"Now there was nothing holding me back. I kissed her deeply, passionately. Kissed her for every time I'd wanted to and couldn't. For every time I'd stared at her with longing in my heart, wishing we could be where we were now."

It's never too late.

Loving a woman you can't have isn't easy. Ben Gaines knows this all too well. He endured the slow torture of watching Shannon Miles live a life with another man-a man who didn't deserve her-but he doesn't regret a minute of it. And he has his reasons.

Now, she's free. No longer shackled to a loveless marriage, bound to someone who was unfaithful and heartless.

But Shannon thinks her time has passed. That she won't get another chance at love, especially with Ben. The man who's been there to see it all. Her mistakes. Her hurt. Her heartache.

If only she knew. Ben loves her with everything he is, and he wants nothing more in life than to spend every moment with her. After all, he's waited a long time for his chance.

It's time for their happily ever after.

Author's note: A sexy silver fox who's waited half his life for the woman he loves. A peek into the past. And the happily ever after you've been waiting for. Finally.