Read Online The Heart of Mine by Amanda Bennett - Free Book Online Page A

house, so I wasn't too worried about popping by unannounced. I was half way up to the steps when I heard a low whistle coming from behind me. I turned quickly to see what was making the noise and was pleasantly surprised when Madison came out from behind a tree near his front porch.
    "Well look who decided to come see lil ole me." He whistled.
    "Don't be cocky, cowboy."
    "I thought that's exactly how you liked me, pretty girl."
    He definitely knew exactly what to say to make me weak. "You know it." I whispered as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
    "Does this mean you forgive me?"
    "Ah, now that is a good question. Walk with me?" I asked.
    His other arm joins the first and he is now walking behind me with both arms holding me tightly against him. The heat from his touch is enough to bring me to my knees, but I try to keep my composure until we have finished our conversation from earlier. His head dips just low enough that his chin tickles the crook of my neck. I can feel the slight stubble that has formed on his face in two days, and I come to the realization that he hasn't been shaving and by the smell of things, possibly not showering either.
    I giggle to myself as we reach a small open patch of land. I didn't think he noticed, until he spins me around in his arms so I am now facing him. I try to look away, not giving him the satisfaction of knowing just how much he affects me. As I try to look past him, his tantalizing green eyes catch me in their crosshairs, and I'm a goner.
    "Are you tryin' to avoid me?"
    "Avoiding, no. But, I am tryin' not to let you do what you do so well."
    "And what would that be exactly?"
    I glance up and look directly into his eyes, "This, what you're doing right now, drives me nuts. You're distracting me from what I really want to say."
    "Oh am I?" He whispered just low enough that his warm breath glides across my cool skin, sending goose bumps across my arms.
    "Yes. Now sit down and listen to me damn it."
    He pulled back quickly, giving me a salute. "Yes ma'am."
    I shake me head at his pathetic attempt at humor. "Look Madison, I love you, more than you may ever know. Maybe more than is even healthy for my age, but it's a fact that I can't deny. But, there is one thing I will not stand to let you do, and that is make decisions for me. I have my own brain; my own thoughts and I would appreciate it if you would ask my permission next time you plan out my life for me. Sound fair?" I stood back, hands on hips, tapping my toe against the grass.
    "Pretty girl, come sit by me, please?"
    I plop my overly tired ass down beside him and let him embrace me. I had missed his touch in the last two days. I pressed my back against his chest as his arms wound around me, letting his hands come to rest on my tiny belly.
    "I never meant to make you feel as though you don't have your own thoughts. Of course I want to plan out our life together. You're the only person that I want to make those decisions with. Your granddad just caught me off guard. I half expected him to kick my ass after he found out about the baby, but I knew exactly what he was askin'. He needed to know that I could take care of his little girl. I was thinkin' on my toes and I apologize for not askin' ya first. I felt challenged and I needed him to know that I had a plan."
    I skimmed my fingers across his before intertwining them together. "I get it. I do. Next time, just tell him that we will figure it out, not you and him."
    "Can do. So, you forgive me?"
    "Of course. These last two days have been hell not seein' you."
    "You're tellin' me darlin', I almost snuck into your house last night. That's how desperate I was to see you."
    "Oh really now?"
    "Yes, really." He moaned in my ear.
    "So, why aren't you in Arizona?"
    I knew the question was coming, but I so didn't want to deal with this right now. If anything, I thought it would turn into a fight and now that we were finally speaking again, I didn't want that.
    "No answer?"
    "Yes, I have an