April's Promise (Forever Love Series) by Karen Rose Smith Read Free Book Online

curves that he suddenly wanted to touch very much.  She needed
to get out of those clothes for his well-being as much as hers.
    "I'm
on my way.  I washed my sweat suit this morning and it's in the laundry room in
the dryer."
    "I
could have gotten it for you," he mumbled.
    "I'll
be fine, Gabe.  A little bit of rain isn't going to hurt me."
    "A
lot of rain," he said with a grimace, noticing the mole on the left side
of her cheek usually hidden by her hair.  Her bangs were drying, but the rest
of it was still wet even though it looked as if she might have tried to towel
the moisture out of it.  He was too intensely aware of everything about her. 
He smelled perfume mixed with rain and his gut tightened.
    "How
about some hot chocolate after I get changed?" April asked.  "You can
sit in front of the fire.  Maybe help Stephie build something with her
blocks."
    "That's
your idea of a relaxing Saturday afternoon?" he asked with a raised brow.
    "That's
exactly my idea of a relaxing Saturday afternoon."
    As he
gazed down at her, he could remember her taste, the feel of her in his arms,
the softness of her hair.  He remembered everything about last night's kiss in
vivid detail, so vividly in fact, his body was aching to hold hers close
again.  Her deep brown eyes sparkled with the knowledge of kissing him too, and
the idea of doing it again was so very tempting.  He almost bent his head.  He
almost pulled her close.
    Once
upon a time Gabe had dreamed of a Saturday afternoon just like this, sitting in
front of a fire with his wife and a child.  But April wasn't his wife.  She was
April.  And although she loved Stephie, this was a novelty for her and he
suspected too many days of it and she'd get bored.
    "Go
get changed," he said again gruffly.  "Stephie and I will have the
hot chocolate ready by the time you're dressed."
    As
April turned to head for the laundry room, Gabe realized he had to learn to
enjoy the moment...because sometimes moments were all a person could ever have.
    ****
    After
April pulled the clean laundry from the dryer and dumped it into the wash
basket on Monday afternoon, she banged the door.  Ever since Gabe had kissed
her on Friday night, he'd kept his distance, almost acting as if he didn't want
to talk to her or be around her.  She was used to the distance.  It had been
there since she'd left for Singapore.  She'd hoped if she stayed here now...
    Gabe
had been a faithful, committed husband who loved his wife dearly.  He was still
grieving and he might never, ever get over Vanessa.  She had to face that
fact.  Maybe after their kiss, he'd felt guilty as if he'd betrayed his wife.  That was ironic.  A little devil in her head whispered, If you tell him about
Vanessa's betrayal, he might turn to you .
    But
April shook the thought away.  She didn't want Gabe on the rebound.  She didn't
want to be a substitute.  She wanted him to love her for herself, but that
might not happen.  If she told him the truth, he might blame her for hiding
it.  There were no easy solutions here.  Every decision could lead to an emotional
mine field.
    What
she needed was some perspective, and getting out of the house might provide
that.  She loved being with Stephie and Gabe but the complications of their
future relationship was sometimes overwhelming.  To make good decisions she had
to be clear-headed and that meant not thinking about Stephie and Gabe
twenty-four hours a day.
    Stephie
was taking a nap when April checked the clock in the kitchen, wondering if Nicholas
might be in his office.  She took out her cell.  He said he would give her a
tour of Constellation and she'd like that.  If he was serious about wanting her
opinion on a couple of ventures, she knew analyzing the numbers would help
focus her attention for a while.
    After
his secretary asked who was calling, she put April on hold.  A few moments
later, Nicholas' voice came through loud and clear.  "Hi, April.  What's
up?"
    She'd
always felt