Read Online Strong Enough to Love by Victoria Dahl - Free Book Online

walk away from you except that one thing. My obligation to my wife, yes, but I also didn’t want it to start that way with you. My marriage felt over, but Eve, it was still there in my life. I wasn’t a clean slate for you. I didn’t want it to feel wrong, because it’s so fucking right between us. It’s so easy and comfortable but there’s need and lust, too, and... I’ve never felt that before. I didn’t want it to be something either of us would regret. I’m sorry.”
    Her fists tightened in his shirt. Her back trembled under hands.
    “I’m sorry,” he repeated. “Please give me another chance. Please. I swear, I won’t hurt you again. It’s right this time, Eve. I swear it.”
    She drew in a shaky breath. And then another. But she didn’t say a word.
    “I know you built a life for yourself while I was gone. I just want to see if you can fit me into it. If you can’t, if you decide it’s not worth forgiving me, then...”
    Then what? He had no idea. He breathed in her scent and tried to imagine what he’d do with himself if he had to let her go again. It would be so much harder this time. This time, he’d be chained by the memory of her body, of knowing how good it was between them. Knowing he’d never have that even one more time, and that he’d never find it with anyone else.
    Her back rose against his hands as she took a deep breath. “I know you’ll hurt me again.”
    “I won’t. I—”
    “Stop. You will. Loving someone...that means feeling things that will hurt sometimes, in small ways, at least. And in big ways when things go wrong.”
    “Eve...” He shook his head.
    “But I learned how to be strong when you left. Stronger than I thought I was. I got through it.”
    He nodded. “I know. You’re amazing. You always have been.”
    “So, even though it will hurt, I think I can get through it. Even if it ends. I don’t need to be so scared.”
    Brian held his breath, waiting to see what she meant.
    “Yes,” she finally whispered, face still hidden against his chest.
    “What?” he breathed.
    “You’re worth the risk. And I’m worth taking the chance. I still love you, Brian.” The words broke, rough with tears. “I never stopped. I tried, but I couldn’t make it stop. I didn’t know how.”
    He wasn’t the kind of man who cried easily. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he had. At his father’s funeral, probably, five years before. But now his eyes burned, and he had to squeeze them shut to stop the tears.
    “I love you,” she said again, as if she were making herself face it.
    “Thank God, Eve. Thank God. I’ve missed you so much.” He tipped her chin up and kissed her. He didn’t stop kissing her for a long time, not until he’d maneuvered her into her bedroom and onto the bed. He reached past her to switch on the bedside lamp and Eve squeaked.
    “Turn that off!”
    “Are you kidding me? I have to make up for all these years of not seeing you naked.”
    She gave a huff of incredulous laughter and strained toward the light. “No way.”
    “Come on.” He eased her sweater up and pressed a kiss to her ribs. “Please. I want to see you. All of you. Naked and turned on and open to me.” He pressed a kiss to her belly, then lower, just above her navel. He unbuttoned her jeans. “Please?”
    Eve groaned and dropped her head to the mattress. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? I could have hired a personal trainer.”
    “You’re gorgeous,” he murmured as he tugged down her jeans. “Perfect.” She was. She always had been. Soft and natural and sweet. He reached for her panties and pulled them down before he could stop her.
    “Hey!” She kicked at him with a bare foot, but he just grabbed her ankle and kissed the inside of her knee.
    “Stop!” She pulled her ankle out of his grasp and squeezed her thighs together, but she was laughing.
    “I’m going to see all of you. A lot. Every day. Give in gracefully.”
    She smiled up at him,