Forever Hers Walters, Ednah (best novels for teenagers .TXT) 📖

Why? Because for once in his life, he wasn’t in control. He wasn’t talking about their lovemaking. That was out of this world. Humbling. No, he was talking about his love for her. In such a short time, she’d become lodged in his mind, his heart and his dreams. He couldn't think about a future without her in it, fighting with him, driving him crazy and making him laugh.

You always act like you don’t deserve to be liked, loved or respected when no one is more deserving than you.

She was right about that too. He had let the past mess with his mother poison his mind to the point where he’d built a wall to protect himself. Amy and her little girl had chipped away at his wall, his prison, until it tumbled down. Even though he was uncertain about some things—whether he’d ever forgive his mother, leave the L.A.P.D. or start his business—the one thing that he was sure about was his love for Amy. He had found the woman he planned to spend the rest of his life with and the future couldn’t be brighter.

Sleep eluded him, so he pulled on a swimsuit and left his room. The light inside the room she was sharing with Raelynn was off. Was she thinking about him in there? Regretting their fight?

An hour later, physically exhausted from attacking the water, he was back in his room, pacing. Then he remembered her manuscript, which she’d printed days ago, but he’d put off reading because of Raelynn’s illness.

He went to his computer bag and retrieved it then settled on the bed and started reading.

CHAPTER 20

Amy woke up to aromatic blend of coffee, eggs and bacon. She reached across the bed and her hand came up empty. Then she remembered their fight last night. Eddie was the most impossible man she’d ever dealt with. She loved him with every breath she took, but he had acted like a jerk.

How could he pretend he loved her just to manipulate her? As her anger had ebbed, she’d hoped that maybe, just maybe he’d meant it. That he truly loved her. If he did, he’d come for her, she’d told herself. So after crawling in bed with Raelynn, she’d waited for him. She’d even heard his footsteps move toward her room then nothing.

It had all been a game.

Sleep hadn’t come easy. Her daughter was a kicker and a bed hog, and worries about the future and where her relationship with Eddie was headed had kept her awake. Funny she hadn’t worried about their relationship until he pulled that calculated stunt. It showed her a side of him she didn’t like.

About midnight, she’d gotten up, turned on her computer and did something she might come to regret. She’d gone to her mother’s university page and sent her a long e-mail, pouring out all her hurt, pain and anger at the way they’d treated her. She’d even told her mother that she doubted she’d ever forgive them.

Stupid move on her part. Of course, she would forgive them. Eventually. They were her only living relatives and Raelynn’s grandparents. By now she ought to have learned to never write or say anything when angry.

Oh well, what’s done is done.

Amy slid out of bed and put on a pair of capris and a T-shirt then headed downstairs. As she got closer, Raelynn’s high-pitched voice and Eddie’s deeper one reached her ear. The family-like picture that greeted her in the kitchen would have made her smile a few days ago. The table was set for three, and Raelynn played on the floor with her new dollhouse while Eddie cooked.

He wore a white T-shirt that hugged his masculine chest and washboard abs, and sweatpants that rode low on his hips. His hair was mussed as though he’d run his fingers through it. Add in his unshaven chin and you had every woman’s dream man.

Just not mine.

As though aware of her scrutiny, he looked over his shoulder and their gazes locked. Amy’s breath froze in her chest as she waited to see what he would say, her heart thumping hard. His grin was heart melting.

“Look who’s finally awake,” Eddie said cheerfully.

“Mommy! Look at my new dollhouse.” Raelynn jumped up and ran to grab Amy’s hand then pulled her to the floor and started pointing at the dolls. “That’s you and me, and Uncle Eddie, and Granma and Grampa.”

The dollhouse came with a family of five and one set of grandparents. “And who are these two?” Amy pointed at the boy halfway in a dog house and the baby in a crib.

“That’s Sam and Kimberly.”

Kimberly was Sam’s baby sister. “Why is he in a doghouse?”

“They’re visiting and Sam is being mean to Raelynn,” Eddie added.

“I told him to stop, but he didn’t listen. Uncle Eddie said he should be in the doghouse. That’s where mean people go.”

Amy chuckled. She got up and slowly approached Eddie as one would a feral animal. That she was tense and unsure of herself annoyed her. “Something smells good.”

“Thank you.” He turned off the stove and pulled her into his arms before she realized his intention. She stiffened. If he noticed, he didn’t show it. But he didn’t try to kiss her.

She tried to put some space between them, but his arms tightened.

“Am I still in the doghouse?” he whispered.

“Chained to the wall indefinitely.”

He chuckled. “Even after this?”

“After what?”

He indicated the pans on the stove with a nod. “My humble offering. I used egg whites, cooked both turkey and regular bacon. And the toast is—”

“Burning.” Amy wiggled out of his arms and popped up the toaster lever. She looked at him and tried hard not to laugh. He looked devastated. At least the bacon looked crispy. The eggs, on the other hand, were a white glob of goo.

“Your offering looks great, so thank you.” He grinned as though her praise pleased him. Then something else registered. The clock on the