Free Rising by Holly Kelly Page B

me, was her last coherent thought.
    His warm lips pressed down on hers. His mouth moved expertly, coaxing hers into response. And respond she did. A flame ignited a hunger and need she hadn’t even realized she possessed. Her hands, of their own accord, rose to his head, her fingers weaving through his hair as she attempted to pull him closer.
    This was a new experience for her. She’d never dreamed a kiss could be so amazing. His mouth worked magic with hers, a magic that seemed to have the power to bring her to life in a way she’d never felt alive before. She barely noticed being lifted out of her chair, didn’t notice the ties anchoring her blanket rip away. But when she felt the blanket begin to slide, the spell shattered into a million jagged pieces. If the blanket slid any more, he would see her deformity!
    S ara attempted to pull away from his iron grip. Somehow, the blanket still covered her, thank goodness.
    “ Mr. Dimitriou, please stop,” she breathed as he trailed hot kisses down her neck.
    He didn’t seem to hear her as he continued his gentle assault.
    “ Mr. Dimitriou, stop!”
    H is body froze.
    “Sara ,” he said through ragged breaths. “I’m so sorry.”
    “It’s okay ,” she said, breathless herself.
    “ No. No, it’s not. I should have known better than to kiss you in your condition. It was unforgivable of me.”
    What did that mean? Why should her being in a wheelchair keep him from kissing her? Realization dawned on her as her heart sank. “I was right. I knew you’d never consider me as a real possibility for a relationship.” Her lips burned from his kisses and her body cherished his embrace. She wanted him, obviously much more than he wanted her. How dare he toy with her like that? “It’s a good thing I’m a crippled girl. At least you have your pity. Would you please put me down?”
    “You misunderstand me.” He shook his head as he continued to cradle her in his arms.
    A single tear trailed down her cheek. “My mother was right about one thing. Guys are pigs.” She slapped the tear away.
    “Your being paraplegic has nothing to do with it,” Xanthus said with ragged breath.
    “Oh really? Then what do you mean you couldn’t kiss me in my condition ?” She slapped her hand against his chest.
    He paused for a moment. “You were vulnerable. Your call from your mother upset you and it was wrong of me to take advantage of you in that state.”
    “Oh. So you weren’t talking about my physical condition?”
    “Sara , you’re beautiful whether you walk on two feet, ride on wheels, or any other possibilities. Nothing changes that fact.”
    Her heart leapt at the chance that he was telling the truth. Could he accept her the way she was? “But what if my legs are horribly deformed?” She lowered her head and pressed her forehead into his shoulder.
    “ It doesn’t matter. You’re beautiful to me.” Gently, he lowered her into the wheelchair.
    S ara immediately pressed the blanket firmly in place. She noticed Mr. Dimitriou’s hair was sticking up in odd places, his shirt was rumpled, and his brows furrowed. He looked incredible.
    “Listen, would you do something for me?” he asked.
    “Sure .”
    “Will you promise me you’ll be careful? Don’t go anywhere alone after dark. Keep that pepper spray handy when you’re out even in the daylight. And if you need me, please call me anytime day or night.” Xanthus snatched a pad and pen from next to her phone, scribbling out his phone number.
    “Do you have a cell ?” he asked.
    “Well , no, but if my business keeps growing, I’ll be able to afford one in a couple of months.”
    “I’ll bring you one tomorrow .”
    “ Listen, I appreciate all you’ve done, but you can’t keep spending money on me. I’m not a child. I can take care of myself,” she said with her chin up.
    “ Please Sara, for my peace of mind. Let me get you a cell phone. Let’s just consider it included it in your rent.” He tensed, waiting