Free Same/Difference (The Depth of Emotion #4) by D.D. Lorenzo Page A

was different. That afternoon reminded me to take pleasure in the little things. I’d become so guarded that my sight grew dim. I don’t know what changed that day other than me. We walked for the longest time and I enjoyed every minute of it. Even the air had more clarity. Falcon touched me and my fingers tingled when he took my hand and led me to a fallen tree. We sat close, listening to the wind as it sang through the pines. The fragrance that followed was heavenly and I closed my eyes to enjoy it. Then we heard a crunch, crunch sound. I squeezed his fingers when a fawn approached. I never expected to enjoy myself so much. My nose and toes were frozen but I didn’t care. Falcon rubbed them to warm them up while we watched a squirrel outwit a fox. Nothing that day was routine. Certainly not the way he behaved or the way I responded. It was…magical.
    I didn’t give it much thought when the weekend was over. It was just a memory I’d cherish. I thought my time with Falcon was a one-time fluke. I didn’t expect anything more from it—until now.
    Maybe it wasn’t magic at all. Maybe it was him. I’d never liked anyone enough to want to know them, but I really liked him. The feelings I had pushed away when the Christmas party was over resurfaced in one night. Even though the date tonight was out of my comfort zone I couldn’t help but dream about the things other women dreamed about. The more I was with him the more I wanted to be with him. So how far did I let this go?
    Falcon was magnetic. I liked being with him, and that was my dilemma. I knew enough to know that appearance was everything, just like the saying. He liked what he saw because it was an illusion. If I saw him again, and I wanted to, how could I tread without drowning? Eventually, I’d have to withdraw. Even though I risked having my feelings crushed, it would be for his own good, and my sanity. When I thought of hurting him I had an ache in my chest, but then again I was being presumptuous to think that he felt enough for me to be hurt. The risk I was really taking was in letting myself go without calculating everything beforehand. It might be painful, but it would be painful for me no matter what. I’d been through worse than what I was anticipating. So what was the problem?
    The problem was I didn’t want to let him go. Yet.
    Tonight was a repeat of the magic I thought I’d only feel once. I loved how special he made me feel. He only said he’d like to see me while he was in Vegas so maybe that was the solution. Vegas. It was a temporary town. Things happened here that would never happen when someone returned to their normal life. It would probably be the same for us. He was as dedicated to his work as I was, not to mention the logistics of where we lived. It was a very sound and convenient excuse. We would probably talk on the phone a few times and, little by little, the “relationship” would fade away—that is, IF one developed. It was a plan.
    As I lay on the bed, I realized I had already fallen back into my old habit of working everything out ahead of time, but at least I felt content. The perfect scenario had presented itself and it didn’t feel overwhelming. He wanted to go out again, and I would go as many times as he asked and I liked. I could enjoy as much of Falcon as I liked while we were here.
    I undressed and put my pajamas on. A million possibilities played out in my mind. As I climbed into bed, I felt lighter than I had in ages. The comforter was as fluffy as my thoughts and I closed my eyes to embrace the mental pictures. It had been a long time since I’d been excited, so I enjoyed each one. Outside I could hear the hum of the roller coaster. It had as many twists and turns as the possibilities I entertained. One thing I was sure of.
    I was in for a thrilling ride.

 
     
    F alcon hadn’t planned a month long stay, but at dinner, when Paige mentioned she would be here that long, he changed his plans. He could market the