Free LETHAL OBSESSION by Carey Regenold Page A

face.    
          "I
love you, Ellen." She opened her mouth but no words came out. "I
don't expect a response.  I just want you to know how I feel."
          Gene's
lips met hers with a fervor invoking a response that had her head spinning with
sexual arousal. It felt wrong.  It was too soon, but Ellen couldn't stop so
great was her need.  Her arms came around his neck as they lay in each other's
arms amid the broken chains on the porch.
    Her
conscience condemned but Ellen's body was too starved.  She wanted this man and
she wanted him now. 
          It
was Gene who broke the contact only long enough to sweep Ellen off the porch
floor and into his arms.  Once again Ellen tried to stop the inevitable but all
she could do was cling to Gene as he walked to the bedroom and laid her on the
printed spread. 
         
     
     
     
     
     
     
                          
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
         
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
          Her
breathing was coming in gasps as Ellen felt her clothes being peeled away.  Why
couldn't she stop this betrayal of Mark's memory?  It wasn't until she felt
Gene's rigid nakedness against her that something snapped.  Ellen didn't
realize she was crying until she felt cool air on her skin.  Gene had moved
away and was looking at her.  
          "You
aren't ready for this, are you?"                          
          "I
thought I was. I wanted to," she sobbed.                               
          "It's
okay, don't cry."  He wrapped the sheet around her nakedness and pulled
her into his arms.  "You're worth waiting for, Princess, believe me.  I
meant what I said.  I love you and I will wait for you."
          "I
really want to be loved again."
          "I
know you do, and you will be.  I'll be here for you and we will be happy
together."
          Her
tear stained face looked at him.  "That means a lot to me, Gene."
          He
left the bed pulling the sheet snug around Ellen.  "I'm going to let you
get dressed and I'll meet you outside."
          "Okay." 
Her voice sounded small and lost. Her body was still acutely aroused making her
arms weak and shaky.  Ellen thought about the last few minutes.  She had come
so close to making love with Gene.  They had spent a lot of time together over
the last four months.  Was it possible for love to develop in so short a
period?  Ellen knew she cared deeply for Gene or she never would've been
willing to share her body.  But even after four months her love for Mark
continued to occupy ever inch of her heart.  Hopefully that would fade with
time.  Grieving hurt.  Ellen needed to get on with her life and be done with
mourning.
          Coming
out the front door, she looked down at the broken swing where it all started.
          "Yep,
I'm going to have to fix that."
          "Maybe
not yet.  It will give us some terrific memories."
          "That
it will, Princess.  Come here."                            
          Ellen
walked to Gene as he took her in his arms.  Their lips met in a gentle, loving
kiss as she melted against his hard body.  The kiss deepened carrying them back
to that breathless place.
    Gene
pulled away and looked at her.  "Wow, we'd better stop this.  You are
driving me wild, Princess."
          "I'm
sorry.  I don't mean to be a tease.  I feel wild too.  I just wish... "
          "You
will, just give yourself time.  Meanwhile just remember how much I love
you."
          Ellen
smiled.  "That will keep me warm for now.  I'm so glad it was you that
day."
          "Me
too."
               
          Holding
her hand, Gene was so loving and attentive on the drive home that Ellen felt
herself happy and glowing long after he left.  She wondered what kind of a
sheriff's wife she