Free The Love Letter by Erica Matthews Page A

the book in her hands, and he smiled faintly. “Enjoying the prospect of critiquing my writing for a change?”
    “ There’s nothing I can find to complain about. You’re as good writing literature as you were teaching it.”
    His brows lifted , giving her the full measure of his icy blue stare. “That doesn’t tell me if you like it.”
    “ Do you really want my opinion?”
    Much to her surprise, Meredith joined her on the loveseat. “A writer wants every reader’s opinion.”
    “Well, I’m not finished yet, and I have to admit that I prefer a good romance to a thriller, but I do like it. Did you base the setting on Tybee?”
    “ Yes, I like to use islands as settings, and Tybee is a good choice because I know so much about it. I also happen to think it’s the best place on earth.”
    “ I do, too, actually. I’ve liked it since my first visit many years ago. I suppose that makes you question my motives for being here even more. But I was telling the truth. I didn’t know you grew up here.”
    “ It’s strange that you and I have been here and in Virginia at various times. If I was less grounded in reality, I might start to think it means something.”
    “Is that a warning for me not to get any ideas? Because if so, it’s unnecessary. I’m much more of a realist than you seem to think.”
    “You’ll never convince me of that. I’ve read the letter, remember? You’re as romantic as they come.”
    She looked down and a curtain of hair hid her face. “I wrote the letter a while ago. I’m not sure how much of a romantic I am now.”
    “Look at me, Sabrina,” he demanded softly.
    “ I don’t want to,” she retorted in a husky whisper.
    He laughed in a low tone that sent a shiver down her spine. “ Do it anyway.”
    She looked at him then, her eyes shadowed. “Why? So you can make another of your cutting comments to put me in my place.”
    “ No, I don’t want to say anything.”
    His hand went to her face , his fingers sliding down the curve of her cheek to rest under her chin. Slowly, he lowered his head and kissed her with a gentleness sufficient to deprive her of breath and thought. When her mind did start functioning again, she drew back hurriedly.
    “ Why did you do that?” she asked faintly.
    His slow smile was like a warm caress. His blue eyes, absent of their usual mockery, gave the illusion of affection. For a moment, Sabrina felt the full force of a charm that could make a woman feel she was the most important person in the world.
    “Why does any man kiss a woman , Sabrina? I wanted to.”
    Her lovely eyes widened. “I don’t understand you. You don’t even like me.”
    Meredith caught the book just as it slipped off the couch, a wry smile pulling at his mouth. “What I think about you isn’t important. If the kiss bothers you that much, forget it ever happened.”
    “ I don’t want to forget it,” Sabrina said slowly. “I liked it.” Why in the world had she said such a thing and to the one person who would least want to hear it?
    Meredith moved beside her , and she realized with alarm that he was leaving. Her impetuous tongue had really done it this time. The door opened, and her heart sank.
    “ Once you have time to think about it, you’ll probably change your mind. Goodnight, Sabrina.”
    After the door closed, Sabrina slowly rose to her feet and returned to the desk. Was he serious? Did he think it was possible for her to forget his kiss or even more incredible, decide she didn’t like it? She would never forget the feel of his lips moving over her mouth in that delightful, exciting way.
    As she opened the pile of mail stacked neatly by the phone, she started to cry. The tears in her eyes carried no sadness; they conveyed the deepest kind of joy. Meredith had given her something precious to hold close to her heart. It seemed a shame to wipe away the evidence of such a happy occasion, but Sabrina wasn’t one of those people who cry beautifully. If someone should