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“It can’t. I can’t. I’m sorry,” she said, but he leaned closer, tilted her head up toward him, and touched his lips to hers.

It felt so good to be kissed by a man again. Strong, warm, passionate lips against her more delicate mouth. The feel of him pressing closer and tasting her brought on a surge of emotions. His masculinity, the scent of his cologne, the feeling of being protected by a man consumed her, and then came images of Gabe.

She pulled back, the tears instantly sparking in her eyes.

“Alana?”

She shook her head.

“It isn’t fair. I can’t do this. You don’t seem to understand.” She pressed her hands against Geno’s chest. Gator and Jeb placed their hands on her shoulders.

“We do understand. You still love Gabe,” Gator whispered.

“Despite what you might think, I never dated anyone else. I never kissed anyone else. To kiss you, and to feel something, is too much. I’m sorry. I’m not ready for this.”

She turned around and opened the car door. The men stepped back, but Geno took her hand. He brought it to his lips as she paused before getting into her car.

“Take your time, Alana. We’re not going anywhere. This isn’t an attraction any of us can ignore or simply walk away from.”

“I’m afraid that’s exactly the right thing to do.” She pulled away, got into her car, and started the engine. She wouldn’t look at them as she put the car in drive and slowly pulled out of the parking spot. She couldn’t look at them and wish for things to be different, to let this attraction happen. She needed to distance herself from thoughts of them and Gabe. That was the point of moving out of Scrantonville. But it seemed God was into playing tricks on her. With these guys around, she would never get Gabe out of her head. Ever.

Chapter 2

Gabe sat on the back porch and stared out into the woods. Jaxon sat on the chair with his feet up on the porch railing. The others had gotten in late last night. It seemed something interested them in town the last several days.

“It’s going to be a nic

e day for the fair. The last one before they head out of town,” Jaxon told him.

Gabe didn’t really give a shit about fairs, parties, social gatherings, or anything else. His leg throbbed, his head hurt, and he couldn’t sleep. Not even the meds from the local doctor helped him sleep. Not with his mind on Alana.

“There’ll be something else in Salvation next weekend and the next and so forth. There’s always something being celebrated,” Gabe said, sounding bitter to his own ears. He was filled with hatred, anger, and felt as though his heart was hollow. Except seeing Alana had given him a reaction he’d thought he buried.

“That’s because towns like Salvation, and eventually Tranquility too, like to celebrate life and bring people together.”

“Fuck that,” he practically spat.

“You’re really full of piss and vinegar this morning. Didn’t get enough sleep?”

“Never fucking do anymore. A wink here and there. Not much the last few days.”

“Thinking about anything in particular? Or maybe someone in particular?” Jaxon pushed, and Gabe turned toward him.

Jaxon had been their leader in the Marines. Even as civilians now, Gabe looked to him for direction, for support, and even comfort. God knows if Gabe had gone off and tried living off the land and disappearing, he would have taken his own life.

“Just aching, that’s all,” he lied.

Jaxon was silent a moment, and Gabe thought he was clear of any potential discussion. But no such luck.

“Why didn’t you tell us about Alana?”

He felt his chest tighten, and the emotions he was trying so hard to bury jumped forward, and he quickly suppressed them.

“Nothing to tell.”

“Didn’t seem so from her reaction to seeing you.”

“She thought I was dead. That was the plan.”