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"Oh my God, Mom!" A myriad of emotions washed over her Concern over her nepheas theirritated that her elderly parents had to deal with this instead of her sister or her worthless ex-husband She, at least, had to be there to help theh, Nellie heard it in her shaky words: she orried "What hospital are you guys at?"

"Nellie, you have to work in theYou don’t have to come down here"

"What hospital, Mom?" she asked a little more firmly this time

Sam had already walked away before she’d even ended the call As she walked back into the roo back to her with his keys in hand "You can tell me about it on the way"

He sounded so resolute that she didn’t bother telling him that he didn’t have to take her Obviously, he’d balk at the suggestion that she could take a cab to save hi around,her parents and Gus in the process and then drove her home when it was all over She’d already explained when he picked her up why her home wasn’t the same one he’d picked her up and dropped her off at last tiiven Roni that night She’d wanted Roni’s take on her outfit

It ay past the tiht she would’ve been home now, but at least Gus was fine Saht out," he said with a s to hiot to spendyour parents out of the way"

The way he said that as if it were a given--so that was bound to happen--made her feel a little weird "Thank you so , Sam"

His smile went serious suddenly, and those crystal blue eyes stared at her now as they stood silently staring at each other Before she could get her thoughts together or even think of a reason to protest, his lips were on hers, and he kissed her softly She alue into her mouth--but she couldn’t The knot was instantly at her throat and she pulled away

"I’m sorry," he whispered quickly "I said I’d be patient, but I couldn’t help ry with herself Letting loose? What a joke She couldn’t even bring herself to let anotherwhen she talked about wanting to free her spirit? "It’s okay," she insisted "It’s just that--"

"Shh," his finger touched her lips "You don’t have to explain I understand I get it--baby steps" He took her hand and kissed it "This is all I get for now, and I can live with that Whatever it takes"

He s eyes sparkle "Thanks for understanding"

Once inside with Saht now, she stood there in the ht both hands to her face and kept the time as she took in the day’s events For asSaer Saree Her mom had used the word hunk when she’d had a moment alone with her at the hospital and she’d seen the looks from the table full of women at the brunch last hen they’d walked past theency rooht

Not only was he hot but he eet and was asking her to trust him already Any other woain consuhts of that other hunk in her life--the unattainable one, for what she needed anyway

She should be grateful that she had such a sweet and gorgeous distraction now Instead, all she could think of was that in less than a week she’d be in a car with Abel for four hours Even though she said that they’d be keeping it strictly business, she already knew that the minute she saw him she’d melt, and if he even tried to kiss her, all bets would be off

Chapter 15

It had been just over a week since Abel had last seen Nellie and his insides were going ith anticipation The whole way to her place he’d driven over the li tohe was certain of was that he was deterure it out This past week alone had been proof enough that he wanted, no needed her in his life But he daure so way too slow The way he was feeling noas further confirmation of how crazy he was about her, because he couldn’t drive fast enough to be near her

The moment his car was in her driveway and turned off, he jumped out and rushed to her front door

"Come in!" she called out fros"

Hastening his step as he walked through her living room and into her bedroom where her voice had come from, his heart sped up as well As he came around the corner and into her roo and quick strides, he was at her side Fear of rejection or not he went for it

"God, Ihis hand behind her neck and kissing her deeply