A Haunted Heart by Kristi Pelton Read Free Book Online

she learned the truth? The disappointment her brown eyes held cranked a vise tighter on my heart.
    “Hey, Adam.”
    “Listen. Thanks for the note yesterday. It was sort of a crazy day.” I rubbed my dirty hands on the front of my jeans.
    “Adam. It’s ok.   You don’t have to explain.” Attempting to step around me, I blocked her. She stared at her feet and took a step back.
    “Please come by tonight. Eight o’clock. I’ll pick you up if you like.”
    When I lifted her chin, hope was there…I spotted it in the sparkle in her eyes.
    “I don’t want to drive.”
    “I’ll pick you up at 7:30 then.”
    Her half-hearted smile wasn’t much to leave me with…but it was enough.
     
     
     

Chapter 9—Anna
     
    Adam and I were texting, and every time my phone chimed a thrill shot through me.  For the first time in nearly eleven months I felt alive.  Leery about getting my hopes too high, there was something in his eyes today—a secret or something that he was longing to tell.
    While waiting for the next text, I stepped over the toys that had remained in place for so long. The thought crossed my mind to move them, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.  A wife! He’s married? Maybe that’s what it was. I covered my face with the agony of the thought. I’d walk away immediately if that were the case.
    The thought of him leaving already created dread—but this was a goodbye or departure I would be prepared for.
    He texted after our conversation and invited me to dinner.  While in the shower, I examined my unshaven…parts. Ugh. Disgusting. In medical school, we paid for a waxing when we could, but there was no waxing salon in this small town. A sharp razor was a must. My hands shook as I shaved the most delicate areas of my body…my scrambled thoughts caught somewhere between Michael’s touch and the anticipation of Adam’s.
    As I toweled off, just thinking his name forced everything beneath my belly button to clench. My breasts were already full of blood and anticipation. With my towel wrapped around me, I passed our wedding picture in the hall. Michael and Adam were so different. Michael, my handsome pharmacist. Even in our wedding picture, his sideburns held a touch of gray. God he hated that. When I realized I was standing in the hallway smiling, I touched my heart, relieved that thoughts of him brought smiles for the first time rather than tears.
    “Michael. Forgive me. I want this. It won’t be long term. But I need to feel. I want to feel.”
    Tears.
     
    I had not ‘dated’ for a while so this was new to me…especially with a man almost five years younger. When I stepped out onto the porch, he narrowed his eyes in my direction.
    “I was coming up to get you.” His shoulders slumped.
    “Adam. I may be elderly to you but I’m not handicapped.” I winked.
    “It’s proper,” he said. “No gunny sack tonight?”
    His roaming blue eyes sparkled as they took in the sight of me from head to toe—the fitted sundress I had bought today along with the sweater I tossed over my shoulders for later.
    “Guess that means you should take off your shirt now, huh?”
    A slow smile met both of our faces. Adam was perfect. Maybe it was because I was older by a few years.  But as he smiled and held out his hand, I noticed how it engulfed mine…and the hem, on the sleeves of his shirt, gripped his biceps as if the hem was stretched to capacity. His longer hair mussed up in the front made him sexy as hell, but the two-day’s worth of growth on his face—did me in.  A longing pulled from between my legs.
    Once in his truck, the orange and black lights and blow up decorations around the neighborhood were coming to life. We both shook our heads and rolled our eyes at the craziness as we happily pulled away and drove from town.
    As the town and the memories disappeared behind us…I had made up my mind. I was a 31-year-old woman, and without a doubt I wanted to have sex with this man…so…I was going