Unspoken Passions Excerpt

“Ella,” he started again, but he still looked confused.

“I get it, Mick.”  She sniffed and wiped a stray tear from her cheek.  “I really get it.  You’re still controlled by the past, by the fact that you made a promise to Dan to protect me.”  She wiped another betraying tear away.  “However, I’m alive.  I’m a living, breathing woman who has needs.  And I’ve been in love with you for…ever!  So if you don’t want me, that’s fine.  I will respect that your need to protect me is all you can feel for me.”  She looked out the window and took in a slow, deep breath.  “But if you have any other feelings for me, then…” she drew in a trembling breath.  “If you feel anything for me other than protectiveness, then I want to…let’s explore that.  Together.”   She stopped and looked directly at him.  “But if you don’t feel that, I’ll leave you alone.  Just…figure it out, okay?  Because you’re sending mixed signals and I need to move on.  I need to get a life.  I would love it if you were a part of that life.  A part of my future.”  She tried to smile, but it was closer to a grimace  “I’ll find a way to get over my feelings for you if you don’t feel the same way.”  She turned but paused with her hand on the doorknob of his front door.  “ I know that I’ve thrown a lot at you.  And that’s not fair.  So just…think about it, okay?” she asked, looking over her shoulder.  “Just let me know how you feel.”

And then she walked out, feeling more foolish with every step.  Ella hated this feeling of humiliation that washed over her as she fled from his house.  But enough was enough.