The Lawman's Christmas Proposal. Barbara White Daille

I haven’t. They say you never forget your—” first love “—first kiss. But I’ve had other kisses since then.”

      He whistled. “That’s cold, Andi.”

      “That’s the truth.”

      “All of it?”

      She stiffened. “What do you mean?”

      “C’mon, don’t play dumb with me.” His laugh sounded strained. “You kissed me back just now.”

      “Like I had a choice?”

      “We always have choices.” For a moment, his face hardened and his eyes looked bleak.

      “I don’t think so. Not always.” He was remembering their past. Good. She wouldn’t have to lay things out for him. And hopefully, once she had finished here, she would never again have to face a sneak attack on her pitifully weak defenses. “When I left you that summer, it wasn’t my decision. But I am making the choice to walk away now.”