Free TIS THE SEASON...FOR ROMANCE (WESTMORELAND/MASTERS/JEFFERIES) by Brenda Jackson

giving her so much strength.
    To be held in a man’s arms and kissed by him as if she was the only female on earth made her want to embrace womanhood in a whole new light. Who would have thought that at fifty, after divorcing the man she’d spent over thirty years with, that she could feel such strong sexual sensations. More than she could comprehend.
    And when he finally released her mouth, her head fell limply to his chest. He continued to hold her while she breathed in his manly scent and fought to get her bearings. Although questions began forming in her mind of how such a thing with them was possible, she knew the reason. Rick wasn’t like other men. And he was doing a good job of making her feel like she wasn’t like other women.
    She tilted her head back and gazed up at him, not knowing what to say and decided at a time like this it was probably best not to say anything at all. He reached out and the tip of his thumb stroked her cheek and he whispered in a soft voice. “I’m going to make it my business to erase every bit of pain and hurt that I see lingering in your eyes.”
    She became mesmerized by his words and fought against the thickness she suddenly felt in her throat. Those words would always be precious to her regardless of whether he was able to do what he’d said he would do or not. It was the thought that he wanted to achieve them that counted the most.
    And then his head dipped toward hers again and the moment their lips touched and their tongues tangled, she knew that Rick Blair assumed she was once again ready for love, both to give it and to receive it.
    Now the question that raced through her mind was whether or not she truly was.
     
    * * *
     
    “Thanks for spending the day with me, Barbara. I had a good time and enjoyed your company.”
    Barbara glanced over at Rick as he walked her to her door. It was after midnight and they were just returning from Ocala, but she had to admit she could have stayed even longer. Sid’s fiancée had arrived by the time they’d returned from riding and she and Margo had hit it off immediately. They even had something in common since both their daughters were engaged to be married. Margo’s daughter had decided on a Valentine wedding, so Barbara and Margo had had a lot to talk about.
    Barbara and Rick had spent the rest of the day with the couple playing cards, bingo and Taboo. Sid had set up the grill and put on ribs and steak, and later when the sun had gone down the four of them had gone horseback riding again. Afterwards, they had sat around and chatted like old friends. Sid and Margo had suggested that they get together again in the future and taking Barbara’s hand in his and smiling over at her, Rick had assured them that they would.
    “And I had a good time as well, although I figure I’ll be sore in the morning from riding. But it was fun.”
    They had reached her door and since she already had the key in her hand she turned to him. “Would you like to come in?” For some reason she felt comfortable in asking him that. The more she was around him the more self-assured she felt.
    “Just for a quick moment. It’s late and you’re probably tired. But I’d like to invite you to brunch tomorrow over at my place.”
    Barbara swallowed deeply. She hadn’t been to his home and wouldn’t deny she was curious. “I’d love to come.”
    “Do you want me to pick you up here?”
    She shook her head. “No, you can give me the address and I can find it.” She figured if she had her car she could leave whenever she liked.
    “Okay. I’ll call you in the morning with the address.”
    “All right. I’m going to early morning service and should be back home around ten.”
    “I’ll call you then.”
    The last time he had walked her to her door he had kissed her hand, but tonight he’d said he would come inside for a quick moment. That meant he would probably kiss her again. They had kissed several times that day and she enjoyed each and every one of