Free So Into You by S. L. Carpenter, Sahara Kelly Page B

It
looks like we're starting something here, Phil. A relationship that may go
places. I don't know, and it's probably too early, but I want to be honest. I
think we both deserve that." She sighed.
    Phil nodded. "I appreciate
that. I really do. And I'll honor that promise myself. So tell me, if you want,
what happened between you two that broke you up?"
    "He was an outdoors guy, Phil.
I think you would have liked him. I enjoyed some of the hiking, but he was
serious about it. Really into climbing and stuff—way past my level of comfort.
Anyway, a few friends invited him to climb somewhere outside of Denver. A
spring climb in the Rockies."
    He felt the shiver that ripped
through her, and held her close. "Go on."
    "There was a sudden storm.
Apparently they pop up out of nowhere every now and again. I guess there was
some kind of fall, because two of them never returned. Dominic was one. Lost on
the mountain and never recovered."
    "God, I'm sorry."
    "I'm reminded of him almost
every day and I still miss him. It's not so bad now, but I would never wish
anyone the pain of having someone you love ripped away like that." The
cool wetness of a tear touched his skin.
    He turned on his side and cradled
her in his arms, wanting to comfort her with a hug and then hold her in his
arms all night. This was the deeply hidden face he'd sensed, the vulnerability,
the fragile woman terrified of loss and still grieving in various ways.
    She clung to him, letting him enfold
her and gently soothe her with his touches. There was nothing sexual in his
caress, no teasing or arousal. It was simply two people wrapped together for
the night.
    He held her tightly, letting her
know without words that he was there for her.
    And smiling when her breathing
leveled and he heard a tiny snore. She was sound asleep.

Chapter Eight
    Casey cursed the wicked twist of
fate that had sent her out of town just as she was getting to know Phil, and
sensing that this could indeed be the start of a meaningful relationship,
something she hadn't hoped could happen again.
    But work was work and this
conference had been on her schedule for months. There was no way should could
have avoided it, and there were a few moments when she wondered if it wasn't
the best thing for her. To get away for a little while and catch her breath.
    But at last the week was over, she'd
flown in late at night and spent the next morning reporting to several division
managers on the results of the conference. They'd been very pleased, gushed
compliments and her boss had winked when he referred to "payoff at review
time" for the weeks of prep work she'd put into it.
    And now she was, for once, breaking
a few rules. She'd texted Phil from the airport last night, told him she was
fried and asked if he could make lunch today. He'd agreed and now she was here
waiting for him, eager to see him and share the letter she had tucked into her
large handbag.
    She hoped he'd be as excited as she
was.
    "Pardon me, beautiful. Is this
seat taken?"
    She jumped as Phil touched her
shoulder. Then she smiled and stood. "It is now, handsome."
    His kiss was warm, hinting at so
much more. But since they were in public, that was about as far as it went.
    She sighed as he moved to pull her
chair out for her. "Nice. I missed you."
    "Missed you too, Casey. But
thanks for keeping in touch. I know you must have been really busy."
    She nodded as he sat across from
her. "I had no idea it was going to be so intense. No matter where I went
someone was there wanting to talk business."
    She felt his legs move toward her
and encase her ankles as he grinned. "I can't blame them. A beautiful
woman with the mind of a genius. Maybe we ought to talk business
ourselves." The curve of his lips was frankly sensual and she knew him
well enough to realize that the business he was talking about had nothing to do
with profits and losses.
    "We will." She rubbed his
calf with one of her own. "Trust me on this."
    They chatted for a few moments