Read Online The Risk: Scott's Story (Runaway Love Series Book 2) by Pamela Washington - Free Book Online Page A

We chill out by the pool and drink some tea that Maria, my housekeeper, brings outside for us. I tell Grace this is what English people do; drink tea. I watch as she lights up with a beautiful smile on her face. Maria comes outside and drinks some tea with us. I explain to Grace how Maria’s something like my savior. When I bought this house, Maria pretty much came with it as she and her husband had lived and worked here for many years. Maria’s husband passed away shortly before I bought the house, and even though he left her with several gorgeous properties that they’d invested in, Maria only considered my house her home. She’s an outspoken lady who looks good for her age and has heart of gold. Maria clears the table, and I take Grace’s hand and lead her into the living room. This will be the hardest conversation ever, but we need this so we can move on.
    I look at Grace and notice her beautiful freckles. She turns away from my stare and looks out the window. I reach for her hands and rub them in mine.
    “Grace, this is going to hurt both of us.”
    She doesn’t turn to look at me, but nods her head to let me know she’s listening. I take a deep breath.
    “As much as I love you and want to share my world with you, I can’t. Hell, we can’t. You have a son and you’re married. Tony loves you and can probably give you more than I can. And I just can’t take away Scottie’s sense of safety and security by splitting up his family. I can’t be the reason another kid faces a messed up childhood like we had to.”
    I have her full attention; she looks at me and turns away before I continue.
    “You know it’s true, Grace. I love you and would give you the sun and the moon if I could, but I can’t. I don’t want to cause any more heartache. That’s why I’m sitting down with you and having this last conversation before you go back to your life in the States.”
    “But why can’t you give me the sun and the moon? Why can’t I just give up my whole life to be with you? Don’t you want to know what I want before you go speaking for the both of us?”
    She looks at our hands still joined together. She tries to pull away, but I pull them back.
    “Listen, you know I grew up without my father. He chose to stay with his family instead of being with my mother even though he loved her. I don’t want you to leave Scottie or take Scottie away from his father because you love me, and I’m the one you want to be with. I’m the risk, and you don’t take chances with the risk.” I can feel the pain in my heart just for me saying this out loud.
    I can see Grace crying because she knows I’m speaking the truth.
    “Damn it, Scott! Why did I have to find you? What are you going to do?”
    “I’m going to work on developing a relationship with Maxine…”
    Grace slaps me the minute I say Maxine’s name and runs out of the room. I run behind her until we reach my bedroom. I pick her up and pin her to the bed before I start kissing her.
    “I love you, Grace! Only you! You’ll always be number one! But, we have to stop this heartache between us. We have to stop hurting the people who care about us. They are the innocent victims in our messed up love affair.”
    The tears are pouring down her face, and I kiss each tear drop and express how much I love her with my body. I can feel the energy from her body also. She understands what I’m saying is true, but we need to be together one last time. This is the only way we can say goodbye.
    I wake up with our bodies still connected, and I run my fingers down the length of her body. Ugh, I’m going to miss her in so many ways, but I must be strong for her. I ease out of the bed and walk into my study. I send a text to Tony letting him know that Grace is heading home, and to make sure he treats her like the queen we both know she is.
    I hear the shower running, but I don’t join Grace. I go into the other bathroom to take a shower. Keeping our distance will help and make