Love Me Forever Read Online Free PDF Page B

the proof already. As tempted as he was, he didn’t try again. When he finished wrapping the bandage, he pulled her sock over her ankle and helped put on her shoe .
    She slipped on the other shoe and sock, then stood, favoring the bad ankle.
    “Does it hurt?”
    “Not too much. I think I can walk . ”
    Lifting the backpack onto his right shoulder, he slipped his left arm around her. “Lean on me. If the pain gets too bad I can carry you.”
    Her chin snapped up. “We’re at least a mile back from the car. I’ll kill you.”
    He squeezed her closer. “Not a chance. I probably bench press twice your weight.”
    ~*~
    Once they reached his home, Matt helped Jen to a chair in the dining nook in his kitchen and pulled out another chair to prop her foot on. “How’s the ankle?”
    “I’m fine if I stay off it. I think it’s just a minor strain. It’ll probably be better in the morning.”
    “Do you want an aspirin or something?” He hovered, the need to inspect her injury battling with an instinct that told him she needed space. “To keep down inflammation.”
    “No. I’m good, really.”
    “Okay. I’m going to trust you to ask if you need anything.” He walked around the prep island and pulled two wineglasses from the rack beneath a cupboard. “Do you like wine? Red or white?”
    “White wine, please.”
    He opened the bottle he’d put in the fridge that morning and poured two glasses. Once he’d seen to her, he pulled out the ingredients for stir-fry. Working at the kitchen island, he could keep Jen in his line of sight.
    “Can I help?” she asked.
    “Sure.” He took out another cutting board and knife, picked up the bok choy, and set it all in front of her at the table. He lifted her chin and kissed her, letting some of his building need show. When he pulled away, she smiled shyly. His insides melted at her sweetness. She’d always done that to him. One innocent look and he was figuratively throwing his coat over a puddle and bowing gallantly for her to cross. Stifling a groan, he moved back to the work area.
    Jen hobbled to the island sink and washed her hands. As she chopped, she repeatedly glanced at him.
    Finally, he couldn’t stand the curiosity. “What?” He was dying to know what she was thinking.
    She shrugged. “I’m just having trouble adjusting the Matt in my head with the man in front of me. Not only are you all grown up, but you’re domesticated.”
    His laughter came from deep inside and bounced off the walls. “You don’t have to sound so surprised. I wasn’t a wild kid.”
    “No, you weren’t. I think my mind is trying to fill in the gaps.”
    Turning to the fridge, he took out the scallops and shrimp, setting them near the wok. “I thought I’d done that already. I graduated with a degree in finance, went off to New York, made some money and realized my soul was MIA.”
    “Yeah, that’s what you said. But that’s only the headlines, not even the condensed version of the story. What did you do for a living?”
    “I was a day trader. A pretty good one. There was a time or two I had to adjust how I did business, but I survived all the downturns.”
    After she chopped the last of the vegetables, she set the knife down and held out the board to him. He circled the island to take it, grabbing her glass at the same time for a refill.
    “Did you marry? Have a family?”
    Carrying her full glass back to her, he said, “No. Had a long-term relationship but we kind of drifted apart. When we realized we had nothing left to offer each other, we split up.”
    Another brief kiss, tasting of Jen’s wine, held off the urge to take her to his bed. If he weren’t careful, they’d spend the evening making love and not eat until midnight .
    When the oil in the wok began to spatter, Matt tossed in the scallops. “You said you’re divorced.”
    “Mmm-hmm,” she said, turning to look out the window. She was shutting down again.
    He wanted to let the matter slide, but part of him