Love After War Read Online Free PDF Page A

tired, hungry, and happy to see Lawrence go. Packing her camera equipment, she grabbed her memory card and started to stick it into her jacket pocket. That’s when she felt Adrian’s card. Pulling it out, she was tempted to toss it. But she knew she had to call him, because if she didn’t, it was going to eat away at her.
    Dana plucked her cell phone from her camera bag and dialed his number.
    â€œBryant.”
    â€œAdrian,” Dana said, then sighed. “It’s Dana.”
    â€œI’m glad you called. Really didn’t think you were going to.”
    â€œDon’t make me regret it. What do you want?” No need to beat around the bush, she thought as she waited for his reply.
    â€œWe need to talk. I need to talk and I hope you’ll listen,” he said.
    Dana rolled her eyes and blew into the phone. “Talk about what, Adrian? Those two women you flaunted in my face after texting me that I should move on? Or are we going to talk about how you went from loving me to being a block of ice?”
    â€œI know you don’t believe this, but I was trying to protect you. There was a lot going on in my life.”
    â€œAnd I was trying to support you and be there for you,” she snapped. “Don’t you think I know how much it hurt you to lose your mother? I was trying to be there for you and you shut me out as if I’d done something wrong to you.”
    â€œCan we talk about this at Starbucks? Better yet, the least I can do is buy you a nice dinner and show you a good time.”
    â€œWhatever,” she said. “Starbucks is fine.”
    â€œDana. Dinner and a movie premiere is all I’m talking about,” he replied, then laughed. “Unless you—”
    â€œThat. Is. Not. Going. To. Happen!”
    â€œAnd just what is that ?”
    â€œIf I decide to go to dinner with you, I’ll call you back. You should be thankful that I’m willing to meet you at Starbucks,” she said, then ended the call. What had she gotten herself into? Why did she fall for that closure bull? All she’d really done was open an old wound.
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    Adrian glanced at his phone and smiled. Hearing Dana’s voice almost took his mind off his plans for Richmond Crawford and the call girl. Hearing her voice almost made him forget that his sole purpose in Los Angeles right now was to bring down his father and those sons of his. For that reason, he should’ve walked away and left Dana alone. He didn’t want her involved in this, and he didn’t want her to be touched by any of this family war that he was about wage. That’s why he’d ended their relationship and watched her walk out of his life and go back to New York. Having her back in Los Angeles couldn’t change his plans; he wanted revenge, and he would get it no matter what. But he wanted Dana back in his life in the worst way. He wanted and needed her softness around him more than ever. He’d never loved anyone the way he loved her. He craved her touch, her kisses, and her taste. He hadn’t thought about her much while developing his plan to bring the Crawfords down, but just one kiss from her put Dana back in the forefront of his mind. How could he not yearn for this woman, though? She was sensual, independent, and sexy as hell. When he held Dana in his arms, her sweet kisses and tender touches made him feel alive and needed. How in the hell did he allow her to walk out of his life? Would he be able to convince her to fall in love with him again while he was trying to bring his family down? Would she ever forgive him for that night? Adrian hadn’t thought about the hurt he saw etched across Dana’s face that night, because thinking about it reminded him of what an asshole he’d been. Sighing, he sat on the edge of his desk and squeezed the bridge of his nose. He couldn’t get off track. Richmond, he believed, was his key to getting the inside track to the