"Spectacular view, isn't it Mr. Holder?" A woman's voice interrupted his thoughts, the excessive aroma of her perfume making his eyes tear.
"I'll take it.” He laughed to himself, realizing he had forgotten she was showing him the condo until that moment.
"Did you want to make an offer?" Her voice cracked from excitement.
"No. Give them the asking price. Write it up.”
"I already did!" She whipped out a contract.
He whirled around, his eyes fixed on her just long enough to take in her heavily made up, tanned face. Without another word, he snatched the contract from her, skimmed through it, and scribbled his signature.
Gina came out of the bathroom just as the realtor was dashing past, her high heels clicking upon the tiled floor. The heavy perfume scent permeated the air.
"What was that about, papi?" She wrapped her arms around his waist and jerked him to her.
He was lost in thought and didn't bother to respond. This was one investment that Kristen couldn't ignore. It was sure to rekindle their fire. Everything he did was for her, and he couldn’t fathom why she never appreciated it. He had a sudden urge to call her, maybe even fly her down.
Gina wasn't used to rejection. She brushed along his body until she was directly in front of him. In her heels once again, they were almost eye to eye, and she used it to her advantage. Her tongue flicked across his lips, tasting him. With seductive expertise, she slid her hands along his body, then into his pants until they found him. Logan responded with a vengeance, his lips clamping onto hers, his tongue darting deep into her mouth. Without warning, Kristen’s image began disappearing from his mind. This one will do for now. She is just what I need.
KRISTEN/JAKE
For the first time since he'd met her, Jake was uncertain how to proceed. They had gotten over the first hurdle, but the situation still seemed very fragile. Both of them were terrified of getting hurt. It would be a fierce internal battle to prevent himself from overthinking everything and to let it flow naturally.
It crossed his mind that maybe he should just go with his gut, but had no idea where that would take him. As soon as they entered the apartment and looked at each other, he knew his gut was telling him to ravage her. He lifted her off the ground, his hands clasping her head. She let out a scream that was muffled by his lips devouring hers.
This time there was no time to waste. Ripping open her pants, he yanked them down around her ankles while she rushed to pull down her panties. In an instant his own pants were off and he took her against the wall in wild, frenzied thrusts.
All of the angst that clouded his mind could be wiped out by making love to her—he was sure of it. The hell with whatever happened in her past.
Kristen felt like she was alone, floating someplace far away. She heard his moans, felt his throbbing body in frantic rhythm with hers. She writhed with pleasure against him, and screamed in ecstasy when she climaxed. But it was different. She wasn’t fully present, and it was disturbing.
Afterward, they lay panting on the carpet. A few minutes crawled by before Jake reached over to her and placed his hand tenderly on her bare thigh.
She lay back, listening to the splatters of raindrops against the window pane. The room was dark but she couldn’t recall when the dreary night had taken over. Seeking refuge from her incomprehensible distress, she wiggled closer to him, burying her head in the bulging muscles of his chest.
Jake opened his eyes and glanced over at her. His hands made slow circular motions along the small of her back, moving upward until they sank into her tousled hair.
“I'm sorry that I upset you before, baby.” He rolled on his side, his head resting on one of his arms. "I just want to help you, Kris. You know that, right?" He persisted, urged on by the unusual calmness in the air.
"Yes... I know, Jake.” Once again the eagle tattoo on his arm caught her attention, but this time it intrigued her, and she moved her finger along it. After a long pause she continued, "You have to understand, I didn't know you before. Everything was different.”
"I know that. That's just it, it is different. You don't have to put up with that shit anymore—"
She cut him off. "—I know, I know. But, please, I need some time. It's not that easy..." Her voice trailed off as she continued to distract herself with the tattoo.
"I'm not pressuring you.” He sighed deeply, wondering if she was even listening. "Not yet," he added under his breath, but loud enough for her to catch those words.
The words puzzled her, and her fingers fell from his arm as she scrutinized him.
"You think I don't know I can't give you what he can?" A sudden anxious surge of adrenaline forced him to his feet. "I saw how you live. This place is a shit hole next to that. But at least I'm trying. This isn't it... I have plans.” Finally, the suffocating weight he felt on his chest since he'd set foot in her house was lifted.
It surprised her. "I don't care about that, Jake..."
"You know you do, Kristen.” His voice wasn’t more than a faint, pained whisper as he returned to the edge of the bed. Although he tried to, he couldn’t camouflage the tortured look on his face. "I told you about the art gallery. That'll happen, I promise you. Maybe I'll never be as rich as him, but I can take care of you. If that's not enough..." He leaped up again, unable to continue from the emotion choking his voice.
Speechless, Kristen sat up. She knew she had to say something, but wasn't sure what it was. "Jake. Please, it's complicated..." She followed him. "I’m serious about leaving him. It's just... I have things I have to do first!" She clasped his arm with both of her hands, her eyes begging him to understand.
"I just hope you don’t destroy whatever we have while you’re taking care of your issues.” Pulling out of her grasp and moving away, he shot a look back over his shoulder. “Do what you have to, Kristen. I just hope he doesn't kill you before then!"
LOGAN
Logan dressed in a rush, anxious to get out of the condo. Gina was in the bathroom again, combing her hair. How she was capable of spending such an inhuman amount of time in front of a mirror, was beyond him. He was getting jittery and started to pace, continuously checking his cell phone. Remembering that Kristen wasn't at work, his mind went into overdrive. Where the fuck is she? Beginning to grow unbearably hyper, he told Gina he'd meet her at the car and to lock up.
He took the stairs. Seven flights, a piece of cake. He was tall, slim, and athletic. Not overly buff, but just enough tight muscle. Besides, right now he felt like he could fly. On a streak of impulsiveness, he dialed Kristen, nervously tapping the hood of the black BMW i8 rental.
Jake was in the shower when Kristen heard her phone ringing. Since she was waiting for a call from Marty, she rushed to answer without thinking, before Jake returned.
"Hey, why weren't you at work today?" Logan demanded, unable to resist.
She froze, sickened by the undertone in his voice. The rising nausea reminded her that it had been a long time since she felt comfortable speaking to him. Her eyes darted to the bathroom door.