Free Memories of Love by Jean C. Joachim Page A

back,
won’t you?”
    She nodded.
    “I’m going with her. You need to do
this alone,” Jane said to her brother.
    Grant found his way around the side
of the building, looking for the stage door. He located it and waited patiently
with a few others outside. It wasn’t long before Jake Matthews came out. He
looked around for a moment.
    “Is there a Grant Hollings here?” he
yelled. Grant raised his hand.
    “Ms. Brewster wants to see you. Go
straight. Hers is the first room on the left.” Jake held the door for him. The
theater was silent when he went inside. A few stagehands smiled and nodded.
When he reached his destination, he stopped and cleared his throat before
knocking. I’m as nervous as that night
when I first spoke to her. You’re thirty-eight, not a kid. Get over it.

 
 
 
 
    Chapter Six

 
 
    Cara paced, nervous as a cat, in her
dressing room. Grant was in the audience!
Surely he’ll come around to see me. Even if only to congratulate me. I know he
saw me looking at him. He’d never be that cruel, show up and not come back
after.
    A knock interrupted her thoughts. Oh my God. She took a deep breath and
let it out slowly. Then she clasped her hands together to keep them from
shaking.
    “Come in.” She tried to keep her
voice even, but it squeaked just a bit at the end. Grant walked in. She sucked
in air. He’s as gorgeous as ever.
    His dark brown eyes, full of
emotion, stared at her. His mahogany hair flopped over his forehead the way it
always had. Broad-shouldered, he was still narrow at the hips and thighs,
emphasized perfectly by his well-tailored, charcoal suit. A white shirt highlighted
his dark good looks. Her gaze settled for a moment on his wedding ring. Still married. Damn.
    She reached out a tentative hand,
“Come in.” He closed his fingers over hers as he crossed the threshold, closing
the door gently behind him. “How’s Sarah? Why did you move?”
    “She’s fine. Long story. Carol Anne,
you look beautiful.” He still held onto her.
    She laughed. “In your old flannel
shirt and leggings?” She eased from his grasp.
    “In anything, as always.” His smile
grew.
    “Did you like the play?” She twisted
a handkerchief in her hands.
    “I loved the play. You and Quinn have
great chemistry. If I didn’t know he was a newlywed, I’d say you two were
having an affair.”
    She blushed under his praise. The only one I want to have an affair with
is you.
    Grant stepped closer, pulling her
into his arms.
    “I can’t help it,” he muttered as he
quickly lowered his head to capture her mouth with his. He swiped his tongue
across her lips, and she opened for him. She was stiff at first, awkward, taken
by surprise. As he probed her mouth, she relaxed against him. Her palms,
resting on his chest, slowly slid higher and higher until they reached his
neck. A shiver shot up her spine.
    Her insides turned to liquid. He’s married, step back. But she
couldn’t. Five years of longing, pent up desire, broke through as the needs of
her body took over. She wanted him.
    Apparently, he couldn’t stop either.
As he crushed her body to his, his need became obvious. Barely able to breathe,
she clutched his shoulders, wanting more. His hands fanned out across her back,
his fingers curled over her rump.
    There was a loud rap on the door. The
would-be lovers broke apart. Cara covered her mouth with her fist. His eyes
were swirling, dark chocolate pools of passion, staring at her. They stood
still for a moment, face-to-face, until a husky voice broke the spell.
    “Closing up, Ms. Brewster,” Gus
called out.
    Cara took a deep breath before
replying. “Thanks, Gus. Leaving in five.”
    Cara’s hand shook as she picked up
her jacket. Grant took it from her and held it out.
    “I’m sorry, Carol Anne. I shouldn’t
have done that.” He blushed.
    “You’re a married man, G.” His eyes
widened when her old nickname for him slipped out.
    “Not for much longer.” She cocked an
eyebrow at