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. Funny you should say that.You re all I ve thought about, too, she said, and then they were kissingagain and straining to get closer and she started to remove his belt.* * *Olivia knew what she was doing was crazy.She d never behaved like this before but she d neverfelt like this before, either, never wanted a man like she wanted Brandon.Instead of stopping himwhen he slipped a hand inside her dress, she encouraged him, shifting so he could reach what hewanted to touch.Only the fear that what they were doing might cause him to injure his leg gave herpause. Don t hurt yourself, she murmured. I m fine, he whispered. All I need is you. But your leg& I m being careful, he said, but he didn t seem to be keeping that promise when he put on acondom and lifted her up against the building.It was over almost as fast as it had begun.Sheer excitement crashed into frantic need for anincredible few minutes, obliterating every bit of pent-up longing.She could hear the music, smell theroses but all she could feel was Brandon moving inside her.Afterward, his heart pounded hard and fast beneath her ear and his chest rose and fell as hestruggled to catch his breath. I ve never done it at a wedding before, he told her with a chuckle.She tilted her head back to look up at him. I ve never done it anywhere in public. Lowering her gently to the ground, he kissed her temple. I m a bad influence. No.It was my fault as much as yours. He straightened his clothes while she straightened hers.Then he offered her his hand. Let s get outof here, go home. She shook her head. Do you have to stay for a while? I hope not.I want more of you. I m sorry, but she bit her lip this is goodbye, Brandon.I m not going back to your place. His eyebrows drew together. What are you talking about? He wasn t used to being denied.But she knew it was better to leave him wanting more.To end on apositive memory& I ve got my life and you ve got yours.I don t even live here. So? You re not far.Why not enjoy each other while we can? She wanted to walk away while she still had the strength to do it with some dignity.It wasimportant to her self-esteem.He was leaving the country in two weeks, anyway. Because you wereright. About& I m not capable of casual. His finger tilted up her chin. What if he started but another voice interrupted. Olivia? Olivia! Noelle was looking for her. Where are you? her sister cried. Damn, she whispered and began to step out of the trees, but he tugged her back. I m not ready tolet you go. She wasn t sure if he was referring to this moment or their relationship in general.But it didn tmatter either way. It ll be easier now than later, she said.Then she slipped out.Hoping to rejoin the wedding without bringing attention to herself, Olivia drew a deep breath andsmoothed her hair.But Noelle saw her as soon as she entered the room and came straight for her. Where have you been? her sister demanded. Everyone s been asking about you.Grandma andGrandpa are tired.They want to say goodbye. Olivia struggled to appear serene, but the intensity of what she d just experienced had left hershaken. Outside, getting some fresh air. Her sister s eyes narrowed.Had she noticed Olivia s flushed face and Brandon s recent departureand put the two together? Doing what? Nothing. At the suspicion in Noelle s voice, she couldn t help turning to see if Brandon was behind her, but he wasn t.Noelle raised one hand to pluck a leaf from her hair. At my wedding, Olivia? At my wedding? Olivia told herself to cross the room and say goodbye to her grandparents and everyone else.Butshe couldn t bring herself to stay another second.She d given this weekend all she had.And still shefelt like she d failed more than she d succeeded. I m leaving, she said. I hope you enjoy yourhoneymoon. Wait! Who s going to clean up? Noelle called, but Olivia ignored her.She walked faster andfaster until she was outside, running.Her parents and their friends could clean up.Kyle s friendscould help.She d done all she could.When she reached her car, she got in, locked the doors and peeled out of the lot.It wasn t until she was almost at her apartment that she realized she d received a text nearly half anhour earlier.It was from Brandon: I wish you d change your mind.* * *Olivia never came back.And she didn t call him.As one day led to the next the week after thewedding, Brandon held out hope that she might relent and see him.He knew what they d shared wasspecial.Wondered how she could hold out, given the strength of their attraction.But he didn t hear from her.He told himself to move on without her.He d known all along that hewasn t the kind of man she needed.He was too caught up in his career.And right now he had a battleof epic proportions on his hands if he expected to get back on a pair of skis
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