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28. Smoking Mirrors & Flames
Last Updated:
2025-01-06 00:51:09
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When Regret Isn't Enough 29. Blurred Lines
Collin felt exhausted as he stood there, not believing he was in this situation with Deja's friend, the woman he adores. “Look, I need to take a seat.”After taking his wallet from his back pocket and keys from his front pocket, he decided to get as comfortable as he could for the moment. Collin finally dropped his long frame to the chair by the bed, so weary he could no longer stand. He shoved his fingers through his hair, and with sleepy-lidded eyes, his silky hair fell toward his face. He looked pretty disturbingly sexy. “I need sleep more than anything else right now.”He propped one and then the other sockless foot on the mattress. He settled back, lightly linking his hands together low on his flat abs. Then he let out a long, shuddering sigh. She stared at more than five feet, almost six feet of raw power and testosterone, in disbelief. She stared more at him, but he didn't appear to care. "Thanks, I appreciate this, Olivia." "Oh, you're not sleeping yet?" With a deep breat
Last Updated : 2025-01-06When Regret Isn't Enough 30. Guilt Filled Bedroom
Olivia smiled, feeling her emotions swirl inside her. He seemed very, very nice. She tried to convince herself he was a pleasant man and that it was nice to meet a new person. 'I've talked to him, and he doesn't seem like a creep. Deja introduced him as her friend. He must be a respectable guy. ' Olivia began to feel guilty about having the king-size bed for herself. "Should I share this massive bed with him? No...well..." she thought, her guilt making her feel terrible. A few minutes later, he went into the bathroom to freshen up. She saw him pulling the two chairs together and stretching out. She pulled the bed covers up to her chest and pondered for about five minutes what to do as he tried to get comfortable in the two narrow chairs.“Collin.” Olivia softly called his name, sounding unsure of herself. “Yes.” He said quietly with his eyes closed as he was lying on his side on the chair. “I feel guilty about you sleeping on those hard chairs.” “Don't worry, I'll be fine.” Oliv
Last Updated : 2025-01-07When Regret Isn't Enough 31. The Storm
Good morning, Miss Olivia;I wanted to wake you and thank you in person for being the perfect roommate. But you slept so peacefully that I didn't want to disturb you. I had a wonderful time despite the inconvenient circumstances that brought us together. I want to thank you for all your kindness. It's still freezing, so wrap up warmly when you get ready to leave. Here's my phone number: (010) 213-7880. Give me a call as soon as you can. Please don't think I'm referring to the $200.00. I trust you already, remember. Collin Halston. Take care, and I hope to hear from you soon, maybe over a cup of coffee one day.******Collin reflects on what happened. When awake, he felt cold air fill the room. Daylight found its way through a slant in the drapes at the window. The line of daylight beams on my face caused me to begin to stir awake. "Something else was right on my face," he heard a soft voice say. “Why are you in my bed?” She asked breathlessly.“No...this is my bed,” I responded, n
Last Updated : 2025-01-07When Regret Isn't Enough 32. A Private Storm
Amanza stirred as the temperature dropped even further as the night went on. While still sleeping, she felt chilled to the bone. She had no idea how long she had been sleeping in the cold cabin until she suddenly awakened! Her eyes popped open as she heard a strange roaring sound. She sat up, looking around. Amanza realized there was no Holland. Fear immediately overcame her because she was almost sure she had heard something.Listening carefully, only to be reminded of the blizzard outside, pounding in its fearsome but quiet way. She realizes it isn't anything but the storm itself until you hear the strong stormy gust of powerful winds. But she wondered where did Holland go. ‘Maybe he went to sleep in the bedroom.’But strange noises could be heard, which wasn’t like any sound she had ever experienced. ‘So this is what it's like being in a blizzard!’ Amanza, with rattled nerves, curls back up on the sofa, wrapping her arms tightly around one of the pillows. It gave her a sense of sec
Last Updated : 2025-01-08When Regret Isn't Enough 33. Flames & Blazing Fire
