BETWEEN CLOUDS AND STARS: A Sexy Standalone Romance by Sharlyn G. Branson Page B

relationship? Oh, God, why did the mere thought of that cause me such agony? How would I be able to live, knowing that the love of my life was so near me, but I couldn’t have him? We worked together, which complicated the situation even further. Perhaps I’d have to leave New York and find a job in another big U.S. city? Yes, that was one option. Difficult but doable.
    After the Johnsons left, Nick went to have some important conversation, and I sat on the edge of the pool, near the waterfall. The wind made the bushes rustle and carried a scent of freshly cut grass, sea air, and spring flowers. The running water had a very calming effect on me and, seemingly, the power to gradually erode my fears. My entire life I’d felt very lonely, like a lone tree on a hill that only meets the sun as it rises and sets. Nick had taken all the darkness and drabness away and given me so much light. I adored him. I was sure I’d continue to love him even if we weren’t together.
    “Hey, babe.” Nick’s voice made me turn around. He was coming over to me in quick strides. He was gorgeous, dressed in faded jeans and a gray T-shirt. The softness in his eyes enveloped my heart with warmth, and it started beating fast and hard against my ribcage. To me, he was the most handsome of men, with his perfectly symmetrical face and square jawline. And given my current dilemma, being madly in love with him didn’t help in the slightest.
    How should I tell him it’d be best if we split up?
    He sat next to me and put his arm around me, pressing his sinfully soft lips against mine.
    “What’s up? You look pensive. Did Vicky’s curiosity annoy you by any chance? She’s still very young and doesn’t understand anything.”
    “Vicky’s a very sweet girl. I’d be overjoyed to have such a beautiful daughter.” My voice faded as I felt a lump get stuck in my throat.
    “Don’t dwell on that,” he whispered softly. His hot breath caressed my face.
    “On the contrary, I have to… I can’t pretend this isn’t a problem.” I took a deep breath to give myself some strength and said, “I think it’d be for the best if we split up.”
    Nick knitted his eyebrows in disapproval. Brown flames sparked in his eyes. I sensed rage, tension, and anxiety emanating from him. “Don’t talk nonsense, Estelle. I won’t allow it.”
    “But it’d really be better. You’d be able to live your life with a woman who could give you children, who’d be able to bring this joy to you. I can’t do that.” I tried to stand—I needed some distance. Being so close to him made me feel even more pain. The heat of his body, his amazing but now sad eyes… God, I loved him.
    I stood up, but was quickly captured in his powerful embrace and found myself in his lap.
    “Estelle, please, I don’t want us to fight. I only need you . And I know the same goes for you, babe. Listen to your heart. It never lies.”
    “I need to listen to my head. I love you too much to be selfish.”
    “I love you too, my love.” His thumb gently stroked my cheek. “You and I make a great team. Together we’ll overcome every obstacle. With you, I feel like I’m flying through the clouds and stars. It’s wonderful, babe… I’ve never felt like that with any other woman. You know how much I love flying, and you make me feel like I have wings. I wouldn’t replace you with anyone else.” His eyes gazed at me pleadingly. “Yes, our relationship is quickly becoming serious, but there’s nothing wrong with that. If, in time, you want to have a child, we’ll see every doctor, we’ll try in vitro—”
    “And if all that fails?”
    Nick was the strong link in our relationship, and I was the weak one. I needed him, his support and protection. Why was I trying to screw everything up? Didn’t he have the right to make a decision about his future himself? Why was I killing everything good between us?
    Because I loved him more than anything and wanted him to be happy.
    “We can think