Secret Desire(58)
“Here, drink this.” He hadn’t moved from her side since they’d arrived at the hospital. He held out a cup, waiting for her to sip.
“Dustin, I was wrong. I don’t want this to end.” She gazed up at him, strong, powerful. The man she loved.
“Then it won’t.” He bent to kiss her. For a moment she forgot the pain in her leg and the one in her heart.
Long hours later, under a pastel-painted morning sky, Dustin brought Claire back to his house. She called Fran and told her she’d been injured and was staying at Dustin’s to recuperate. Fran asked if she needed anything and Claire declined for now. At least they were trying for civility.
“What can I get you?” Dustin came into the bedroom carrying a large glass of O.J. “You’ll turn bright orange if you keep drinking this stuff.”
He kissed the top of her head and then bent and softly kissed her lips. Her heart filled, and she reached out for his hand. He sat down on the bed, moving up against her, their bodies touching. Her leg was elevated on several fluffy pillows. Before leaving the hospital, Dustin had snuck down to the gift shop. Vases of flowers were spread about the room. A large teddy bear joined by ribbons to half a dozen helium balloons sat on the chair in the corner. She laced her fingers with his and squeezed.
“Claire, I’d never ever do anything to lose you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, baby.”
“I love you Dustin,” she whispered. “I’ve always loved you.”
He ran his thumb along her lips. “You can’t imagine how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that. I love you so much. I never gave up. I always believed that one day we’d be together.”
He kissed her lips, dispelling all her doubts and replacing them with the key to his heart. He took possession of her body and a love that she freely offered, wiping away her fears. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. No longer was she afraid of finding a forbidden love. He was hers. She’d hold on tight this time, trusting with all her heart that she’d rediscovered her soul mate.
“This is just the beginning of the best love story I could have written.” She pressed her mouth to his, already seeing the story unfold for days and months and years to come.