The End

“This is what sent me running,” Sarah sat at the computer with JC standing behind over her shoulder. She brought up one hate site after another. The last one had a “wanted dead” poster on it.

JC gasped at the venom of the sites. “Jesus, baby, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t know how. And if your fans feel that way—“

“Those aren’t our real fans, Sarah. Those are people in need of some serious help.”

She gave him a wan smile. “Wanna read the emails?”

“You got emails too?” he demanded incredulously.

“Tons.”

“God, I’m so sorry! No wonder you wanted me out of your life. You were being threatened – repeatedly.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “This is cyber stalking.”

“I had to change my email address with the publisher. But they are still getting hate mail for me.”

“How are they handling it?”

“They’ve put an investigator on it. I never knew what it was like to be hated before.” She rubbed her cheek against one of his hands. “But I decided it wasn’t worth losing the only person who has really loved me.”

JC stroked her hair with his free hand. “I didn’t know it was like this. I could have been more understanding.”

“There’s really not a whole lot you could have done.”

“I can post a message on the message boards saying true fans wouldn’t be doing this.”

“Will it help?”

“I hope so,” he sighed. This was not good. It was little wonder she had run away! People actually wanted her dead! “In the mean time, you are not going to be left alone.”

“Oh, pooh!”

“Either you’re at one of our houses, with me, or with a bodyguard.”

“Josh!”

“I mean it, Sarah. I want the really vehement ones found. Tell your publisher I’m willing to foot the bill to get it done.”

“JC—“

He turned her swivel chair to face him and bent down to her eye level. “I’m not losing someone I love either.”

“What makes you think you’re more bullet-proof than I am?”

“I’m not, but a man does what he has to protect the woman he loves.” He grinned, adding, “And I hardly go anywhere these days without a bodyguard.”

“I really complicated your life,” she said softly as she buried her fingers in his soft, wavy hair.

“In a good way, baby.”

She lifted her face for a kiss readily delivered. “Are you very sure of that?”

“Mmm-hmm.” He guided first her arms around his neck, then her legs around his waist, and lifted her against him.

She felt him harden at her closeness. “What is it with you and this position?” she asked, laughing.

“I’ll always be fond of it.” He grinned, backing her against the closest wall. “This was the way we made love the first time.” He moved his lips an inch from hers.

“It wasn’t supposed to be love,” she reminded him.

“But it was. The first time and every time since.”

“And now?” she whispered, moving her lips a breath away from his.

“It’s always love, Sarah.” JC closed the distance for a long, loving kiss.