All Chapters of Decisions I made : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

The afternoon slipped by faster than I expected.I had made it nearly halfway through my book before realizing I had spent more time staring at the lake than actually reading the pages.Every few minutes, my mind drifted back to Jack.His smile.The way he looked at me that morning.The message that simply said, Tonight is important to me.I finally closed the book and glanced at the time.4:15 p.m.He had to be done by now.As if on cue, my phone buzzed.I smiled before I even picked it up.Jack: Mission accomplished.Lela: You survived?Jack: Barely.I laughed.Lela: Was it really that bad?Three dots appeared.Then...Jack: The meetings weren't bad.I frowned.Lela: Then what was?His reply came almost immediately.Jack: Being in the same building as you and not getting to spend the afternoon with you.I couldn't help but smile.That man...Lela: You're ridiculous.Jack: Probably.Another message followed.Jack: I'll be upstairs in about twenty minutes.I looked down at myself.My

I tightened my fingers around Jack's hand as we followed the softly lit stone pathway."You've been awfully mysterious today."He smiled without looking at me."So I've been told.""You've also been smiling like you know something I don't.""I do."I laughed."That is incredibly unfair.""I know."The path curved around a beautifully landscaped rooftop garden filled with hydrangeas, roses, and lavender. The sounds of the restaurant slowly faded behind us until all I could hear was the gentle breeze coming off the lake and the distant hum of the city below.The farther we walked, the quieter everything became.Then I saw it.At the far corner of the rooftop sat a small wooden gazebo draped in white lights.Beyond it, an observation deck overlooked the entire city.The skyline sparkled in every direction.Lake Erie stretched into the darkness, reflecting the moonlight like polished glass."Oh, Jack..."He looked at me instead of the view."I was hoping you'd like it.""It's beautiful."

Jack smiled as we slowly pulled apart, his forehead still resting against mine.For a long moment, neither of us spoke.The city sparkled behind us, but somehow it felt like we were the only two people in the world.Finally, he chuckled softly."Can I ask you something?"I looked up at him."Of course.""Why did you kiss me?"I laughed quietly."You really don't know?"He shook his head."I'd rather hear it from you."I slipped my hands into his."I couldn't help it."His eyebrows lifted."No?"I smiled."No."I looked out over the lake for just a second before looking back at him."I've been smiling all day.""You have.""I've laughed more this week than I have in months."He squeezed my hand gently."And?""And..." I took a slow breath. "I'm actually enjoying myself."His expression softened."I don't mean tonight."I smiled."I mean... all of this."I motioned between us."Being with you.""I don't have to think about every word I say.""I don't have to worry about upsetting you."

The sweat was still cooling on my skin, my heart gradually finding its rhythm again. I could feel the sheets bunched up beneath us, damp in places, and the air in the room was thick with the smell of us. Lela was beside me, her breathing a soft, steady sound in the quiet. I turned my head on the pillow to look at her, and that’s when I saw it—a slow, wicked smirk spreading across her lips.She rolled onto her side, propping herself up on one elbow. Her eyes, dark and glittering, roamed over my face. “Jack,” she breathed, her voice a little hoarse, “that was fucking amazing.”Before I could even agree, her hand was on my chest. Her fingers splayed out, combing lazily through the mat of hair there, a sensation that sent a pleasant shiver across my skin. She traced the line of my sternum, her touch light and teasing. I watched her, captivated by the focused look in her eyes, a look I was starting to recognize. It was a look of pure, insatiable hunger. Her hand didn’t stop its downward jo

A soft knock echoed through the suite about twenty minutes later.Lela looked up from the couch as Jack stood and crossed the living room."That has to be room service.""You ordered quickly," she teased."I've learned never to keep a woman waiting for dessert."She laughed."Smart man."Jack opened the door, smiling as the room service attendant wheeled in a beautifully arranged cart covered with silver domes."Good evening, Mr. Sullivan.""Good evening."The attendant lifted each lid one by one.A large bowl of raspberry cheesecake ice cream topped with fresh raspberries and white chocolate curls.Warm chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven.Chocolate-covered strawberries.A small assortment of handmade truffles.Fresh coffee.Sparkling cider.The attendant smiled."Mr. Spitzer asked that these be delivered compliments of the hotel."Jack shook his head, laughing."I swear that man doesn't know the meaning of 'just enough.'"The attendant smiled knowingly."Mr. Spitzer said to t