Forever My Love: A Contenporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 2) Read Free Page B

doors, and then smiled when she saw the unassuming doorbell, similar to one that might be found on a private residence. That is so him! With a big lump in her throat she forced herself to ring the bell and almost immediately, Ryan opened it. She gasped, unprepared for the effect the sight of him after so many years had on her body and her heart.  God, he’s even more beautiful than I had remembered! But that’s doesn’t matter. Remember? He broke your heart!
    Ryan smiled at her in way of a greeting. A smile that melted her heart and caused her knees to suddenly feel like they were made of jelly. The feeling traveled from her knees up to her stomach, turning it upside down and starting a fluttering sensation there. Damn it! Why does he still have such an effect on me? For crying out loud! It’s been ten years!
    Kendra pasted a smile upon her face, doing her best to hide the turmoil in her heart and brain. She stretched out her hand, “Hello, Ryan.”
    Ryan didn’t hesitate even a fraction of a second, taking her hand and shaking it very firmly, "Hi, Kendra. Come on in."
    If he'd been moved by her appearance, he'd concealed it well. But then, he'd probably forgotten her. Why should he still think about the awkward girl whose heart he broke? It's not like he couldn't have any beautiful woman he wanted. From the tabloids Kendra knew him to be a womanizer - never keeping a relationship for more than a few months.
    Ryan waited until she had crossed the threshold, and then he firmly closed the door behind her. He gestured for her to precede him further into the building. She walked a few steps and then turned and studied the inside of the space. Her eyes widened in astonishment. It looked so different than what she'd been expecting based upon the outside of the building. This is why you never judge a book by its cover!
    The space was very…him! His style was everywhere she looked. Masculine, yet sophisticated. Luxurious, yet understated. And huge! She looked up and estimated the ceilings were at least 30 feet high. And still, the space had a homey, cozy feel to it. Almost as if it had been designed more for comfort than any grand interior decorating scheme.
    Rather than a single theme, a myriad of used pieces of furniture were scattered about. All the pieces solitaires, nothing looking as if it had come from the same designer. Or even the same decade! But it worked. The “disorganized” look was perfect! 
    The reception area featured a little coffee table with lots and lots of magazines piled high and spilling off the sides. She took a step closer and noticed that all of them had a solitary woman wearing one of his pieces splashed across the covers. The table sat in the middle of an overly large, and somewhat tarnished, couch. It was upholstered in a green plaid tweed-like fabric, and had obviously seen better days.
    To either side of the couch sat two big armchairs. They didn’t match, one was a brown suede, and the other was a camel-colored leather. Again, both had seen much better days, but they did look comfortable and gave the reception area a very cozy atmosphere. A place where you want to sit down and spend some time. Not a sterile waiting area where your only desire is to get out of there as quick as possible.
    “Please have a seat,” Ryan suggested, waiting until she chose the leather chair before seating himself on the couch. He was staring at her and now appeared to be as struck by her as she was by him. Great!
    Kendra placed her bag onto the floor next to the chair and tried to relax. As if? That wasn’t happening anytime soon!
    "I didn’t know you were back in Chicago,” Ryan started the conversation.
    Kendra nodded, "Yes. I’ve been back for over six years. After I graduated from college I was offered a position at Percy’s.” Kendra broke off, the tension in the room ratcheting up to an uncomfortable level.
    She could feel her emotions trying to overtake the situation. Ryan was still the same boy