I grab another flute of champagne from a passing waiter and partake in my favorite pastime. I don’t know one single person here, outside of my dad, Sharon and Michael. These are all of my dad’s friends and associates and I’m sure several people from their country club. I’m pretty sure I recognized the mayor and his wife, but I can’t be positive. I’ve only seen them in pictures and never actually met them in real life. There are at least two hundred people in attendance, making it easy for me to be the wallflower that I like to be.

My phone beeps in my clutch as the champagne bubbles tickle my nose. I roll my eyes, guessing that it’s Kara wanting the gossip on what’s going on or how my date is going so far. But nothing prepared me for seeing Andrew’s name on my screen, making my eyes go wide as saucers.

My darling, beautiful Tessa. I love the way you look with your hair swept back behind your shoulders in soft, delicate curls. I can see you in a blue strapless gown with intricate silver designs, and diamond earrings gracing your delicate lobes. Nothing compares to your smile which outshines the soft glow of the candles that surround you.  ~A~

I freeze and nervously start looking around me. Either he has a very active imagination or…or. I don’t even get the chance to finish that thought as I feel him come up behind me, running his hands down my arms, leaning so close to me it sends a chill across my skin. My body erupts in goose bumps and desire takes the place of surprise.

Oh. My. God. He’s here. He’s really here.

“I also imagine your soft pink lips, slightly parted as a small gasp escapes them. The same sound you make when you’re sleeping next to me or making love with me,” he whispers in that soft, sexy British accent of his. My breathing accelerates and I shift in my chair. My head turns slightly, needing to see those bright blue eyes that I’ve longed for. The air has been completely drained from my lungs as I stare into Andrew’s gorgeous face. A face that has haunted my waking dreams, causing my heart so much pain and yet so much longing. Those full lips that I want to kiss caress my cheek as his fingertip ignites a trail of fire down my neck.

“It’s so good to see you, Tessa. I’ve been counting the days until we would be reunited again. I’ve done nothing but dream of you every second of every day since we departed last.” Andrew’s warm breath tickles the area behind my ear, allowing his lips to explore the area. I feel dizzy with pleasure, my eyes closing as my breath comes in short bursts. I feel as if we’re making a scene, or at least we could be. However, when I look around, I realize that no one is looking at us. Not one person is aware of the reunion taking place, of the man who melts my soul and completes my very existence.

I turn in my chair, needing to fully see him as he takes the seat that Michael occupied not less than an hour ago.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper hoarsely. Andrew knows exactly how he affects me, how to turn me into a raging pile of hormones without actually having to touch me or do anything. His blue eyes shine in the soft glow of the candlelight, making my heart leap inside my chest.

“I came here for you. It couldn’t wait one more week. I needed to see you right away.”

He came for me. He wanted to see me, no, needed to see me. How do I respond to that? Do I say how big of a fool I was for leaving like I did? Or that I needed to see him too? My hungry eyes take him in, admiring his freshly shaven face, his beautiful masculine features, and that sexy dark hair I love running my fingers through. And he’s wearing a tux. Holy shit. If I thought he was hot in tailored suits, he’s to die for in a tux.

I swallow past the lump in my throat, needing to regain some control of my body.

“Why?”

Need and desire mix together as I nervously canvas the room again, hoping that Sharon isn’t watching. My hand rubs the area above my heart, trying to ward off the pain. Andrew ignores my question and grabs the hand at my chest, bringing it up to his lips before pressing it against his own beating heart.

“You don’t have to hurt there anymore, love. I promise you will never have to hurt there again as long as I’m here.” He leans forward, pressing our foreheads together, leaving my hand to cover his heart. “I’ve missed you so much, Tessa. I’m so sorry, more than you will ever know.”

We close the distance to each other, pressing our mouths together in a whisper soft kiss. My lip trembles slightly as a flood of memories assaults my mind; each memory bringing back all the joy and pleasure those lips have brought me. My body takes over and I wrap my free hand around his neck. Pulling him closer to me, we seal our mouths together, succumbing to the kiss I’ve longed for since I last felt it. A kiss that is so perfect and natural. It’s a kiss I could see myself giving and receiving for the rest of my life.

Jodie Larson is a wife and mother to four beautiful girls, making their home in northern Minnesota along the shore of Lake Superior. When she isn’t running around to various activities or working her regular job, you can find her sitting in her favorite spot reading her new favorite book or camped out somewhere quiet trying to write her next manuscript. She’s addicted to reading (just ask her kids or husband) and loves talking books even more with her friends. She’s also a lover of all things romance and happily ever afters, whether in movies or in books, as shown in her extensive collection of both.

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