Forever Hers by Walters, Ednah (top 50 books to read txt) 📕

a trip you’d planned with a girlfriend, and you almost ran into a burning building to rescue Ron after he went in to find Ashley.”

“Whoever told you these twisted versions—”

“Oh shut up. Do you want me to hate you?”

He blinked. Did he? Was he worthy of her love? “Maybe you should.”

“Why? So you could go back to your old life? Not caring about anything but your job, not letting anyone get close? So I made you lose control tonight, big whoop. You do it to me all the time, but you don’t see me trying to trivialize your feelings or lack thereof.” She hit his chest with her fist. “You will not use my love for you to pick a fight with me, Eddie Fitzgerald. You are—”

He cut off her tirade with his lips, rubbing them back and forth. For a brief moment, she succumbed and returned his kiss, then she tore her lips away.

“You are not going to distract me until I have my say, damn it.”

He buried his face in the pillow and groaned. Sometimes she talked too much.

“You always act like you don’t deserve to be liked, loved or respected when no one is more deserving than you. Your cousins came out tonight to welcome me and Raelynn and threw her one heck of a party. Know why?”

“They love you?” he teased, trying to lighten her mood.

She shoved his leg off her thigh. “No, because they love you, you bonehead. Vince, Ron and Ken owe you a debt that can never be repaid, yet when they came to the lake house, you were uncomfortable accepting their help. Instead you saw them as a pain in the ass.”

They were a pain in the ass. Eddie sat up and walked into the bathroom to get rid of the condom then walked back to the bedroom. She was waiting, the battle light still in her eyes. She’d never looked more beautiful or desirable.

“What do you want from me?” he asked, his eyes narrowed.

“I want you to open up to love, to be willing to give and receive it.” She grabbed her dress from the floor then reached for her stockings, giving him a view of her naked buttocks. His body reacted. Even when every word from her mouth pissed him off, he couldn’t control his response to her.

“Are you sure this is about me?”

She went still. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You saw my cousins with their spouses tonight and you suddenly want what they have, so you’re punishing me for not offering you the same thing.”

She glared at him. “So what if I did? What’s wrong with wanting to be loved?”

“Nothing, just don’t make me the focus of your obsession.”

“Obsession? You wish.” She turned around as though searching for something then gave up and marched to the door.

She was really leaving. His body clenched. He needed her. She meant everything to him. He moved and blocked her path. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Where do you think? Move out of my way, Eddie.”

He crossed his arms and continued to block the door, his heart pounding so hard he was sure she could hear it. He couldn’t afford to lose her. “No.”

“I know a gazillion ways to cause you excruciating pain.”

He’d taught them to her and the look on her face said she would use them too.

“You wouldn’t hurt me. You love me,” he said.

“Not at this very moment, pal.”

As he stared at her furious expression, the warmth he always felt in his chest whenever he was around her or even thought about her finally made sense. He loved this woman. Loved her craziness, loved her smart mouth and her loving, caring nature. He’d fought admitting his feelings to himself for days when it was obvious every time he looked at her, when he watched her with her daughter, when he made love to her. Hell, she could pull her dominatrix she-warrior move on him for the rest of his live. He didn’t care. He loved Amy Kincaid.

Eddie grinned.

“Oh, did I say something funny?” Amy snapped.

“I am crazy about you, Amy Kincaid.” Saying the words was so liberating. He reached for her. “I’m completely nuts about you.”

She stepped out of reach and stared at him as though he’d lost his mind. “That was pathetic. You’d say—”

“I love you,” he finished

“And do anything to get me to stay in your bed, wouldn’t you?” she continued as though he hadn’t spoken. “There are many things you do that drive me crazy, Eddie, but using love to get your way is the lowest. Get. Out. Of. My. Way.”

He blinked, realizing she didn’t believe him. Of course, she couldn’t. He’d practically challenged her to explain why she loved him and shot down her reasons. To turn around and say he loved her sounded insincere and calculated.

“I know you don’t believe me, baby, but I do. I love you.”

Her faced worked as though she was about to cry then her chin shot up and she looked at him with coldest eyes he’d ever seen on her pretty face.

“If you don’t mind,” she spoke slowly as though measuring her words, “I want you to move out of my way now. I’m tired and I want to go to bed.”

His timing sucked, and she wasn’t going to believe anything he said. Nodding, he stepped aside and opened the door for her. With her chin up, she marched out of his bedroom.

Eddie watched her go, a deep loneliness settling around him like a cold mist, prickling his skin. He wanted to go after her, but she wouldn’t believe anything he said now. The time had to be right.

A few minutes later, Eddie stared at the ceiling, missing her so much it hurt. Somewhere a phone rang then went silent. She was right. He hated losing control. From the first time they made love, he’d run the show, always making sure he pleased her first, several times, before he found his own release. She turned tables on him and