Page 26 of The Bride's Pink Shoes

He’d dreamed about Clara there by his side, when he wasn’t engulfed by nightmares of the accident. “It wasn’t your responsibility to sit by my bedside. You had your own life to lead.”

She reached over and placed her hand on his cheek, guiding his face toward hers. Old memories and newfound emotions collided within him, setting his world off-kilter. How was it possible after all of this time, she could still touch him so profoundly?

Her voice grew soft, so soft he strained to hear her words. “Things didn’t work out the way you and I planned, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still care…”

Her gaze met and held his. The breath caught in his lungs. He’d never wanted to feel her lips pressed to his more than he did in that moment. But he couldn’t—he shouldn’t.

As though she could read his mind, she lifted on her tiptoes. She leaned forward, and in a heartbeat, her mouth pressed to his. His hands automatically reached out, slipping around her waist, pulling her close. He was like a drowning man, and she was air, breathing life back into him.

During all of those long, miserable nights he’d spent alone in his hospital bed, he’d envisioned this moment. Although, he’d never thought those fantasies had a chance of becoming reality. And yet it was happening.

With Clara in his arms, he imagined he was still the man she fell in love with years ago. As her lips moved beneath his, he wanted to be that man for her. He wanted to wipe away the last few years.

But as he moved toward her, closing the gap, his leg protested. His limb sent shooting pain clear down to his toes. His body wouldn’t let him forget that he was different now. He was no longer the athlete who could go jogging with her in the mornings. Even his rehabilitation had its limits. He would never be able to keep up with her now, and he refused to hold Clara back.

The pain had him jerking back and gasping for air. This couldn’t happen. He couldn’t set them both up for another fall. He’d already hurt her enough for one lifetime. He’d only come here to… What? Say he was sorry? Try to make up for the pain he’d caused her? He wasn’t quite sure anymore. The lines were all blurring, leaving him utterly confused.

Clara’s eyes fluttered open. Confusion was written all over her face. He couldn’t blame her. He was just as surprised by the kiss. One moment, he’d had control of the situation, and then the next they were kissing like there was no tomorrow.

“Sorry.” His gaze dipped low. “I shouldn’t have let that happen.”

“You didn’t.” Her unwavering gaze met his. “I initiated it. And I’m not sorry.”

What? His gaze lifted, meeting her determined stare. “You don’t mean that—”

“I do. You’re an amazing man. You have so much to offer the right woman.”

But she wasn’t that woman. She didn’t have to spell it out for him. He understood perfectly clear. “I may not be the same man you once knew, but I won’t let that stop me. I intend to keep up with my therapy and push my boundaries.”

A faint smile pulled at her lips. “You’re definitely the same man I once knew. You’d never let anything stand between you and your goals.”

“Thanks. I think.”

Her smile broadened. “You’re welcome.”

His gaze momentarily strayed to her lips. They were rosy and looked as though they’d been properly kissed. Her cheeks were pink, and her eyes sparkled.

It was so tempting to pick up where they’d left off. But he knew it’d be a mistake. Instead he said, “It’s getting late. We should be going.”

Clara hesitated. Then with a resigned sigh, she nodded in agreement.

As they turned to leave, he branded the memory of this very special evening upon his mind. Clara had no idea how much that kiss meant to him. She’d made him feel like a whole man once more.

CHAPTER NINE

ThefollowingdayClarapaced back and forth in the foyer of the wedding chapel. She was waiting for Tula to show up for her dress fitting. She was actually relieved to have a little alone time to put her thoughts in order. Her evening with Andrew had certainly gotten off track.

She tried to tell herself that the kiss—the most amazing kiss—didn’t mean anything. Why should it? She was over him. She’d left that part of her life behind when she’d turned her back on her father’s ultimatum of his way or the highway.

She’d decided that her fresh start needed to be out of her father’s influential reach. The West Coast had seemed just far enough. Plus, she knew there’d be no chance of bumping into Andrew. His business kept him anchored to the East Coast. Or at least it had until now.

What had drawn him to California? Was it to connect with the brother he’d never known? Had his accident made him look at life differently? She couldn’t even imagine all the trauma he’d been through.

That had to be it, because there was no way he’d followed her. He’d made his choice years ago, when he’d chosen his work over her. There wasn’t going to be any do-over.

But then there had been that kiss.

As much as she tried to convince herself that it had been nothing more than a moment of compassion, the truth was she’d felt every bit of it—intensely. So much so that it scared her.

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