The Stranger's Secrets Read Free

drink.”
    Vickie looked at Sarah with so much sadness and even a hint of betrayal in her blue eyes. “I can’t imagine living here without you, Sarah.”
    Sarah waved her hand in dismissal. “You are the toughest person I know. Don’t get all sappy on me now. The sun will rise and you will still be alive and kicking.” She wasn’t about to accept her friend’s emotional well-being into her keeping.
    “I know you don’t like to talk about feelings and such, but I have to say this and then I’ll stop, I promise.” Vickie took a deep breath, the fabric of her blue dress straining against her ample endowments. “You saved my life twice. First when I was a child, hungry, scared, and confused. Then when I was on the edge of leaving life altogether. For that, I will always be grateful. Aside from that, you are my best friend, the one person I can tell my secrets to, and you were going to walk out of my life without saying good-bye. That hurt, a lot, and while I understand it, it’s going to take me time to forgive it.”
    Vickie knew exactly what to say to make Sarah regret her actions, as she damn sure did right then. The opportunity to start fresh had presented itself, and Sarah had jumped at the chance, regardless of anyone or anything else. Hurting Vickie had not been part of her thought process, but apparently she’d done more than hurt her—she’d damaged their friendship.
    Sarah cleared the lump that had taken up residence in her throat. “I’m sorry, Vic.”
    Vickie nodded, her blond curls bouncing gently with the movement. “I know you are, but you are still leaving, aren’t you?”
    “Yes. There’s nothing in the world going to keep me in Virginia. I need to clean my own slate and write the story I was meant to live.” Sarah picked up her traveling case and the small bag containing the books. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, but my mind’s made up. You coming for that drink or not?”
    Uncomfortable with the conversation, Sarah waited while emotions flitted across Vickie’s face. She finally rose and took the small bag from Sarah’s hand. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
    For the first time in many, many years, Sarah felt the sting of tears. She blinked them away and blew out the lamp.
     
    In the wee hours of the night, Sarah returned to her room, the whiskey washing through her veins like an old friend. She hadn’t intended on having more than one drink, but once they’d gotten started, it was difficult to stop.
    She’d miss Vickie, and telling her dear friend that had been too difficult to do. Instead she’d kept drinking until her vision had started to blur. Sarah had managed to say good night and give Vickie a very brief hug, and then she’d stumbled off to her room.
    What was wrong with her? She just couldn’t seem to allow anyone to know she had a heart. A cold bitch is what everyone saw.
    Sarah slid off her clothes and climbed into bed nude only to realize she wasn’t alone. A body lay next to her, a hot, hard body. She should’ve been afraid, but it wasn’t the first time Lorenzo had snuck into her room.
    “ Cara mia, I’m sorry, I just had to try one more time.” His accent deepened as he skimmed his hand up her leg.
    She stopped him before he reached anything important. “I’ve told you before, I don’t have sex with my employees. Go back to your own bed.”
    “Ah, but I don’t work for you anymore.”
    Sarah could almost hear him smile in the darkness. Dammit, he was right, of course. She’d given her business interest to her friends, signing away the house and business she’d held on to for so long.
    “Doesn’t matter. Lorenzo, I’m not changing my mind about leaving. I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to do this.” No matter what words were falling out of her mouth, her body was responding to his. Lorenzo’s calloused, strong hands kneaded her legs and feet, working their way up to her now-throbbing pussy.
    She didn’t want to be aroused by her