Free Ravish by Aliyah Burke

Chapter One
    He had returned to Cottonwood Falls.
    Hermione Windsor ducked her head as he scanned
the bank interior. She knew what others would see when they looked
at him. A man whose appearance was identical to that of an
up-and-coming action movie star. In fact, most might not know it
was Brody Paget, who’d at one time lived here in Cottonwood Falls.
After all, once he’d left here, he’d changed his name to Alton
Rivers…his screen name.
    They may not know, but she did. With a sniff, she
lifted her head. She had no reason to be ashamed. She wasn’t
the one who’d left. She hadn’t abandoned her fiancé without
a word. And yet, seeing him, here and now, brought it back. All of it. The good, the bad, and the excruciatingly
painful.
    Taking a deep breath, she withdrew the money and
counted it out to Mrs. Cofax who waited. “There you are, Mrs.
Cofax. Have a great day.”
    “You know, Hermione. You’re always such a joy. Every
day I see you, you’re always so cheerful. Aren’t you the president
yet?”
    Not feeling particularly cheery right now. “Thank you. I’m waiting a year or so more before my takeover,” she
said, smiling at the man behind her current customer, the actual
president of the bank.
    “She’ll have my job very soon, Mrs. Cofax,” Mr.
Pringle commented. “Mark my words, she’s destined.”
    The woman turned and welcomed him. Beyond them,
Hermione spied Brody still in line. His shades hid his dark brown
gaze. I wonder if karma will bite me for avoiding him. Bite.
A singular word, which tempted her with memories. She’d done that
to him a time or two, as well as being the recipient of some marks
herself. No. I will not go there.
    “Ms. Windsor,” her boss said. “A moment.”
    She up moved her closed window sign in position with
a sigh, gave Mrs. Cofax a farewell smile, and left the chair. Mr.
Pringle met her at the end of the four teller windows.
    “Yes, sir?”
    “I wanted to thank you again for coming in to help
out.”
    “No need. Shelia didn’t plan to go into labor early.
I have no problem running a window. I’ve been running since high
school.”
    “It’s just not common for you to do so anymore,
especially as you’re now the finance officer of the bank.”
    He sounded distraught, and she hastened to calm his
fears. “We’re family. I will help people when they need it. Our
patrons understand we’re short staffed currently.”
    “I’ll take over now. I know you haven’t had a
lunch.”
    “Sure thing.” If Brody was in here, it was the last
place she needed to be. On the other hand… No, I don’t need to
do this now.
    Moving to the back, she grabbed her container of
leftover perciatelli and meatballs then placed it in the microwave.
While it reheated, she withdrew her salad before she added the
breadsticks for the final remaining seconds of the heating process
of the pasta.
    At the small table, she ate, in no particular rush,
enjoying her meal. The rest of her day flowed along smoothly. It
was later than she’d planned when she left, for she had some
paperwork to catch up on before she could depart.
    The sun had begun to lower in the sky when she walked
out of the bank. Heading to her car, she took a deep breath, ready
to get off her feet and relax for a bit. She placed her bag on the
passenger seat and started to round to the driver’s side.
    “Hermione.”
    The voice wove around her, rooting her to the spot.
She closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and turned to meet
the man behind her. Ten years wasn’t nearly long enough for her to
forget him, no matter how he’d changed. She would know him
anywhere. Regardless of what name he went by.
    “Hello.” Yes, that would work. Be calm,
unimpressed .
    He towered over her. Always had. Brody had never
failed to make her feel small, delicate even. And protected. The
important thing for me to remember here is the word had in
all those thoughts.
    “I didn’t recognize you in the bank when I was there
at