She immediately reached down and embraced him, embracing him as he lay on her front porch in the snow! Half of his body was sprawled out on the porch, and the other half was partially over the door sill. Tears poured out of Amanza's eyes like pools of water as she held herself close to him.The snow and strong winds met her face, pelting it with tiny ice as she came to reality. She quickly rose off of Hand. “Can you get up?”Holland's lifeless attempts to lift his head were the result of him being too weak, so he let it fall back weakly into the pile of snow.“No! No! Please, Holland, you gotta get up! Please try to help me get you inside.”She pushed him upright by his shoulders and back with all her might, asking him, “Can you stand?”He doesn't utter a word; he just struggles to stand up. His face is frozen, his lips pale, shrunken, and chapped. His lashes and eyebrows are covered with hard ice, and his cheeks are red.“Put your arm around my shoulders. Come on, come this way.”She
Last Updated : 2025-01-08When Regret Isn't Enough 34. The Closer I Get To You
Amanza sat there in this unintended place, time, and position, gazing at every inch of him. His intense magnetic pull caused her to vocalize her emotions and attraction to him willingly. Holland's bare flesh drew her closer to lhim as she lean against him and whispers in his ear, "Holland, is it possible that I still love you? What are these feelings?”Only the light from the fireplace shown on his beautiful upper body and gave off an amber glow. He looked so appealing and appetizing. Amanza could not withhold the emotions or tears from falling at the thought that she could have almost lost him. Getting a grip on herself, wiping her tears.She undressed him, wrapping his neck in a dry, warm towel. He was exhausted! Holland had not opened his eyes once since entering the house. Removing her leg from around him, she realized that she had to remove those wet pants."How do I get these wet pants off?" Hesitating and hesitating to touch them.Amanza convinces herself to be brave. 'After a
Last Updated : 2025-01-09When Regret Isn't Enough 35. A Delicious Body
He was lying on his stomach with his head and one arm wrapped over her thighs and the other arm wrapped around her waist and back. His face was under her sweater, pressed against her bare stomach, seeking warmth from her flesh.Realizing this, Amanza feels currents of fire blaze through her body, waking dormant parts and beaming them to life! Unpredictably, she moans lightly. Holland makes no sounds other than light breathing. She looks down at him, unknowingly awakening thoughts of their past times. His hand is now under her cashmere sweater, touching her bare skin again. Amanza breathes in profoundly, trying to contain the ignition in her core. She says, "He's sleeping and has no idea what's happening."A few minutes pass, and she can feel him changing his position again. He was like a child in his mother's lap, trying to find warmth and comfort. He turns on his side, placing his hands securely on both sides of her hips around to her backside.His other arm is positioned around the
Last Updated : 2025-01-09When Regret Isn't Enough 36. We Have A Past
Amanza stood in the doorway, watching him prepare the food. The delicious smell of breakfast filled the cabin. She couldn't wait to taste what he had prepared. He intently watched the food as he stirred and flipped the eggs while calmly telling her what he needed next:“Baby, I need our plates.”Hearing him call her baby initially felt odd and uncomfortable, but Amanza decided to relax and enjoy the moment. It made her think about what their marriage should have felt like. She permitted herself to smile inside whenever he called her baby and promptly responded, “Coming right up!”They sit in front of the fireplace and eat breakfast together, stealing glances at one another. Amanza struggles with all her mixed feelings.“Holland.........either this is tasty, or I'm starving."He slides closer to her, his knees touching hers. With each bite she takes, he smiles. Holland enjoys the movement of her mouth.“I'm never going to be able to finish my food if you are going to stare at me like th
Last Updated : 2025-01-10
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When Regret Isn't Enough 54. Getting Over It
