Promise Me Forever (Debbie Macomber Classics) by Debbie Macomber Page A

regretted was letting Sloan assume she was seeing a man. It seemed childish now, but vital at the moment.
    They ate at a Chinese restaurant and drank several cups of tea while chatting over old times. When Danielle suggested a movie, Joy readily agreed. After a quick phone call to Clara,she sat through a nondescript movie. No matter how hard she forced herself to watch the screen, her thoughts continually drifted back to Sloan.
    Danielle and Joy parted after the show, and Joy drove back to her apartment. Her watch said it was only ten. Much too early for her to head back to the beach house. If she was going to feel like a criminal because she took a night off, then he could sit and wait.
    With the television on, Joy slouched across a lumpy couch and laid her head against the back cushion and closed her eyes. When she opened them again it was well past two o’clock. Oh heavens, she hadn’t meant to stay away this long. If Sloan had waited for her he’d be in a fine mood by now.
    When she pulled into her parking spot in front of the house, she took in several calming breaths. Mentally, she prepared herself—for what, she wasn’t sure.
    The porch light was on, and another in the long hallway that led to her room. She turned off the outside light and tiptoed into the entryway. A deep voice flew out from the living room. “You look like a thief in the night.”
    Startled, she let out a gasp. Her hand flew to her breast. “What are you doing there?” she demanded defensively.
    “In case you’ve forgotten, I live here.”
    “I didn’t mean that to sound the way it did,” she apologized. “You frightened me.”
    He moved closer to her. “Did you have a good time?”
    “Wonderful,” she lied.
    “How was Dan?”
    “Good.” She took in a deep breath. “Is this an interrogation?”
    “No, just curiosity.”
    “I didn’t mean to stay out so late.” She could have kicked herself the minute the words slipped past her mouth.
    “Time flies when you’re having fun, or so they say.”
    “Yes, well, I think I’ll get to bed.”
    “Did Dan kiss you good night?” The question came abruptly, issued with impatience.
    “I don’t think that’s any of your business.” Her hand tightened around the strap of her purse.
    “You don’t look like you’ve been kissed.”
    “Sloan, please.” She released the words on a sigh.
    “At least when I kiss you, there’s no doubt. Your eyes grow warm and gentle, your face is flushed, and you have a look about you that begs for more.”
    Joy looked away, but not before she saw the way Sloan’s fingers bit into the arm of his chair.
    “Does Dan make you feel the way I do?” he continued, his voice raspy and deep. “Does your heart beat faster when he holds you? Or is it just the thrill of having a man, a real man, one you don’t have to look down to?”
    “Stop it,” she cried, her voice strained and weak. “You don’t know what you’re saying.” The temptation was to cry out that he was more man than she’d ever known, all the man she’d ever need. Were he never to take another step, she couldn’t love him any more than she already did.
    Joy inhaled a sharp breath, and her eyes rounded at the startling realization. For days she’d been struggling with herself, refusing to accept the truth. Now, in her anger, she acknowledged her true feelings. It was too late; she was already in love with him.
    “Joy?” Sloan paused and took her hand. “Are you all right? You look like you’re sick.”
    “I’m fine,” she mumbled, and pulled her hand free from his. “I just need to lie down.” She felt like she was staggering as she rushed down the hall to her room. Of course, she wasn’t, but it seemed her whole world had crumpled in on top of her, and the weight was more than she could possibly manage.
    “Joy, wait,” Sloan called out after her, but she ignored him and firmly shut the bedroom door.
    Even after she’d changed clothes and crawled between the fresh