Her Perfect Valentine Birthday Surprise Read Online Free Page A

know—”
       I put my hands up to stop him.  “Back up.  I’m still on your, ‘I’m not’.  You’re not what?” I repeated.  I needed to hear the full sentence.  
       “Denise and I have been divorced for six months.”
       My heart leaped against my ribcage.  I took a few steps back from Sheldon.  Being that close to him, knowing he wasn’t married was making me dizzy.  “You’re divorced?”  I asked when I finally found my voice again.  “How come it’s not public knowledge?”
       “We kept it quiet for business, and for the girls.  We still share the master suite to keep up appearances for the nanny and the housekeeper.  I sleep on the couch in the bedroom the few nights Denise has spent at home since the divorce.  But now that you’re back in my life, I don’t see the need to keep our split shrouded in mystery.  You and I have wasted too many years, already.  I don’t want to waste any more, especially not with Marissa.”
       I was speechless.  I couldn’t, didn’t want to believe the words that were coming out of his mouth.   He loved me!   He was divorced!   I could have him right here and now if I wanted, and I did want him.
       Sensing my shock and inability to respond, he marched right up to me and pulled me into his arms, just as he’d done the night we met.  And when his lips descended on mine, as usual, my common sense took flight, but only for a few brief moments.   I needed to know .
       I pushed him away and gazed up into his entrancing eyes.  “Sheldon, were you married that night we made love?  Were you involved or even engaged?”
       His eyes narrowed to slid as if he was hurt I would think so little of him.  But if he’d cheated on his wife back then, how could I be sure he wouldn’t cheat on me.  He could just be telling me he loved me just to get into my panties again.  Nothing was about me anymore.  I had a child to protect now.
       Sheldon dropped his hands to his side.  “The night I walked into that bar was the night my father told me I had to marry Denise to save our company,” he said, with a regretful twist to his lips.  “Denise and I knew each other through our families’ connection, but we weren’t a couple.”  He scoffed.  “I was never even attracted to her.  But when my father explained the trouble our company was in, I had to agree to save it, to save our family from financial ruin.”
       He shook his head as if to shake off the memory of that conversation.  “God, I was so distraught.  I just wanted to drink myself into oblivion, so I went out bar hopping.  Yours was the third I hit, and when I saw you sitting there, looking like a love goddess, I thought how unfair life was.  I only had that one night of freedom left, and I was determined to make every second count.”
       Relief circulated through me, replacing the doubts I’d been harboring about his fidelity.  I reached up and stroked my fingers along his strong jawlines.  “I was lonely that night.  My girlfriend was supposed to celebrate my birthday with me, but she had to cancel,” I said.  “I guess it was the loneliness that drove me into your arms, your car, and your bed.”
       “I don’t care what it was that brought us together.  I’m just happy we did get together.”  Sheldon took my hand and let me over to the couch where we sat holding each other.  He chuckled as he stroked his fingers through my hair.  “I told you I was your Perfect Valentine Birthday Surprise.  It was even more perfect than either of us realized.”
       “Yes, our beautiful daughter was born from that union.”  Suddenly, a different kind of doubt set in again.  I gazed up at him through the dim lamplight.  “Are you sure you want her, me...”
       He took my hand and held it against his chest.  “With all my heart, darling.  I promise we’ll be together soon.  You, Marissa, and my other two daughters are the most