Free Accidental Lovers (The Accidental Series, Book 3) by Tina Martin Page A

guess this is it,” she told
him.
    “Yeah. Looks that way,” Donovan said,
sauntering over to where she was standing, next to the bed. He
softly touched her face. “I don’t want you to leave, Shayla.”
    “Donovan…”
    “I don’t. I’m being honest,” he said.
    “Well, I have to leave, so…”
    “You don’t have to,” he said, licking his
lips, leaning forward.
    Shayla frowned, placed her hands on his
forearms to push him away, but Donovan had other plans.
    He pulled her closer to him, held her head
between his hands and took a kiss from her.
    Shayla cringed and tried to push him away
again. “Donovan, stop.”
    Did he hear her? Probably not as evident by
him lifting her from the floor and placing her on the bed.
    “Donovan, please stop,” she said in tears
now, feeling his lips against her neck. “Please Donovan. I love my
husband. I love Carter.”
    He stopped kissing her, wiped the tears away
from her eyes and said, “Well, that’s a problem because I love
you.”
    She looked at him, clearly in shock. “I
can’t be with you.”
    “I love you, Shayla.”
    “Donovan?” she said, because she was at a
lost for words.
    “I feel a strong connection between us,
Shayla. I know you feel it, too.”
    “Donovan, don’t get me wrong…I like you as a
person, as a friend. But even though Carter and I are going through
some issues right now, I would never do anything to betray him. A
friendship is as far as I can go with you. I do appreciate what
you’ve done for me.”
    Donovan stood up, walked away from the bed
with his back towards her and placed both hands on his head out of
frustration. Then he turned around and said, “I haven’t felt this
way about a woman since my wife passed. I feel things for you and
you’re asking me to completely avoid what my heart is telling me is
true?”
    “Donovan, I haven’t done anything to lead
you on.”
    “Honestly, Shayla, I love your smiles, your
eyes, your face…” Donovan sighed, walked away from her again. “You
remember how you told me no one wanted you…well I want you,
Shayla.”
    “Donovan…”
    “But I can’t have you because you’re in love
with someone else.” He turned around and looked at her, sitting on
the bed. “I overstayed my welcome, so I’m going to go. I hope one
day, Carter Williams makes you happy, because when you speak of
him, all I see in your eyes is sadness. You’re happiest with me,
not him.”
    “Donovan…”
    He headed for the door and she stood up from
the bed to see him out. Before turning the knob, he asked, “Can I
at least have a hug?”
    She nodded.
    He wrapped his arms around her frame,
squeezing for an extended period of time, not wanting to let her
go. When he finally did, he stared at her again. “Goodbye,
Shayla.”
    “Goodbye, Donovan.”
    Shayla closed the door when he left, feeling
scared and nervous but mostly hurt at the thought she’d broke
Donovan’s heart, and hurt that she would eventually have to face
Carter with this on her heart. Would she tell him what happened
here?

Chapter 14
     
    Her flight arrived back to Charlotte a
little after one, and once off the plane Shayla took her bag and
threw it in the back seat of her car, quickly heading for home, her
mind flooded with the weekend’s events. She met her father and
found out that Donovan was in love with her. She couldn’t wait to
get home so she could finally relax, but when she noticed Carter’s
Escalade in the driveway, she knew there would be no relaxation
today. Out of all the days he could’ve shown up out of the blue,
why today?
    Parking her car next to his, she could see
him sitting on the front step, his head hanging low like he was in
a praying position. She felt her stomach tighten into so many
knots, she barely had enough strength to move her legs to get out
of the car. But she did eventually, walking slowly as she took deep
breaths, heading straight for the door, telling herself she wasn’t
ready for a confrontation