was seventeen, but still very much his little girl. He urged her to concentrate on her studies, finish high school and perhaps after that, when she went to university, she could look at dating.
For twelve more months, they kept their relationship a secret. Chase had been accepted into the Goulburn Police Academy and spent much of his time hours and hours away. Still, his love for Josie didn’t waver and he longed for the day he could tell her family and the world his true feelings. When she asked him to be her date to her high school graduation, he’d been over the moon.
She told him her family had been surprised at her choice, not having even heard of Chase Barrington. They wondered aloud how the two of them had met and were satisfied with vague references to high school. Besides, Chase was on his way to a career in policing, and law enforcement ran thick through Munro veins. By then, all of Josie’s older brothers were serving police officers. Her father had given his tacit nod of approval.
Memories of that magical night swamped him and emotion burned behind his eyes. He’d never seen Josie look more beautiful. When she’d whispered shyly that she wanted him to make love to her, he thought he might combust from the heat of his desire. Until then, their relationship had remained purely platonic. He’d wanted her to be sure and wanted her first time to be special.
And it had been. It was his first time, too. They’d made love and it had been as beautiful as he’d imagined. Afterwards, he’d kissed her and held her and promised one day he’d make her his. They’d even talked about their children and had gently argued over names. They’d agreed to meet with her parents the next day and confide in them their secret. Chase had been counting the hours.
And then tragedy struck and for him, it was all over. One moment he was head over heels in love and planning a forever future with the girl of his dreams and the next he was flat on his back in a hospital bed, his whole world turned on its head.
Even now, he couldn’t think about it, didn’t want to think about it. Life had knocked him down and he’d dealt with it the best way he could, the only way he could. At least, that’s how he’d felt at the time. Now, he wasn’t so sure.
Seeing Josie again had stirred up so many long-buried memories and with them, excruciating guilt. But not only guilt, there was also uncertainty. Had he made the right decision when he walked away from her all those years ago? He couldn’t help but wonder what might have happened if he’d told her the truth.
A soft, warm body pressed against him and he blinked to clear his head. A woman in her early twenties smiled at him and flicked back her glossy brown hair. She had a body meant to drive men crazy and her cherry red lips were full and open in invitation.
She put a manicured hand on his arm and leaned in, making sure he noticed her impressive breasts. It was hard not to. They were barely contained in some kind of black, lacy mesh and for an instant, his body stirred.
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, she would have caught his interest. After all, one night stands were his specialty—nothing permanent required. No commitment offered or sought. Just a few moments of reciprocated pleasure before both parties moved on in the morning.
But after seeing Josie again, knowing that she was in town, not even the pretty young starlet who looked like she’d stepped off a Hollywood movie set could tempt him. She pressed against him again and asked him to buy her a drink. Her voice was low and throaty, but he politely shook his head no. Tactfully angling his body away from hers, he finished his drink and set the glass back down on the bar.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I’m flattered, but I’m not the man for you. Trust me.” Ignoring the flash of disappointment in her eyes, he left the bar, cursing himself and Josie Munro every step of the way.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Josie stared
For twelve more months, they kept their relationship a secret. Chase had been accepted into the Goulburn Police Academy and spent much of his time hours and hours away. Still, his love for Josie didn’t waver and he longed for the day he could tell her family and the world his true feelings. When she asked him to be her date to her high school graduation, he’d been over the moon.
She told him her family had been surprised at her choice, not having even heard of Chase Barrington. They wondered aloud how the two of them had met and were satisfied with vague references to high school. Besides, Chase was on his way to a career in policing, and law enforcement ran thick through Munro veins. By then, all of Josie’s older brothers were serving police officers. Her father had given his tacit nod of approval.
Memories of that magical night swamped him and emotion burned behind his eyes. He’d never seen Josie look more beautiful. When she’d whispered shyly that she wanted him to make love to her, he thought he might combust from the heat of his desire. Until then, their relationship had remained purely platonic. He’d wanted her to be sure and wanted her first time to be special.
And it had been. It was his first time, too. They’d made love and it had been as beautiful as he’d imagined. Afterwards, he’d kissed her and held her and promised one day he’d make her his. They’d even talked about their children and had gently argued over names. They’d agreed to meet with her parents the next day and confide in them their secret. Chase had been counting the hours.
And then tragedy struck and for him, it was all over. One moment he was head over heels in love and planning a forever future with the girl of his dreams and the next he was flat on his back in a hospital bed, his whole world turned on its head.
Even now, he couldn’t think about it, didn’t want to think about it. Life had knocked him down and he’d dealt with it the best way he could, the only way he could. At least, that’s how he’d felt at the time. Now, he wasn’t so sure.
Seeing Josie again had stirred up so many long-buried memories and with them, excruciating guilt. But not only guilt, there was also uncertainty. Had he made the right decision when he walked away from her all those years ago? He couldn’t help but wonder what might have happened if he’d told her the truth.
A soft, warm body pressed against him and he blinked to clear his head. A woman in her early twenties smiled at him and flicked back her glossy brown hair. She had a body meant to drive men crazy and her cherry red lips were full and open in invitation.
She put a manicured hand on his arm and leaned in, making sure he noticed her impressive breasts. It was hard not to. They were barely contained in some kind of black, lacy mesh and for an instant, his body stirred.
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, she would have caught his interest. After all, one night stands were his specialty—nothing permanent required. No commitment offered or sought. Just a few moments of reciprocated pleasure before both parties moved on in the morning.
But after seeing Josie again, knowing that she was in town, not even the pretty young starlet who looked like she’d stepped off a Hollywood movie set could tempt him. She pressed against him again and asked him to buy her a drink. Her voice was low and throaty, but he politely shook his head no. Tactfully angling his body away from hers, he finished his drink and set the glass back down on the bar.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I’m flattered, but I’m not the man for you. Trust me.” Ignoring the flash of disappointment in her eyes, he left the bar, cursing himself and Josie Munro every step of the way.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Josie stared
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