Collin needed a drink! He couldn't believe Olivia hadn’t contacted him! You see, the night of the storm, he failed to get her phone number from her a month ago. She's the only other girl that made him feel something besides Deja. He’d thought long and hard about it, and Collin knew she was the one he could see himself starting a family with. That’s right. He wanted to have his own family to love and cherish. He knew it sounded strange, but that had been his secret thoughts. He’s headed to the club to meet his friend Tony Jones. "I called Tony and a few other guys. Tony said he couldn't wait to see me!"Tony Jones is the guy Collin made good friends with when he worked at Wright’s Jewelry. Collin was looking forward to seeing Tony. "Hey, baby, can we get some drinks over here?" he called out to the waitress, looking forward to a cold one. The rest of the guys arrived shortly after he had downed his first beer. Everyone was having a good time laughing and talking about the sights in
When Regret Isn't Enough 53. No More Pain
Collin’s PerspectiveA week had passed. Collin knew he needed time to purge himself emotionally from his firm and close connection to Deja Amanza Wright. He filed away all the memories of wishing, thinking, and dreaming about the girl he had wanted for so long but would never have by his side. Collin sadly mumbled. "It's done."He flexed his hands open, then closed them tight against his knees, trying to push back the tidal wave of tears he felt. Logically, he knew that this was what he had to do. The pain coursed through his body to his broken heart. He couldn't keep hoping that he had an opportunity when there was none. So now it’s time to do and see things differently. If I stay in the same place emotionally, I fear I will be stuck and never move past my devastating loss. And as much as he wanted to hold on to these memories, never to let a single one of them fade. He prayed out loud. “Oh! God forbid let these memories disappear completely before they drown me.”Each day at work
When Regret Isn't Enough 52. End Of A Dream
“And, if I can have a second chance to capture love again, I think it will all be worth it.” “I wish things would have turned out differently. It would make my life so much easier if it were.""It's okay, Collin. Love can be a complicated thing. But it doesn't have to be if you find the right person for you. I’m not the right girl for you. Love can't be explained or quantified; it is something you must experience, and when you do, you will know. I promise you will know." Collin nodded, “Okay…I get it; it doesn't have to be me. I’ll accept that; I will be your friend. But do I have to be your brother-in-law? Yuk!”“Don’t make me laugh.” “No, I'm serious. I don’t get why it has to be Holland. He’s been a jerk all my life.” “No matter how I try to explain it, I know you, Collin. You will never understand. So don’t wreck your brain trying to figure me out. You probably will never get it because you have never been in love or married.”“So, I’m not on your level.” “That’s right…I have
When Regret Isn't Enough 51. What Could Have Been
Tonight, Deja's heart broke as tears came to her eyes. She couldn’t face him or answer his question, so she turned her back to him. “Collin, don't ask me that.” “Please, Deja,” He said, taking hold of her shoulders from behind. “I’m trying all I can to appeal to your sense of reasoning. She hung her head, shaking it, saying no.Collin Halston had been a longtime friend of the Wright family since Deja entered college. They had met and became close. Having Collin in her life over time made her rethink a few things. Deja wasn’t sure how she felt about him associating with her dad. Clinton and her father took a liking to Collin almost immediately. As time passed, he became a mentor and took Collin under his wing. Occasionally, her father would ask her that question during her college days. If I loved Collin, it would have made me highly defensive.Deja thought, ‘Why did I get so defensive when I asked that question.’“Deja, why are you crying? Who are you worried about? If you want to
When Regret Isn't Enough 50. What Should I Do
Tonight, Deja's heart broke as tears came to her eyes. She couldn’t face him or answer his question, so she turned her back to him. “Collin, don't ask me that.” “Please, Deja,” He said, taking hold of her shoulders from behind. “I’m trying all I can to appeal to your sense of reasoning. She hung her head, shaking it, saying no.Collin Halston had been a longtime friend of the Wright family since Deja entered college. They had met and become close. Over time, Having Collin in her life made her rethink a few things. Deja wasn’t sure how she felt about him associating with her dad. Clinton and her father took a liking to Collin almost immediately. As time passed, he became a mentor and took Collin under his wing. Occasionally, during her college days, her father asked her that question. If I loved Collin, it made me highly defensive.Deja thought, ‘Why did I get so defensive when I asked that question.’“Deja, why are you crying? Who are you worried about? If you want to give us a chan
