Free One Heart to Give (Heart's Intent Book 1) by Dawn Brower Page A

what this is. It’s past time to see if there’s more between us. We were friends once. I want more than that.”
    She shook her head. “What about Jessica? Don’t you have a family? Kids?”
    What about her? She was nothing to him and there were no kids. There might have been if Jessica hadn’t lost the baby. Maybe that was fate’s why of ending things cleanly between them. Dani thought there was something that would hold him back. That he had something more with his ex-wife. And why shouldn’t she believe that? After what she walked in on… “Jessica and I are not together.”
    Her eyebrows puzzled up. Confusion filled her gaze. “But I saw…”
    He interrupted her, “Forget what you saw. That was Jessica up to her old games. We’ve been over for a while now. She refuses to accept it.” Ren stared into Dani’s eyes. “Trust me. I don’t want anything to do with her.”
    Dani gulped and glanced down. Did he get through to her? He hoped so.
    “You don’t have any children?” Dani scrunched up her eyebrows as she stared up at him with a perplexed expression on her face.
    “No. Jessica was pregnant, but she miscarried a couple years ago.” He’d wanted kids, and at the time it had upset him. After their marriage imploded he’d been glad they hadn’t brought any children into their mess. “At the time it was painful for us both.”
    “I don’t understand.” She paced the room, and then stopped suddenly. “It doesn’t matter. Not anymore.”
    “What doesn’t?” Ren tilted his head and studied her. He was missing something, but he wasn’t sure what. Why was this important to her? “Tell me what’s bothering you.”
    She shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
    Ren wouldn’t push. She’d tell him everything in time. For now, he was happy they were finally talking. The rest would come over time. He could be patient as long as she allowed him to be a part of his life.
    “When you’re ready I’m here. You know you can tell me anything right?” He stepped closer to her and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “I want nothing more than to be a part of your life again.”
    “I don’t know if I can do what you want,” she whispered. “I hurt.”
    He pulled her into his arms and held her close. “I hurt too. We can figure it out together.”
    It was the only way. He would accept nothing less. Once and for all he would make sure of it. This was the beginning they should have had years ago. Sometimes things happened for a reason. Ren had to believe their separation needed to happen for them to appreciate each other in ways they never would have otherwise.
    She sighed. “I don’t know if I can do that.”
    “Don’t say no,” he begged. “Try to consider the possibilities.”
    “Ren…”
    He put a finger over her lips. “Don’t say it.”
    She stayed silent. He sent up a silent prayer that she’d see reason over time. Dani was too important to him. Ren had to convince her to try.
    “I have tickets to a fundraiser for the hospital. I’d like you to go with me.”
    She shook her head. “It’s not a good idea.”
    He wouldn’t let her say no. “Think about it. It’s in a few days. I’ll call you and ask again later.”
    Ren rushed out of the office before she could say no. Dani would be a tough nut to crack, but he was up for the challenge. If he left her alone to think things over she might come around. If she required time, he could give it to her. He’d waited this long, so he could hold out for a little while longer. She was worth it.

Chapter Seven
    Dani studied the legal documents sitting on her desk. How was she supposed to think after what happened with Ren? He’d left her a bumbling mess of emotions. The kiss… Oh hell, Ren kissed her, really did, not something she’d imagined. She lifted her hand and ran her fingers across her lips. This was uncharted territory. Something she’d never in a million years believed would happen. The