Goto Lost in a Good Book and get involved in the January Book Discussion of Bartlett's Rule and you might just win an autographed copy of Bartlett's Rule (read the first post to learn how).
January book discussions will run through January 31st. Discussion comments will be made in the comment section of each book. (found at the bottom of each posted selection) - moderated by Annette Snyder-Novelist.
Bartlett's Rule (paperback)
Brandon stepped back. He caught his breath. “Now, Tom, I need you to leave. Go see your niece and then leave. Please.”
Tom looked crushed. “Brandon... I’m sorry.”
Brandon shook his head. “This has nothing to do with what happened. Caitlyn came here to be by your side. It’s where she wanted to be. It’s where she needed to be. Trust me, even if I had been home, I never would have tried to stop her from coming to you. I couldn’t have anyway. We don’t blame you for anything.”
“Then why can’t I stay?” He was choked up.
Brandon clenched his jaw and finally broke down. “Her chances are much better but... they still can’t be sure.” He held on to Tom. He spoke between his tears. “If you stay, it will be like we’re waiting for something to go wrong. It’ll be like we’re waiting to say goodbye.” He had to compose himself. “If you go, then I can believe everything will be okay.” He had to take a moment before he could continue. “And if something were to go wrong... We can’t make it easy for her to let go.”
Tom looked lost. He couldn’t argue with Brandon. He understood. Alli took a business card from her purse and handed it to Brandon. She put her hand on Tom’s arm. “We’ll be just a few minutes away. Here’s my phone number.”
Brandon pocketed the card and nodded. “Thank you.”
“Can I come back in the morning? Please?” Tom felt like a child asking for permission.
Brandon nodded. “Yes. She’ll be asking for you.” They hugged again. “Please come back tomorrow.”
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He unpacked his suitcase and put things away. He put the water kettle up in the kitchen and reached into the cabinet for a pair of oversized mugs. Not at all surprised to find cocoa mix just where he thought it would be, he enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa with Amanda. Leaving the kitchen he walked her to the office door and helped her to turn the futon into a bed. He kissed her gently and wished her good night. Entering the master bedroom, he sighed contentedly and got ready for bed. Jet lag and the stress of the past two days had taken their toll and he felt tired. Maybe he would wake up to more memories after resting.
He felt comfortable as he stripped down to his boxers and crawled in between the sheets of his king sized bed. He fluffed the oversize pillows and lay down enjoying the comfortable familiarity. It didn’t take long for Brandon to close his eyes and begin to relax. Some of the tension he had been feeling began to melt. Just as he was feeling himself drift off to sleep, he reached out and was bothered by the unfamiliar feeling of finding himself alone in the bed.
Without hesitation, he realized that he had shared his bed with Caitlyn several times before and he missed having her by his side. In the dark, he stared at the empty half of the bed and then forced himself to stretch out across the middle to make the bed seem a little less bare. He fell asleep with Caitlyn’s name on his lips and her image in his mind. Tomorrow he would have to talk to Amanda about their engagement; it was something he obviously couldn’t honor.
The room was dark when he woke and it took a few moments for him to get his bearings. Slowly he recognized the shadows of his bedroom and was pleased that they felt ...
Forgotten
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“Do you want me down on my knee?”
She stared at him. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
He laced his fingers with hers. “I’m kind of blindsided by this too. I started thinking about it yesterday. This morning though it just seems so right.” Lon brought his hand to her jaw and tilted her face to him. “May I kiss you this morning?”
When Paige didn’t answer, Lon took it as agreement.
He slanted his mouth over hers and drank from her sweet lips. He gathered her close to him. Paige could see, and feel, he wanted so much more than a kiss but he held back. She mentally chastised herself. She should have been able to let him know that it would be all right, she should have been able to initiate their lovemaking. But the truth was, she couldn’t. Lon had proven himself to be a patient and considerate lover... hell, he had proven himself to be a terrific lover. But she was still so unsure of herself in the sex department and Paige berated herself for that.
She gently broke their contact with a hand on his chest, his magnificent, muscled and strong chest. “I can’t think. I need time. This is so rushed.”
She could see the disappointment in his eyes. He nodded to show that he accepted her decision. Lon stopped as he was getting out of bed, his feet on the floor, his back to her. “Do you want room service or are you up to the dining room?”
“The dining room is fine.” She looked at him sitting there. “I’m sorry Lon, I just... I need more time.” She watched as he nodded. “I do care for you so much. I wasn’t saying no. I’m just not ready.”
There is still time -
go to Lost in a Good Book and get involved in the January Book Discussion of Bartlett's Rule and you might just win an autographed copy of Bartlett's Rule. January book discussions will run through January 31st. Discussion comments will be made in the comment section of each book. (found at the bottom of each posted selection) - moderated by Annette Snyder-Novelist.