When Regret Isn't Enough 49. Don't Do Go Back
“Oh…Collin, my father had no right to ask you that.”“I never had the chance to tell you how I feel, but I should let you know now that I got angry about your meeting with Holland.”“Collin,” Amanza took a deep breath and considered her following words carefully. "Collin, you're a great guy, and I care about you. However, I don't see this developing into a relationship if that's what you're looking for from me."He stared at her blankly like he hadn't heard her. Did he hear what she said? "You don't see it going anywhere?" he asked quietly. "No, I don't, I'm sorry." If he were hurt, he wouldn't have shown it. There was no anger or pain in his eyes. “Have you forgotten? I was there for you to pick up the pieces last time.”Amanza rolled her eyes. “This is not about Olivia but me?” “Yes, I don’t want to see you hurt again, Deja.” Placing her hand gently on Collin’s masculine hand in a reassuring manner. “Look, I’m a big girl and can care for myself. I’ve learned a lot, and I don’
When Regret Isn't Enough 48. He Will Disappointed You
"I don't know about us getting back together...but I did not know how I felt about him and was angry. All I can say is we talked and covered a lot like two grown-ups, and I know how I feel about him...""I'm still not following," he said quietly. "Even though our relationship is in question, I knew I loved him at one time, and he loved me. We've been married for three years, and after being divorced for six months. In two nights, we still found an attraction between us and chemistry. That’s all I’m going to say, do you understand?" Collin nodded his head slowly, thinking about him and Olivia. "So, you're keeping your options open but not hoping you two get back together. Right?” "Exactly. I’m keeping my options open. If he’s not the right guy. I'll move on." He stared at the table for a moment. "Have you ever considered the possibility that you're just emotional right now after going through the storm and so much this year? And since Holland happened to be there, it’s not mistake
When Regret Isn't Enough 47. Think About Forgiving
"Hi, Deja." The masculine voice said with a hint of reservedness."Hey Collin, how are you?" “I’m okay.” “Thanks for inviting me out to dinner. I know this must be about Olivia, right?” She says, still staring at him strangely."Deja?" Collin calls her name.“Uhm, yes,” “What’s wrong? Why are you staring at me?”“O,h nothing."Ah, where are my manners?" Collin says, quickly standing to pull out a chair."Here, have a seat."Amanza takes a seat, still staring at him. She didn't know if Collin wanted to talk about anything serious with her or if he was just looking for a good time with his friend. But he wouldn't get anything from her that went on between her and Holland if that’s why he asked her for dinner."I ordered you a glass of red wine. Would you prefer white or something else?" "No red is fine. It's usually what I drink," Amanza says, still staring as she raises the glass to her lips. Collin sips his tequila, smiling nervously and showing a hint of curiosity about her behav
When Regret Isn't Enough 46. Heart Exposed
“Deja, I know me. I won’t tolerate no family being involved in my relationships. Girl, you know I’m outspoken. And if he’s anything like his brother, he could keep stepping. I won’t let anybody treat me like I’m less than them. No point intended.”“Trust me, I didn’t take it that way. And Holland was so different at the start of our marriage. But Collin doesn’t have the same issues that Holland has with the family. The family has disowned Collin, and Holland is the beloved older brother. I think they all mistreat Collin because of the dread of stepmother syndrome. I would put my head on a chopping block, and she’d be behind the wedge between Collin, his dad, and Holland. Holland still has his issues, but I think that can be improved with time.” “Wait a minute. Why do you feel that way? Have you been talking to Holland, missy?”Amanza smiles. “I know my ex. He is a made jerk, not a born one. I just have a hunch. Collin is a good guy, and he’s open-minded. Hey Olivia, he said for me to
