Excerpt of When I'm With You by LaConnie Taylor-Jones

Caitlyn tightly clutched her small handbag to her
chest. “Thanks again for dinner. It’s been a wonderful
evening.”

Marcel drove Caitlyn back to her apartment after dinner
since she’d taken BART to San Francisco to meet him. Seated
inside his plush, black BMW, Caitlyn glanced over to find
he’d turned his back against the door. From the moment he’d
put the car in park, he hadn’t said a word, but his
penetrating gaze spoke volumes. As far as she was
concerned, he didn’t need to speak because what she saw in
his eyes said it all. She saw unabashed desire and it
burned her to a crisp. She knew if they ever got together,
they would set off a five-alarm blaze.

Caitlyn tore her gaze away and stared out the front
windshield. Fear from the past reared its ugly head. At
this point in her life, she didn’t want to feel an
attraction for any man, and she certainly didn’t want to
feel it this soon for the one sitting next to her. She’d
experienced one disastrous relationship all because she’d
foolishly placed her confidence in someone she thought she
could trust. That error had nearly destroyed her, and it
was one she’d vowed to never make again.

She sucked in a deep breath. “Marcel, I-I don’t think we
should see each other anymore.” The words came out hoarse
and choked, despite her best effort to maintain a rock-
steady tone.

Marcel frowned. “Why?”

“I-I’m not the right person for you to get involved with.”

He shook his head. “You’re wrong on that one, Caitlyn.” He
grabbed her left hand. “Can you honestly sit here and tell
me I’m solo in what I’m feeling?”

It was a long while before she could say anything. She
could no more deny the attraction she felt for Marcel than
not take her next breath. “No, and if I knew how to stop my
emotions right now, I would.”

He lifted her hand to his mouth and placed a gentle kiss on
the back of it. “Tell me what you feel.”

She turned to him, staring with a soft gaze. “When?”

“Right now.” He kissed the inside of her palm. “Tell me
what you’re feeling.”

“When I’m with you, I feel safe…like nothing in the world
can ever hurt me.”

“Then hold on to that.” Releasing her hand, he inched over
and braced his arm along the passenger seat.

Caitlyn glanced over at him. “What do you feel?”

He trailed his finger along her cheek and focused on her
lips. “I feel like I’ll lose my mind if I don’t kiss you.”
Despite the darkness, he tried to search her eyes for
permission. He wouldn’t rush her. She’d been hurt once and
he vowed no one would ever do it again. He waited patiently
for her answer. The moment she looped her arm around his
neck and parted her lips, it was all the acknowledgment he
needed.

The kiss started out gentle, but grew hotter, more urgent,
and she moaned under the assault of his mouth. Marcel
deepened the kiss, and she clutched the lapels of his
jacket as though they were a life preserver that would
protect her against the carnal storm threatening to sweep
her out into the Pacific Ocean.

When they parted, Caitlyn fought to breathe, fought to
control her heart, which was beating as if she’d run a
twenty-mile marathon. With her head bowed, she placed her
hand at the center of her chest. “There’s something you
should know.”

Marcel released a long sigh of satisfaction. “Talk to me.”

“I-I’m …”

Marcel gently lifted her chin and met her gaze. “Come on,
Caitlyn. Talk to me.” He stroked his finger along her
brow. “You can trust me.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes. “He hurt me.”

“What did he do?”

The words lodged in her throat. The pain was still too raw,
the hurt too deep. Caitlyn shook her head, an indication
she wasn’t ready to discuss it.

Marcel nodded his acceptance of her stance. “Listen,
whenever you’re ready, all right?”

With a solemn look, Caitlyn turned her face to hide the
fear in her eyes. “I’ve been running from him for three
years.”

“Is that why you’ve been so reluctant to share information
about yourself?”

“Yes.”

Without uttering another word, Marcel got out and walked
around to the other side of the car. He opened the
passenger door and helped Caitlyn out.

Caitlyn looked up at him. “Marcel, I’ll understand if you
don’t want my baggage at your doorstep.”

He didn’t bother to shut the door and kept his gaze steady
with hers. “When can I see you again?”