unsure of what to say. He seems to be deciding something as well.
âMy father wonât let us be together, Clara.â
My heart stops. I nod, trying to give him a wobbly smile, but failing as tears fill my eyes. Of course I knew it wasnât possible, but a part of me, the part that allowed daydreams before sleep, had been holding on to hope. All the stolen hours together, the conversations we had had. Glen told me things heâd never told anyone else, and more often than not I had found myself thinking of a future with him, instead of with the client to whom I was promised. I drop my gaze to the pine needleâcarpeted ground.
âClara,â Glen says, lifting my chin with his index finger, forcing my eyes back to his. âI donât give a damn what my father says.â He drops his hand. âThat is . . . I mean . . . if you . . .â
I understand his sudden vulnerability. Despite his bravado, Glenis worried that I might not feel the same way. My heart feels as if it will burst. I wondered if I loved him before, but now I am sure. I reach for his hand. âI do,â I say, my voice barely a whisper.
Glenâs face breaks into a grin, and before I can react, his mouth is on mine. I have never been kissed before, and I am not sure what to do. He pulls away suddenly, laughter dancing in his eyes. âOops.â He doesnât look sorry. âThat was your first kiss, huh?â
I nod.
âLetâs erase that one,â he suggests, moving toward me again, cupping my face in gentle hands. âThis should be the kiss you remember.â His lips are gentler this time, lightly brushing mine at first, then becoming more firm. I mimic his movements, growing more confident under his patient tutoring. I thrill at the tingles running up and down my body. I am kissing Glen! My daydreams never came close to the actual moment. I want to climb inside him and live, and never be apart from him.
I lose track of time, but too soon Glenâs kisses gentle, and he moves away, keeping my face in his hands. My hands rest on his hips, though I am not sure how they got there. It feels natural, and he doesnât seem to mind.
âClara,â he breathes. âIâve thought about this a lot. Iâve been making some plans. I went to my father today as one last attempt to reason with him.â His jaw clenches, and he raises a hand to a spot on his cheek that is already starting to bruise. âWe have to run away. You will go with your client in a few months, and weâll never see each other again. I canât let that happen.â
âOkay,â I say. I would agree to anything he suggested at this point. My pulse races, and I wait for my breathing to return to normal.
âIt has to be tonight. Papa will be signing your final papers any day. Leaving now will give him a chance to find a replacement and smooth things over. I donât agree with him, but I donât want to ruin him, either.â
So soon. But what Glen says makes sense. I want a good future for my sisters. âOkay.â
âAfter the girls are asleep tonight, go to the cellar. Thereâs a set of doors at the far end they never patrol. Wait inside, and I will come for you.â
âOkay.â
âYou canât bring anything with you, Clara,â Glen warns. âIâll stash a jacket and boots for you, but you canât be caught doing anything that will tip them off. And you canât say good-bye. We wonât be back.â
My heart squeezes as I think of my sisters. I would be leaving them in a few months anyway. And this way, Iâll be with Glen. âOkay.â
His smile warms me to my freezing toes, and he gives me one more quick kiss. âGo,â he says. âBefore they realize youâre missing.â
I tighten my fingers on his waist briefly, then remove his jacket from my shoulders, gasping at the sudden chill. I take
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