He was straight as an arrow and reliable to a fault. How then had Lonnie Bradbury managed to land himself in such a mess when he ended his last deep cover assignment for the Drug Enforcement Agency. He was used to dealing with drug dealers and users, only now he had become one of them. He was as hooked as the scum he usually dealt with. He had gotten the information but at what price? Lonnie decided he would hole up at a friends cabin and get himself clean. No one would see or know about his struggles. It was a logical plan. Only he hadn’t counted on Kathy Young being his next door neighbor. She could try the patience of a saint and he wasn’t in any condition to handle the pampered princess right now.
She was a pint of 100 proof trouble.
Kathy Young had fallen in love with the sweetest most courageous man on earth when she was younger. She had chased him off with her imbecilic two year old tantrums when he had only been trying to respect her honor. She had regretted it ever since. When Lonnie showed up at the cabin next to her, it was an answer to a prayer. The only problem was, he seemed like a totally different man. He was hard and irritable where once he had been sweet and open. She didn’t know this Lonnie. If that wasn’t bad enough she kept trying to get him killed. It seemed like everything she did only caused more problems for him. Could she win back her knight in shining armor? Or would she have to settle for a knight with a bit of a black heart?
"The reason, that night wasn't that you didn't have any experience Kathy. I wanted to protect you. I...I...damn this is hard."
"You aren't a closet gay are you?"
"What?" Lonnie jerked as if she'd hit him. Where had that come from?
"I didn't think so. So what stopped you?"
Lonnie stared at her, his green eyes troubled yet determined. "Kathy. I've never had sex before."
"What?" Her mouth hung open, she knew.
"My parents raised me to consider lovemaking sacred to marriage. I...you were so young at the time. I wanted you so badly; I was ready to sacrifice those morals just for the pleasure regardless of the cost to you. Thank God my conscience started working before I abused your trust."
"You were a virgin too?" Kathy couldn't take it in. "I thought you didn't want me. I thought I was doing something wrong." She told him indignantly.
"I did try to explain."
She shook her head. "I know. I wouldn't let you. I just never dreamed..."
"I don't want you to think I am completely lacking in that area. There have been women in my life I just didn't consummate...things."
"Lonnie, I am still a virgin."
"I know." He kissed her sweetly.
"Are...you...? Are you saying we can't? Exactly what are you saying?" She demanded quickly. If he thought he was going to back out of things this time. He was sadly mistaken.
"You are not the only virgin in this room."
"Well, I have news for you Lonnie Bradbury." Kathy poked a determined finger in to his chest. "If you think any virgins are going to leave this room alive, you are sadly mistaken. I have waited too long and.'
Lonnie began to laugh, loudly. "Kathy, I've waited just like you have. There isn't anyone I want more now or ever."
Kathy smiled at him sheepishly. "I thought you were trying to get out of it again."
"I have no intention of...getting out of anything." He kissed her again. "I have every intention of making love to you tonight Kathy. You want me. I want you. The rest will take care of itself. I just can't make any promises, okay?"
"I am not expecting any." Kathy told him as honestly as she could. She knew what kind of a life he lived but at the back of her mind she couldn't help thinking Graham and Mattie were making their marriage work, as was Beverly and Carlton. Even Nick and Alex had come to an understanding that worked.
