He kissed down farther, mere inches from my nipple as I closed my eyes. We were standing in the hallway, but at that moment, I didn’t care who may have walked by. “Allie, I understand that you need more time, and I’ll give it to you … all the time you need. But I missed you,” he said, his eyes pleading. “I’ve missed you so much … and I need you. And if it ends up being just for tonight, then I can handle it.” His lips descended upon mine as his hand slid down to my breast. Then, he drew circles with his thumb around my nipple over my dress as he pulled me to his chest. “I know you may not want to hear this now,” he said under my ear as he kissed my throat. Then, he looked in to my eyes, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “But I want you, Allie. Be mine, even if it’s just for the night … please.”
As he begged, tears came to my eyes. If I let him love me for tonight and
LoganWhen I woke that afternoon, I thought I was dreaming at first because Alyssa was still in my bed, safe in my arms. I had dreamt of that moment since I had discovered that she was still alive, but experiencing it filled my soul more than I could imagine. At that moment, I knew that I would never want anyone or anything more in my life than I wanted my Allie.I kissed her gently on the cheek and quietly rose from the bed, not wanting to wake her, and then headed toward the shower, letting the water wash away my doubts; wash away my fear. As the warm water poured over me, I knew that I wanted her to be mine forever and I would do whatever it took to make sure that it happened.After I showered, I turned off the water and wrapped a white towel around my waist, and then walked back into my bedroom. She was still stretched out across my bed, face down, as her sun-streaked blonde hair cascaded over my pillow. A smile appeared on her face as
I let out a deep breath and looked up. “What is it, Mother?”She narrowed her eyes. “What have you been up to?”“What are you talking about?”She slapped her hands on my desk. “You know damn well what I’m talking about!”I shrugged, unfazed. “I haven’t the slightest idea what you are talking about.”“Do not attempt to play coy with me,” she said as she stepped around my desk. “You’ve been with her, haven’t you?”I looked directly into her eyes. “What are you saying, Mother?”“I forbid you to see her!”“Who?” Although I knew exactly whom she meant, but I wanted to hear her say it.“That bitch! Alyssa Case!”I narrowed my eyes at her. “And how is that, Mother, when you told me that she was dead ten years ago?” I leaned close to look directly into her
AlyssaLater that night at the office, I took the note out of my pocket for the hundredth time and ran my fingers over the letters. I was disappointed that Logan wasn’t there when I woke, but finding the note on the pillow told me that it wasn’t over between us. I promised myself then that I would see it through to the, even if it ended in heartbreak. After finishing with my last client, I looked up at the clock. Five o’clock. Quitting time.I gathered my things, slipped into my coat, and then headed out of my office, closing the door behind me.“Leaving on time today?” Lynn asked, her eyebrows rising in surprise.I nodded. “I don’t have any more clients, and I need to rest.”She gave me a knowing smile. “Have a good time!”I laughed as I waved over my shoulder. I took the elevator and walked outside, when I spotted Logan leaning against the side of the buildi
We stood like that in silence, watching the sunset and the Manhattan skyline and bridges, as the lady disappeared into the harbor and the ferry came to rest on Staten Island. We let the other passengers leave first, and then Logan laced his fingers with mine. “Ready to have the best pizza in the world?”I chuckled. “Now, I don’t know about ‘in the world’. It’s going to have to go some to beat Charlie Brown’s Pizza in Zanesville, Ohio.”“Ohio?” he scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding me! We’re talking about New York here!” He made a grand gesture around him. “If that’s all you have to compare it with, then you haven’t had pizza yet!”I shook my head. “I don’t know. Charlie Brown’s Pizza was really good.”He smiled. “Well, we’ll see now, won’t we?” He led me to the street and held u
“Are you happy?” he asked.“Here you go!” The waitress slid a hot plate onto the table and placed the pizza on top. “Would you like another round?” she asked, eyeing our empty glasses.Logan held his up. “Please.”I nodded as I forced a smile. “Me, too.” Then, the delicious smell of rich Italian sauce wafted toward me. “It looks delicious!”“I told you,” he said as he slid a slice of pizza onto a plate and handed it to me. “The best pizza in New York!”“Maybe in New York, but what about Charlie Brown’s Pizza?” I asked as I shook my head. “It’ll have to go some in order to beat that.” One corner of my lips curled into a sly smile. “I mean, how good could Garbage Pizza actually be?”He laughed. “Well, see for yourself.” He took a bite and closed his eyes, savoring the flavor. “What&rs
LoganMy cell phone rang, bringing me back to reality, releasing me from my dream world. I looked at the side table, and the bright light shone in the darkness.“Hello?” I asked, my voice husky from sleep as I held it to my ear.“He needs a decision, and he needs it now.” Serra Gayle, my campaign manager and press secretary’s voice boomed in my ear.“Who?” I managed to say as I swung my legs over the side of the bed and ran a hand through the tangled mess of hair.“Who the hell do you think? Mayor Townsend.” She let out an exasperated breath. “He wants an answer now. Says that we ‘can’t take a chance on losing this seat to the republicans’. And if it’s not you, then he’ll endorse another candidate.”I looked at the clock. Four o’clock. “And this couldn’t wait until morning?”“It is mornin
Off to the side, Serra held her breath as she watched our exchange. Then, she approached without emotion. “They’re ready.”Mayor Townsend looked into my eyes. “Shall we?” It was his silent understanding of what I was telling him. He might have had my ear, but my decisions would ultimately be my own.We walked out together, and cameras started flashing as we stepped in front of the barrage of reporters who quickly descended upon us.“Mayor Townsend, what does it mean that you are endorsing Logan Ambrose for Senator?” one reporter asked as he shoved a microphone to his face.“Mr. Ambrose, are you announcing your decision to run for office?” another reporter asked.But Serra and the mayor’s entourage held them off. “Ladies and gentlemen, please hold your questions until the end.”As Mayor Townsend stepped up to the microphone and raised his arms, his smile never faded as a
In the hallway, the press entourage was gone. There wasn’t a reporter in sight. I took the elevator, and, downstairs, a blonde woman in a rose-colored suit and matching high heels approached. “Mr. Ambrose, do you have a minute? I’m Jessica Sanders with WTNG News.”I stopped and looked into her eyes. I was about to say no, but I nodded reluctantly. “What would you like to know?”“Maybe we can discuss this over a drink?” she asked. Obviously, she had waited for me to come down all day.I shook my head. “No, but if you have something to ask, then shoot.”She nodded, obvious disappointment prominent in her eyes. “Would you mind if I record this?”I let out an exasperated breath. “Make it quick. I have somewhere to go.”She snapped on a hand micro-recorder in her hand. “What hospital were you talking about? The one with the children?”“