Bellissimo Rilascio (Beautiful Release): The Family Series #3 by Leigh Ann Lunsford Page A

not sure how to come back from that . . . or if I would want to. The past is the past. I want a future.
     
    I’m lost in memories.
     
    The gym. Prom. Our first time. Breaking up with her the first time. Her dad dying. Seeing her with Heath. Her walking away from me at the wedding. Her in the hospital bed.
     
    Meeting Lisa. Her blushing. Her smiles. Sex with her. Her openness. Her sweet smile. Her calming touch.
     
    The two are polar opposites. Women and relationships. I know which one I want.
     
    I’m startled out of my trance by a soft knock on my door. I jump up hoping it’s Lisa so I can explain to her my future is her. I hope.

Chapter Fifteen
    Bianca
     
     
    Contemplating all that could go wrong, accepting he might reject me, recognizing he could have realized I’m not worth it; any sane person would have called. Maybe sent a message. Nope, I fly to him and decide to do this face to face. I stand from the bench and sit back down talking myself out of hailing a cab. I don’t know where he is. He could be at work, on a date, or at his apartment. I’ve got a headache from all these emotions.
     
    I stand for the final time forcing myself to walk to the rental car kiosk. It’s safer to have an escape route in case it’s needed. Once the keys are in my hand, I feel like I could faint. I’m as sharp as a cue ball coming here to confront this. I want to kick Doc’s ass.
     
    Express your feelings, Bianca.
     
    You’re ready, Bianca.
     
    Only you can fix this, Bianca.
     
    I won’t be paying for the next therapy session. He still owes me.
     
    I drive on autopilot, and before long I’m staring at the apartment complex he lives in. I take a few deep breaths, look at the bandage covering the tattoo, and know what I have to do.
     
    Raising my hand to knock, I hesitate. Swallowing the fear, I rap my knuckles a few times and wait. I hear movement on the other side and hold my breath. Opening the door, he stares. I try to smile, but I know it looks fake. I open my mouth. “Long time.” That’s what I came up with. Real smooth, Bianca .
     
    I knew it would be hard to see him again. The last time I saw his face; his eyes were haunted, filled with fear seeing me in the hospital bed. He shouldn’t have felt one iota of despair for me after what I did to him. He should be reveling in me inflicting pain upon myself.
     
    That isn’t his way though.
     
    Heath is gentle, yet strong. Solid, yet would bend to my needs. Hard, but his arms are always a soft place to land. I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure words will repair what I destroyed.
     
    “Small talk was never your forté.” He smiles at me. A genuine smile with dimples and all.
     
    “How have you been?”
     
    “You going to ask me about the weather next?” He’s not going to let me off easy. He always called me on my shit.
     
    “Touché. I miss you.” I want to say I had already told him that in the text I sent, but I refrain. I need to be defenseless so my smartass-ness won’t overtake this conversation.
     
    “Do you miss me, or do you miss having someone?” Ouch. He isn’t holding anything back.
     
    “You. Only you. The way your arms cradle me. The way your lips capture mine. The way you, and only you , ignite my body and leave me craving more. I miss your voice, your laughter, holding your hand, but most of all I miss the way I feel when I’m with you.”
     
    “How do you feel with me?”
     
    “Do you think you could invite me in? Kind of awkward doing this out here.” He raises his eyebrow and I know it’s a test to see how far I’m willing to go. “Out of control, yet steady. Sure of myself, but never complacent. Simple, in love.”
     
    “How do you feel without me?”
     
    “Lost. Sad. So damn empty.” He opens the door wide, his invitation clear.
     
    “God,” he exhales slowly. “Bianca, I’ve missed you everyday since you’ve been gone. I’ve dreamed of the day you would come back to me, but I wasn’t sure