A Life Debt Repaid

Chapter 48

John’s deep, melodious voice was apologetic.

“I was too late.”

Cordy shook her head. “You were right on time.”

And everything was just fine.

John’s heart skipped a beat, his gaze tender as he watched Cordy’s tears roll over her cheeks.

He stroked her cheek then and gently wiped her tears.

She flinched slightly and opened her eyes.

Their eyes met, and an attraction seemed to be nourished right then.

She was still looking him straight in the eye even as he leaned closer.

A small spark between adults could certainly burst into flames…

However, as John leveled his lips against Cordy’s soft, moist lips, she turned just as he was about to kiss her, so that he kissed her cheek instead.

opened his eyes, and he stared

sorry,” Cordy said.

A refusal.

slowly straightened and said, “No. I was getting ahead of myself.”

raced once

progressed that far,

she felt guilty for some reason-as if she had let him down.

up, ready to leave, when Cordy suddenly explained,

as she continued, “I was drugged-that time when I was eighteen-and I had sex with a man I didn’t know. My memories were a blur, and my mind was blank when I woke up…

as she continued to hold his gaze. “Ever since then, I would feel both mental and

on her bed,

was in too much of a hurry, and

John heard her

a gut-wrenching sound, and

expression was inscrutable even as he stared in

how long had passed when things started

entered to find her on her knees beside the toilet-she had vomited a lot, even her own bile, but her stomach felt better now.

limp, and she was unable to muster

asked, and there was an edge

Cordy nodded tamely.

in his arms and laid her carefully in