Finding Opa! by Latrivia S. Nelson Read Free Book Online Page A

had opened up so much to anyone, so long since someone else could identify with their tribulations.
     
    As Hunter watched Stacey explain the beauty of completing a novel, he began to feel worried. Had they opened Pandora’s Box? Would they be able to close it? Maybe it was the knowledge that in two months, they would both walk away from this experience and be better for it. Maybe it was because they knew that nothing would be lost. But something was happening tonight between the two of them, and it was strong – strong enough to scare him. However, he was unable to stop himself or his curiosity. With every secret that they shared, somehow he felt better, more alive. Stacey was changing him.
     
    “What about you?” she asked, oblivious to his thoughts. “What makes you happiest about your career?” Rubbing her hands on her jeans, she put down her bottle.
     
    “Saving lives,” he said sincerely. He looked up in the night sky. “I’ve saved six women from ovarian cancer, saved countless more from the misery of discomfort and sickness. It makes me feel good inside.”
     
    “I’m sure,” Stacey said, proud for him. “That has to be an unbelievable feeling. You know, when my mom died of ovarian cancer, it scared the shit out of me. I wondered how I would recover from her loss. When I did start to have sex, I got checked more than any other girl I know. It was because I had felt so helpless with her situation, and I never wanted to feel that way again. And look at you. You save lives every day. That’s amazing. I mean, I’ve never saved anyone before. The feeling must be unimaginable.”
     
    Hunter felt quite the opposite. For just one evening, without knowing it, she was saving him from the boredom that they fondly spoke of.
     
    As a light drizzle of rain began, Stacey and Hunter headed back to her apartment. With every block, Hunter felt a tightness in his chest. He wanted more time with her. Their next date was scheduled for next week. Doubting he could wait that long, he sifted through his schedule in his mind. Who could he cancel? What could he do to see her sooner?
     
    Stacey walked closer than before to him. In stride with each other, she reached out her hand and slid into his strong embrace. There was something about him that seemed familiar. And nothing felt familiar about men anymore. Ever since Drew passed, she felt alone in the world, like no one understood her. But Hunter did.
     
    He looked down as he took her hand in his own. Her warm lingers felt good. Squeezing her lightly, he pulled it up to his mouth and kissed it.
     
    “You’re a good man, Hunter,” she said softly.
     
    The lyrical tone of her voice sounded like music to his ears. It had been a long time since a woman had given him such a kind yet sincere compliment.
     
    The rain began to pour heavily when they arrived at her apartment. Unlocking the door, she almost invited him in. Almost. Opening the door, she turned, looked up into his jewel green eyes, fluttering under heavy, tired lashes and sighed. “Thanks for tonight,” she said, coming to grips with the fact that it had to end.
     
    “No, thank you,” he said, stepping closer. “Look, I know that we said that we’d do this once a week, but I was really hoping that I could see you tomorrow.” He waited.
     
    Stacey shrugged in a tiny, delicate motion that drew attention to the slim column of her neck. “I have to write most of the day, but we could catch dinner afterwards, if you like.”
     
    “That sounds nice,” he said, inching closer.
     
    “Jeans and t-shirt type of dinner?” she asked, her voice cracked.
     
    “Definitely.” His voice was lower now, even more seductive.
     
    Unable to help himself, Hunter lifted her delicate chin up and cupped her oval face in his hands. How beautiful she was. What a sight to behold. Her brown smooth skin felt like satin, hot and alive, perfectly toned like the rest of her, free of blemishes, full of youth.
     
    Running his