Read Online Write to Me by Nona Raines - Free Book Online

looked at a few,” Desi said. “But they were pretty boring to my twelve-year-old self. Just a lot of mushy love stuff. Then Abuelita found me in here and told me it was a sin to read someone’s private letters. She made me feel so guilty I never so much as peeked at them again.”
    “Well, you’re a grown up, no need to feel guilty anymore. If you’d like to look at a few, it’s fine with me.”
    Desi’s eyes lit up. “Really?” She took a letter, then let it dangle between her fingers. “Wait. There’s nothing X-rated in these, is there? There are some things about my parents I don’t want to know.”
    “Desi, don’t be ridiculous.” A flash of unease made her hesitate. “Uh, hold on.” She took the letter from her daughter’s hand and quickly scanned it before handing it back. “No, that one’s fine. Go ahead.”
    “Mom!” Desiree’s plaintive, horrified cry made her sound just like the twelve-year-old she once was.
    Gloria snickered, then went back to reading her own letter. For the first few years after Emilio died, she’d returned to these letters again and again to remind herself of their love. Remind herself that he would always be with her. But as time went on, she’d come to them less and less often.
    Maybe that was the problem. She’d told Desiree that Emilio was her once-in-a-lifetime love, but truth be told, his memory had dimmed over time. Perhaps that was inevitable. After all, she’d had to work, care for her daughter, move on with her life.
    There had been other men. She’d been completely faithful to Emilio, body and soul, when he was alive. But once he was gone, he had no use for her body. He was an earthy, physical man who understood that women had the same needs as men. Gloria knew he wouldn’t begrudge her seeking companionship and warmth. Sensual pleasure. And she was always careful in her choice of partners. Her liaisons were physically satisfying, based on friendship and respect. Never on love. She remained faithful to Emilio in her heart.
    But Bryan had slipped by her guard. She’d told herself she was only trying to help him, but she was kidding herself. The more time she spent with him, the deeper her attraction grew. Their kiss three days ago only proved it. Even now, as she remembered his honey-flavored kisses, heat spiraled through her and her lips tingled.
    She’d made the right decision not to see him again. She didn’t want to be the spoiler, even if Bryan and Courtney were officially no longer a couple. As long as his feelings were engaged elsewhere, Gloria would be the “other woman.”
    Don’t lie to yourself. You’re not just being noble. You’re scared.
    Deep down her feelings for Bryan were more than simple physical attraction. Which made no sense, as they’d only spent a few hours together over the span of two days. Being with him was exhilarating and a little frightening. No point in hiding from the truth. She wanted to sleep with him. Desperately. But if they went to bed together, she wasn’t sure she’d escape with her heart intact.
    And how would Emilio feel about that?
    “Oohhh.” Desi’s coo of admiration drew her attention. “ Mami , he wrote you a poem.”
    Gloria placed her letter back in the shoebox, unable to read further with Bryan on her mind. She’d have to work harder to shake him loose.
    “Yes, we loved poetry, your father and I. We used to lie in bed together and read it to each other.” Those were some of her most special memories of her husband. Lopez was one of their favorite poets, which was why Gloria had ordered his early collection from Mr. Miłosc. How sad that she couldn’t share it with Emilio.
    Desi sighed, holding her father’s letter to her chest. “So romantic.”
    “So which poem did you find?”
    “The one about your hair. All the ways he describes it. It’s strange, though. I don’t remember him being so poetic. It doesn’t sound like him.”
    True enough. He’d been a passionate man, but not a