Free Cover Me by Joanna Wayne Rita Herron and Mallory Kane Page A

had the arrival of the sandwiches not interrupted the conversation. They both became quiet after that. He finished his sandwich quickly and then they walked to their vehicles. He lingered as he opened her door for her. And then he looked into those mesmerizing green eyes and he started to melt.
    His lips were touching hers before he could stop himself. She wrapped her arms aroundhis neck and kissed him back. The need he’d been fighting took over and he got lost in the heat and passion.
    His hands splayed her back and he pulled her closer and closer until she was pressed against his erection, his lips still ravishing hers. When she came up for air, his whole body was throbbing.
    “Oh, Carlotta.”
    Nicole jerked away as if he’d slapped her.
    His brain kickedback in.
    “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Nicole.”
    “It’s okay. I understand. Truly, I do.”
    But he’d hurt her and that was the last thing he’d wanted to do. Right now all he knew was that he had to leave before he did or said something else they might both regret.
    He was falling hard. But was it for Nicole—or was he turning her into Carlotta in his mind?

Chapter Ten
    Nicole parked the car and reached across the seat for the journal she’d brought with her to work that morning. Actually, it was more a book than a journal. She’d even named it.
    Normally she didn’t carry it around with her, but Remy had inspired so many new emotions and feelings that she’d felt compelled to put them to paper this morning. But when she’d tried towrite, the words wouldn’t come. Now they were echoing through her mind.
    She’d never shared her journal with anyone, had never thought she would. But when Remy had asked about her life tonight, she’d found herself wanting to share the pain and the miracles with him.
    What better way for him to really understand her than through the journal?
    Before she changed her mind, she pulleda pen and note card from her purse. She jotted a quick message for Remy on the note card and then meticulously poured her heart into the journal.
    When she finished, she hurried inside the apartment and set the bound journal and the note on the coffee table for him to find later.
    Strangely it was Carlotta she thought of as she let herself out and took the elevator to the ground floorto hail a taxi. Carlotta had died, leaving a lover to search for her in vain. Nicole had lived, but no lover had ever come searching for her.
    * * *
    R EMY WAS ALWAYS A BIT of an insomniac, but tonight was worse than usual. He’d slept an hour and then woken. Since then, he’d lain awake, alternately watching the shadows dance across the ceiling and the raindrops splatter against the windowpane.
    He’d met with an FBI agent after he’d left Nicole and handed over the DVD. It was now in their hands. Still, he couldn’t shake off the desire the parking-lot kiss had ignited. A mistake in every way, yet he couldn’t get it or Nicole off his mind.
    Finally he gave up, stretched his legs over the side of the bed and wiggled into his jeans. He zipped them enough to keep them from droppingto his ankles and went to the kitchen. The fridge was empty except for some condiments and a few bottles of beer.
    He popped the top on a Shiner Bock and walked back to the small living area. Dropping to the sofa, he flicked on the lamp next to him and picked up a leather-bound journal. There was a note clipped to the cover.

    You asked about my life, Remy. This is the condensedversion. If you have time to read it, it may help you understand a bit more about who I am and what these past two days have meant to me. Nicole

    Obviously she’d left it for him to read when she’d dropped off the car. He opened the binder. “Resurrection from Hell, a Journey of Survival” was written on the first page in perfect script. He turned to the next page and read the opening.

    The person I had been died following Katrina. The person I’m becoming was born four days later when I was