The Fine Line Book One Between Worlds Series by Tracee Ford Read Free Book Online Page A

You’re afraid to trust
me,” he continued.
    Still, she said nothing as her brown eyes
stung and the lump in her throat grew bigger. He smiled sweetly
with an understanding she longed for.
    “ Don’t be afraid. I won’t
hurt you.”
    “ If I had a penny for each
time I’ve heard that one…”
    “ I know. I know. You’d be
rich.”
    “ Matt, I’m not one to beat
around the bush,” she began, her head still resting on his
shoulder, “But, you need to know that I’ve been through some very
nasty things. I don’t want to go through those things
again.”
    “ You want to tell me about
it?”
    Hesitatingly, she sighed.
    “ I was involved with
someone. He was very charming, seemingly dependable, and at the
start of our relationship, he was very sweet. As time went on, my
life with him became a complete nightmare. There was a lot of
betrayal and he used to… to… hurt me… physically,” she stammered.
“There were times that I wasn’t sure how violent he would become,
but eventually I found out. At one time, I thought he was going to
kill me. Luckily, he didn’t. Since then, I’ve not been the same.
I’m broken, really; damaged. I will always be broken I think. I’ve
dated off and on, but really the men I’ve went out with have been
losers. And even if they were good men, I don’t think I gave any of
them a fair chance. I don’t want to do that with you because you do
seem really great.”
    “ Another problem I’ve run
into involved ex-wife issues, which brings me to my insecurity with
your situation. What about your ex-wife?”
    “ What about
her?”
    “ Are things over with her?
Does she still possess the power to reel you back in?”
    “ First of all, she’s
married and she’s not my problem anymore, thank God. That’s the
beauty of divorce. Second of all, the only person I run to is my
daughter. I don’t have any unresolved feelings for my ex-wife. In
situations concerning my daughter, Sheryl tends to use me and I
know this, but I feel an obligation to take care of my
child.”
    “ I don’t think you
understand what I’m asking you. Are you still in love with
her?”
    “ Hell no,” he answered
looking her square in the face.
    “ Are you sure?”
    He stopped dancing and cupped her face in
his hands.
    “ Yes. I’m
sure.”
    The finality in his expression finally built
some confidence in Robin.
    Leaning in, he kissed her thoughtfully and
then began to sway again.
    After leaving the club, they went back to
Robin’s apartment complex. As Robin sat in the cab of the truck
staring up at the dark windows of the building, a battle raged
within her. She wondered if Matt had ill intentions; whether he
would push her into physical intimacy.
    “ Do you mind if I walk you
to your door?” he asked.
    “ Not at all,” she
answered.
    He hopped out of the truck and opened the
passenger side door, offering his hand to her.
    Slowly they walked up the stairs to her
door.
    “ Tonight was great,” he
said.
    “ Yes it was.”
    “ I’ll be at your next
softball game if you want me to be, but I’ll only be there under
one condition,” he started.
    “ A condition?”
    “ Yes, a condition. You
have to keep coming to Wednesday night bowling,” he
concluded.
    “ Of course I will.” She
said with a smile.
    Robin’s nerves overtook her, but not for
long. Matt romantically leaned down and kissed her lips
thoughtfully. The tip of his tongue ran across her lips as she put
her arms around his neck to feel him close to her. Slowly, he
pulled back, her arms still around his neck.
    “ I will text you when I’ve
made it home,” he whispered.
    She nodded, trying to catch her breath. She
released him and watched him walk to his truck.

    ****

    Monday as Robin sat at her computer in her
office, she became lost in her thoughts. She reminisced about the
weekend and how wonderful it was. She remembered fondly the way
Matt’s lips felt on hers and the way his hand cupped her face
perfectly. She remembered the