulsive and full of dreams.”
    “And stars.” He cleared his throat. “But life changes and goes on.”
    She turned to face him and saw the strains of fatigue and worry etched on his face. He had aged, she realized, and a hardness, an emptiness had settled into his eyes that hadn’t been there before.
    What had happened to put it there?
    She wanted desperately to know, yet self-preservation kicked in and she decided she couldn’t ask. Not with that wall of broken trust between them.
    “I … I really didn’t know about the papers until yesterday. I’ll file them as soon as possible, if that’s what you want.”
    His expression grew even harder, even colder, if that were possible, the tension between them palpable. “I think that would be best.” Then he turned and walked out the door, shutting it behind him.
    Alison watched him limp down the street, and wondered at his choice of words. He hadn’t said it was what he wanted, he’d said he thought it would be best. Her fingers brushed across her lips, and the memory of the passion in his kiss rose to taunt her. Could it be possible? Could Brady still have feelings for her? Or was she overanalyzing what he’d said, trying to hold on to some sliver of hope for their future?
    * * *
    Brady was too shaken to deal with the crowd in Sugar Hill, much less his doting, but slightly overbearing mother. He did find Vivica and meet her fiancé, Joe, an architect, who seemed like a decent enough guy and appeared to adore Vivica. But Brady couldn’t focus; he was trying to absorb the news that he and Alison were officially still married.
    “The fireworks display is supposed to be even bigger this year,” Vivica said.
    “I’ve never been to a small-town one,” Joe admitted. “We usually go intoAtlanta.”
    “Hey, Vivi,” Brady said, “would you and Joe give Mom a ride home, and let me take the car?”
    “Aren’t you going to stay for the fireworks?” Vivica asked.
    Brady jammed his hands in his pockets. “I’m tired. If you don’t mind, I’d like to head home. It’s been a long day.”
    “Of course.” Vivica dug in her purse for her keys and handed them to him. “I keep forgetting it hasn’t been long since the accident. You need to rest.”
    He grimaced and shook Joe’s hand. “See you later.”
    Although he’d intended to go home, he found himself driving out to the lake, sitting by the edge, looking at