LOGINThe ragged sound of their breathing filled the suite, the air heavy and humid with the scent of sex and sweat. Jack’s weight pressed Lela into the mattress, his chest heaving against hers, the frantic thrum of his heartbeat echoing through the contact of their skin. For a long moment, neither moved, the aftershocks of their release still twitching through their muscles. Jack groaned low in his throat, the vibration humming against Lela’s collarbone, and slowly, with the heavy lethargy of total satisfaction, he began to shift.He rolled to the side, his softened cock slipping free of her with a wet, slick sound, dragging a thick trail of his release with it. The cool air of the room rushed in to fill the space between their bodies, but the heat radiating from Lela’s skin was enough to scorch the sheets. Jack flopped onto his back, one arm thrown over his eyes, his chest rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath. He lay sprawled, completely exposed, his skin glistening with a f
The lights of the River Walk flickered against the dark current of the water below, a ribbon of gold and amber reflecting in the glass. Lela stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, the cool pane pressing against her forehead, watching the tourists drift by on the barges. The city hummed with a distant, rhythmic vibration, but inside the hotel suite, the air was still and heavy with anticipation.She felt the warmth of a body behind her before the arms even closed around her waist. Jack stepped into her space, his chest solid and firm against her back, enveloping her in his scent—sandalwood and the faint, sharp tang of whiskey. He didn't speak, just tightened his grip, pulling her flush against him so there was no gap left between their bodies. He pressed his lips to her cheek, a soft, grazing contact that sent a shiver skittering down her spine. His mouth moved lower, finding the sensitive skin of her neck, where the pulse beat frantically beneath the surface.Lela’s breath hitched
Lela was still staring at the ring when they finally made it outside the airport.She held her hand up to the Texas sunlight, turning it from side to side."I still can't believe you did that."Jack laughed."I told you I had been thinking about it.""You didn't tell me you were planning a whole production."He grinned."That was the point."She shook her head."You had soldiers singing at an airport.""Technically, they volunteered.""Did they?"Jack laughed."Some needed convincing.""Lawrence!"A voice came from behind them.Lela turned.One of the soldiers raised his hands."Hey, she knows now!"Everyone laughed.Jack shook his head."Come on."As they walked toward the parking garage, Lela suddenly stopped."Wait."Jack turned."What's wrong?""My dad."Jack's expression changed."What about him?""He knew."Jack smiled."What makes you think that?"Lela narrowed her eyes."The First Class ticket.""The special airline accommodation.""The fact that you were waiting at the gate."
Lela couldn't believe her father.She had known Frank was a little ridiculous when it came to taking care of her.But this?This was something else.Her seat was the very first seat on the plane.She had practically stared at the boarding pass for the entire flight."First Class was one thing," she had muttered to herself."But first seat?"She shook her head."My father has lost his mind."Still...She had to admit it.She was comfortable.Very comfortable.Her injured leg was stretched out comfortably, and she hadn't had to worry about anyone bumping into her knee.She'd even managed to get some sleep during the flight.As the plane began its descent, Lela looked out the window.The Texas landscape slowly came into view.She smiled.After everything that had happened...She was finally here.The pilot's voice came over the intercom."Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We're beginning our final descent into San Antonio. On behalf of the entire crew, welcome to San Antonio, Texas—t
Lela spent most of the afternoon staring at the open suitcase on her bed.She had made three different packing lists.The first was too much.The second wasn't enough.The third somehow contained four pairs of shoes for a trip that was only supposed to last a few days.She sat on the edge of the bed and laughed quietly."What am I doing?"Her knee was still healing, which made packing more complicated.She needed her brace.Her medications.A small ice pack.Comfortable clothes.A few nicer outfits.And, after staring at the suitcase for another minute, she added the dress she had bought months ago and never worn.She wasn't sure why she packed it.Maybe because graduation deserved something special.Maybe because she secretly hoped she and Jack would have a special evening afterward.Or maybe she just wanted to feel like herself again.A knock came at her bedroom door."Come in."Frank stepped inside.He had a grin on his face."What?"Lela immediately became suspicious."What did yo
Jack didn't sleep much that night.He tried.He lay down.Closed his eyes.Turned onto his side.Turned back.Nothing worked.Every time he started drifting off, he heard Lela's voice again."I just had fucking emergency surgery on my knee and you want to do this to me?"He winced."I know..."He whispered into the darkness."I know."He had apologized.He had called.He had texted.But none of it felt like enough.At 2:17 a.m., he finally sat up.He turned on the small lamp beside his bunk.His roommate was asleep.Jack reached into his duffel bag and pulled out a notebook.He stared at the blank page.A text message wasn't enough.A phone call wasn't enough.He needed her to have something she could hold.Something that couldn't be misunderstood.He uncapped his pen.And began writing.Lela,I don't know if you're ready to hear from me yet.Honestly, I wouldn't blame you if you weren't.But I need to tell you something anyway.I'm sorry.Not the quick "I'm sorry" I said on the phone
Friday morning arrived much earlier than I would have liked.My alarm went off at six, and for a few seconds I just lay there staring at the ceiling.The events of the night before slowly came back to me.Dinner with Mom and Dad.The interrogation.The shopping trip I had somehow been volunteered f
Ten years ago, my husband and I started having problems in our marriage. At first, they were the kind of problems that many couples face—arguments about money, stress from everyday life, and disagreements about priorities. We kept telling ourselves that things would get better, that we were just go
"Okay," Dad said as he leaned back in his chair. "Let's talk about this Jack guy."I groaned."Do we have to?""Absolutely."Mom laughed."We definitely have to."I shook my head."There's really not much to tell."Dad pointed at me."Start with what you know."I thought about it for a moment."Wel
Thursday nights were usually predictable. Chris would have another dinner meeting with clients, another networking event, or another reason he couldn't be home. Over the years, I had stopped asking questions. Sometimes the meetings were legitimate, sometimes they weren't, and sometimes I simply did







