Spontaneous - Brenda Jackson [58]
Kim tried to keep her heart from breaking but it shattered into little pieces anyway. He wasn’t wasting any time putting distance between them. “I can go back to the hotel with you to help you pack things up and—”
“No, you need to stay here with your mom. She needs you.”
And I need you, she wanted to scream, but fought the urge to do so. More than anything she wanted to make love with him one final time, to release him from her heart and soul.
“Where is Landon?” she asked when she felt him gently place her on the bed.
“He left to go over to police headquarters and file our reports.” He stretched out beside her on the bed, pulling her into his arms.
“Are you hungry, Kim? I prepared a pot of soup for you and your mom.”
She shook her head as she settled her body against his. “Thanks, but I’m not hungry. Is Mr. Bennie still here?”
“No, he left, but I have a feeling he’ll be back. It wouldn’t surprise me if he makes his feelings for your mother known to her. He admitted to me that he’s been in love with her for a long time. At least three years now, but he was afraid to make his move, afraid she would turn him down as a suitor and then he would lose her as a friend.”
Kim hoped Mr. Bennie did let her mother know of his feelings. Wynona would need time to heal from Edward’s betrayal, but Kim was sure Mr. Bennie would give her all the time she needed. “Kim?”
She looked up at Duan. “Yes?”
“Everything worked out, didn’t it?”
She nodded. “Yes, and I have you and your friends to thank for that. I don’t want to think about what could have happened if you hadn’t remembered Edward’s name. What if Mom had married him? He was a time bomb just waiting to go off. The man truly has a mental problem and I hope he gets the treatment he needs.”
“At least he’s out of your mother’s life, and with the love of you, her family and Mr. Bennie, I believe she’ll get over it.”
Kim nodded. She believed that, as well. She felt herself being pulled closer into Duan’s arms and then he leaned down and kissed her in a long, deep and devouring kiss. A part of her wished it could last forever, and that what was between them could last forever, as well, but she knew it wasn’t meant to be. He had his life and she had hers. She would pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.
He finally broke off the kiss and tucked her body against his, but not before his lips skimmed hers once more. When she yawned, he smiled. “You’re tired. Go on to sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow from Atlanta.”
Kim heard Duan say a few more words before the warmth of his body, the calmness of his voice and the tender kisses he was placing on her face compelled her to close her eyes and drift off to sleep. It was a good sleep. A restful sleep in the arms of the man she loved.
DUAN CONTINUED TO LIE there and hold Kim long after she had drifted off to sleep. More than anything he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Loving her and giving her every single thing she needed. But he knew that wasn’t possible. Her life was already mapped out the way she wanted it. The dream she’d given up before was within her reach. So it was just as well that they ended things now, on a good note.
The tightening around his heart couldn’t be helped. All he had to do was close his eyes and remember all the good times they’d shared. A part of him wanted to wake her up so they could make love one last time, but he knew that wouldn’t happen.
He eased from the bed and headed toward the door. But before he could get there he turned around. That same tightening had moved to his throat. He wondered if she would remember the words of love that he’d spoken as she’d drifted off to sleep. Probably not. It was for the best.
He forced himself to turn and walk out the room. And with every step he told himself that ending things this way was the right thing to do.
WHEN KIM AWAKENED hours later she glanced out the window to see it was dark outside and the house was quiet. The ceiling light