Unintended Love: A contemporary romantic novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

him.
    She had felt lonely and sad, but also free. And very guilty for feeling a sense of relief that his helpless tyranny over her days and nights was over. It was clear to her that she never wanted to go back to nursing.
    “Why?”
    Melanie shrugged, but his simple question dredged up a truth from deep within.
    “Even before the accident I was becoming burned out. I don’t think I was ever really cut out for it.”
    “Why not?” He leaned forward, listening.
    “I don’t know... I guess I was too empathetic. Nurses need to be able to distance themselves a bit. I could do it, but it drained me. Then taking care of Sam...well I’m just lucky I guess that I don’t have to go back to nursing. I can take my time to figure out what I want to do next.”
    “What do you think you might want to do?”
    “Oh, I have a few ideas. I want to work with children and literacy but I haven’t decided yet the best way to go about it.”
    “What about becoming a teacher?”
    “No, I think I’d like to get books and computers into the hands of disadvantaged kids. My other idea is for a literacy-focused summer camp.”
    She looked over to gauge his reaction. She hadn’t ever expressed this particular dream to anyone before and felt a warm glow to see his eyes shine with admiration.
    “That sounds great,” he said, “but you hate camping!”
    Melanie burst out laughing. “Hmm, maybe I haven’t thought that through- What was I thinking?! But I haven’t done anything yet.”
    “When you’re ready, you will.”
    He sounded very sure. Melanie thought how much she liked this man who had been thrust into her life in such a dramatic way.
    “Another thing to add to the list: pilot, doctor, masseuse, writer, internet millionaire...and now, prophet,” she said.
    Then she yawned.
    Alex laughed. “I think it’s bed-time.”
    That night, Melanie quickly fell asleep next to Alex under the makeshift tent. She lay down next to him warmed by the fire and the wine. Exhausted by the events of the day she slipped easily into sleep, but soon after something woke her up.
    There were the sounds of crickets and other insects buzzing, and a night breeze blowing softly through the trees. Then she heard the sound that must have awakened her, and a chill ran down her spine and she was suddenly wide awake.
    It was the low, mournful howl of a wolf, closer than she’d ever heard before.
    “Alex?” she said hopefully.
    But there was no answer except the sound of his soft rhythmic breathing. She still felt chilled, and she realized the temperature had dropped like he had warned.
    Her feet were like blocks of ice and in the pale light of the full moon shining right over her head, she could see her breath.
    She looked at Alex lying next to her on his back breathing quietly, and moved a bit closer under the sleeping bag seeking out his body heat. She pushed up next to the length of him and sighed as she began to feel his warmth. Her feet were still cold though, and being so close was not making her sleepy.
    No, she decided it was not going to be possible to sleep because either she was too cold, or he was too hot.
    It was better to be warm, awake and turned on than cold and awake, so she snuggled even closer.
    She was so near that she could smell him. His scent was warm in her nostrils, a mixture of his sweat with something underneath that was lighter and reminiscent of ... what was that? The closest that Melanie could come to was cinnamon. She liked it. His scent was comforting and sexy and she had to resist a strong urge to taste him.
    Still sleeping, Alex turned on his side facing her, so there was more of him available to get close to. The heat that emanated from him tantalized Melanie, until she couldn’t resist any longer. She turned so her back faced his front, and wiggled up next to him so they were spooning.
    The sleeping Alex didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he brought his arm around and rested his hand between her breasts. It felt so good to