Free Hard Lovin' by Desiree Holt Page A

night,” she said, “I had already realized I couldn’t go through with everything, even though the wedding was all set.
    Only I didn’t know what to do. How to call it off.” She let out a stuttering breath. “I know you won’t believe me but the first time I saw you I felt something. I couldn’t figure out how to handle it. And I wasn’t sure I could even trust my feelings after the mess I’d made of my life.”
    “What happened to change things?” he demanded. “Why did you come back by yourself? Go home with me that night?”
    She sniffed. “Every time I came back with my friends the feelings got stronger and stronger. And there was something about your music, about the sound and the words that struck right into my heart. You’re unlike any man I’ve ever known. Ever been with.
    The only one I’ve ever really believed I could trust.” She paused. “Could love.”
    “Just like that?”
    “Just like that.” I know it sounds crazy but that’s what happened. I had no idea what to do or how to approach you. I figured no matter what I said you’d think I was crazy.”
    He made a strange sound. “No kidding.”
    “So. That Saturday night. The house was jammed with people, the backyard was full of catering staff getting ready for my big day, my father was everywhere telling people how great this marriage would be for me.” She spread out her hands. “I couldn’t breathe, so I just ran. Straight to Smoky’s. And you. When you came to sit at my table I took that as a sign. And then…” She looked at him helplessly, sick to death at how it was all falling apart.
    “Yes. And then.”
    “Grady, I am so very sorry for putting you in this position, but I don’t regret asking you to take me with you. Or being with you.” Tears dripping from her eyes again, she finally looked at him. “I never believed it was possible to fall in love so quickly. You don’t have any reason to trust what I’m saying but it’s the truth. What I have with you is better than anything I ever thought I’d have in my life. I don’t want to lose it. Please, please, please.”
    When he didn’t say a word or make a move a cold ball of ice dropped into her stomach and arrows of pain shot through her heart. She pushed herself out of the chair and stood up, pulling the frayed edges of her dignity around her. “It’s okay. I understand. I’ll get hold of my father and tell him to call off the dogs. I deliberately left my cell phone in the truck so I’ll have to call from here, if it’s okay.”
    Then Grady’s face softened, he opened his arms and she ran into them, the ice melting. His arms closed around her and she felt as if she was home.
    “Oh, Grady.” She pressed her wet face against his chest. “Please tell me you forgive me. I never meant to hurt you. There was no way I could go back. I couldn’t. And I lost my heart to you the minute I saw you. I was afraid if I told you the truth you’d send me home and honestly? That wasn’t an option for me.”
    “Shh.” He stroked her hair. “You put me—us—in a terrible situation, but I can really understand why.”
    “You can?” she sniffed, looking up at hm.
    “I’d like to kill Cal Stadler, slowly and painfully, for what he did to you. If I ever see him I might. It destroys me that you had to go through something like that. Erin, I’m humbled that after all that you’d trust me enough to respond to me.”
    “There was something between us right from the start, Grady. A feeling. I knew you’d never hurt me.” She gave him a weak laugh. “I swear your music seduced me.”
    He sighed. “And I think I fell in love with you the first night you came into the bar.
    The first time we made love I felt that connection, but the past five years have been such a bitch for me. I was afraid to trust that something this good could happen to me.” He kissed the top of her head.
    “Before we let the world in, will you tell me what pain has driven you so hard? You