Love After War by Cheris Hodges Page A

tonight.
    Dana grabbed the outfit and laid it across the bed. She was going to have a good time tonight and leave all thoughts of Adrian behind.
    And at that moment, her cell phone rang. It was Adrian. As much as she wanted to ignore the call, she answered.
    â€œWhat do you want?” she asked.
    â€œYou.”
    â€œAdrian, I’m not doing this dance with you anymore. What do you want me for? Is it because you—”
    â€œI told you last night that I love you. Dana, I just want to see you. Can we at least meet for coffee?”
    She looked at the clock. There was plenty of time for a cup of coffee, but what did she and Adrian have to say to each other? Maybe he wanted to talk about the troubles at his club. As much as she wanted to pretend she didn’t give a damn, she did. Sighing, she finally agreed to the coffee. “I’ll meet you at our Starbucks in twenty minutes.”
    â€œThanks, Dana.”
    She ended the call and shook her head. Weak sauce, she thought as she disrobed and slipped into the jumpsuit. Dana crossed the room and stuffed her heels into her motorcycle bag and stepped into her boots. She laughed as she headed out the door. She’d broken both of the promises she’d made to her best friend and the lies she’d told herself. The trip to Starbucks wasn’t going to take more than twenty minutes, depending on the traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard. She wasn’t going to do more than talk to Adrian. She wasn’t even going to give him a hug. Keep it simple and quick, Dana told herself as she climbed onto her Harley and headed down the street.
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    As Adrian walked into Starbucks, he wondered what he should say to Dana about why he had to see her. He couldn’t stomach lying to her, but he also couldn’t tell her that he was out to ruin the man who abandoned him as a child and broke his mother’s heart. One of the reasons he loved Dana was because she reminded him of Pamela. Her spirit was as giving and loving as his mother had been. His mother had taken an instant liking to Dana when they’d met, telling her son that Dana was the kind of woman you held on to.
    Adrian wished he’d listened. Maybe Dana’s love was more important than revenge. But how was he going to convince her to give him another chance when he’d done such a great job of presenting himself as an asshole?
    The roar of a motorcycle shook him out of his emotions. “I know she didn’t,” he muttered as he watched the cycle circle the parking lot. He didn’t have to see her face to know that Dana was the rider. He knew those hips.
    Turning toward the door, he headed outside to meet her. As he watched Dana pull her helmet off and shake her locks, he was transfixed by her curve-hugging outfit. His groin twitched and threatened to burst through his fly as she walked toward him. Adrian tried to calm his hormones, but he was standing there with his mouth slightly agape watching a goddess approach him. He’d nearly forgotten that he’d come outside to voice his umbrage at her choice of transportation. “Wow. You look amazing,” he was able to say as his eyes roamed her body.
    â€œSurely you don’t want to talk about how I look.”
    â€œDana, about this morning, I don’t want you to think that spending the night with you had anything to do with that guy. I have a lot to make up for because I hurt you,” he said.
    â€œAdrian, we’re not the same people we were two years ago. I’m not here to wiggle my way back into your life. I was hoping to never see you again. You’ve made it clear that you don’t trust me enough to have a significant role in your life. You wouldn’t even let me be there for you when your mother died and I know how her passing hurt you.”
    Adrian stepped closer to her, his lips inches from her face. She smelled like roses and jasmine. He stroked her cheek and felt her tremble