Softly, As I Leave You

By Candy Caine

Ever since Alisha Houston literally runs into Daniel Mason on the ski slope it seems that they are destined to be together. At first, mad at the leggy, dusky- skinned skiing disaster, Daniel is sure he should keep a safe distance from her. But their paths keep crossing and he is puzzled how he can be so annoyed at a woman and still be so attracted to her. And she definitely turns him on.

Alisha is mortified that the one, sexy man she is fascinated with at the ski resort is the one she sends to the hospital! Then one shattering, unexpected kiss launches them into a love affair that brings red-hot passion and deep caring. Until Alisha's estranged father dies, leaving behind a secret that devastates her.

A secret she cannot, and must not share with the man she loves. Even if it means leaving him without warning or explanation. Even if it means breaking his heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Candy Caine
• Release date: Sep 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386691464

Candy Caine

Whether she's writing red-hot interracial erotica or less edgy contemporary romance as Candace Gold, Candy Caine believes in living life to its fullest in Arizona with her best friend and husband, Robert.

Book preview

Softly As I Leave You

Ever since Alisha Houston runs into Daniel Mason on the ski slope it seems that they are destined to be together. At first, mad at the leggy, dusky- skinned skiing disaster, Daniel is sure he should keep a safe distance from her. But their paths keep crossing and he is puzzled how he can be so annoyed at a woman and still be so attracted to her. And she definitely turns him on.

Alisha is mortified that the one, sexy man she is fascinated with at the ski resort is the one she sends to the hospital! Then one shattering, unexpected kiss launches them into a love affair that brings red-hot passion and deep caring. Until Alisha’s estranged father dies, leaving behind a secret that devastates her.

A secret she cannot, and must not share with the man she loves. Even if it means leaving him without warning or explanation. Even if it means breaking his heart.

PRAISE FOR CANDY CAINE

BECAUSE OF YOU

...Engrossing...a page turner... I would recommend this book!

— Romance Novels in Color

FLAVOR OF THE WEEK

Pure light-hearted fun. A really heart-warming read with endearing characters.

— LBAS Book Blog:

I'm not sure I can say enough about this wonderful story. A very enjoyable book.

— Jodie's W.I.N.E. List

FOR YOUR LOVE

...A cast of well-crafted characters you’ll want to cheer for...delightful story...

— Niambi Brown Davis, Author of Sanctuary

A sexy, fabulous read. I couldn’t put it down.

— Bertrice Small, New York Times bestselling author

MORE HEATED PLEASURES

"If you are looking for stories that have love at first, menage a trois and the world of domination, then

Heated Pleasures is the book for you."

— Romance Novels in Color

A roller coaster ride of erotic thrills... Great fun!

— Alice Gaylord, author of The Reluctant Handyman

SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME

"A story about real relationships...the romance between Evie and Dillon is electric. Candy Caine’s

writing is impressive."

— Latrivia S. Nelson, bestselling author of The Ugly Girlfriend

Softly As I Leave You

Candy Caine

Copyright © 2015 Candy Caine. All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, no portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the express written permission of the author.

All names, characters and incidents featured in this publication are imaginary. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead) is coincidental. They are not inspired even distantly by any individual or incident known or unknown to the author.

Author recognizes that all trademarked items mentioned in the book belong to the trademark holders of said items.

Chapter 1

No, Daniel. It’s best this way, Alisha Houston whispered into the phone, hoping to convince

the both of them.

"Yeah, sure, just like last night at the pub. I stood in the rain waiting half the night for you to

show."

I couldn’t bring myself to face you again.

Because you knew you wouldn’t be able to walk away.

Yes. That’s true. Had I been with you, I wouldn’t be able to tell you what needs to be said now.

Why are you doing this? I know you’re still in love with me.

I love you and always will, but we can’t be together any longer.

I don’t understand, Alisha. In fact, nothing you’ve said so far makes any sense. How can you do trash our relationship especially now with Christmas coming in a few days? We would’ve been together for a year.

Stringing you along until after Christmas would’ve been worse. Look, I’ve got to go. Alisha said abruptly ending the call.

Please don’t go, Daniel said but she’d already broken the connection.

Alisha’s throat closed as her tears fell more rapidly. She let them fall as she rolled her suitcase to the boarding platform. The Amtrak train to Vermont would be leaving soon. And she would be beginning a new chapter of her life—without Daniel.

Alisha hadn’t wanted to end their relationship this way. In fact, she had become so despondent over her situation that she briefly considered taking the cowardly way out. All she had to do was swallow a bottle of sleeping pills and just go to sleep. That way, Daniel wouldn’t feel guilty about moving on because there was no chance she’d ever return. However, Alisha didn’t have the heart to do that to him or the will to take her own life. No matter what. She was a nurse, for heaven’s

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CANDY CAINE

sake, sworn to preserve life, not take it—even if the life was her own.

So what choice did she have? In Alisha’s eyes, breaking off with Daniel on the phone was the

quickest way even if it was cowardly.

* * *

Daniel Mason, stared at his cell phone in disbelief. A freelance graphic artist and ITT consultant, his home office suddenly felt claustrophobic. He could hardly breathe. There was no way he’d be able to remain here, let alone, continue working. Quickly, he powered down his computer, grabbed his wallet, coat, and keys and headed for the door of his condo. The wind had picked up and a steady, cold rain was falling. Fitting, he thought, as he ran to his car. Once inside with rain dripping from his hair into his eyes, he was about to start the engine when he realized he had no idea where he was going. He whisked the rain off his forehead.

Of course he felt lost. The rudder of his life and the reason he awoke each morning, Alisha, had just left him. Now, like a rudderless boat, he’d be merely adrift. He needed a drink while he tried to sort out what Alisha had said and make some sense of it. There were a