Midnight (McKenna Chronicles Book 1) (15 page)

A
quick glance at Colin reveals a stoic, detached expression; there's no
indication Joe’s attention toward me is bothersome. His eyes are trained on Joe
as he goes into great detail about the different structural and sustainable
materials protecting the home from further hurricanes, or at least preventing
the same devastation the prior house succumbed to. When they start to analyze
the differences between the components I lose interest completely, my focus
drawn to the windows framing the ocean, lulled by the rolling crash of
white-capped waves colliding rhythmically with the beach.

“Now
over here you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about,” Joe drones on about some
form of waterproof membrane preventing water absorption, walking over to the
windows I’m already fixated on.

With
camera in hand I let them get a head of me while taking a few shots of Joe and
Colin inspecting the building components. Evan and Aiden are listening intently
too, all of the boys interested in their building blocks. Colin looks up as the
flash grabs his attention, shaking his head infinitesimally. His eyes are a
stormy blue. The intensity of his stare has my heart beating a new pattern. I
can’t tell if my interaction with Joe bothered him, his poker face hiding the
truth, but I have the feeling he’s not pleased with me.

Thankfully,
Joe draws Colin’s attention back to him and I become engrossed in my camera,
reviewing recent photos. I flip through those I’ve taken over the last couple
of days chronicling not only the campaign, but my journey as well. Reviewing
picture after picture of Colin's world, I begin with his private plane, the
factory, our recent helicopter ride and the New Jersey shoreline.

Walking
and working is never a good idea. Moving forward to rejoin the conversation I
trip over the length of a two-by-four splayed out on the floor in front of my
feet. Reaching out with my left hand, I try to steady myself to no avail,
flying headfirst. Stumbling forward, I dive into the flirtatious arms of Joe,
my savior. Grabbing my waist to break my fall he holds me close, my breasts
pressed intimately to his chest.

“Whoa,
you okay?” His voice is laced with good humor, yet the tenor of his tone has
changed, provocative and low. Uncomfortable with his proximity, I push against
him for some distance. Before moving an inch, Colin’s hands are around my
waist, hauling me to his side.

“Thank
you, Joe. I think it’s time for us to head out. It’s been a pleasure.” Colin is
convincing to the casual observer, who would never know his temper has peaked.
He moves with me to the makeshift stairs, holding me tightly to his side.
Helping me down, he sarcastically whispers, “Watch your step.” He’s most
definitely displeased.

Grabbing
my hand when we’re on solid ground, apparently uncaring who may see our
connection, he pulls me along quickly. His long legs hold a much wider stride
than mine so I’m practically running behind him. After a moment I yank on his
hand, breathlessly saying, “Colin, slow down, please.”

Swinging
his head back to look at me, his eyes barely soften when they connect with
mine, but his legs take shorter steps. Pressing my hand against his leg, we
assume a more leisurely pace as Evan and Aiden trail behind. When we arrive at
the helicopter, Colin takes me to the back of it, where we can’t be seen. His
eyes are dark, as is his face, a mask of uncertainty clouding his expression.

He
leans down, his arms on either side of my head, backing me up against the cold
metal exterior. “I’m new to this, Charlie. The reactions you elicit are .
. . unfamiliar, and I don’t do well with uncharted territory.” Pressing into
me, strong and powerful, he moves so a whisper of wind can’t find its way
between us. “I do know I won't share you, ever,” he says each word slowly while
wrapping his hand sharply into my hair, holding me steady. My eyes are forced
to remain connected with his. To that end, there’s no chance I would look away;
his intensity is potent and I’m drunk in it. “Hear me when I say this: I don’t
ever want another man’s hands on you—never again. Tell me you understand.”

Surprisingly,
I'm not afraid of the depth of his reaction; in fact, I'm attracted to it. The
clear, evident passion in his voice and his actions are something I've
unknowingly longed to have, to feel within myself. For so long my life has been
void of any true emotion, living to get through the day and into the next. With
Colin, the profound deep-seated emotion is enticing, and it makes me want him
even more. The opportunity to taste any level of this type of intensity
has become a burning necessity.

He
grinds into me, and as soon as I open my mouth to respond, his lips take mine
in a desperately passionate kiss. When his tongue sweeps into my mouth, my
fervor instantly matches his. I moan into him as my hands grip his hair,
pulling, molding myself to the sensuous hard line of his body. His hands are
kneading, touching, roaming over every inch of my back, his mouth continuing
its devastation. God, he tastes good, a provocative, heady wine that
intoxicates my senses.

I
vaguely hear Evan and Aiden, but I don’t care. I grip Colin harder, kissing him
longer, unwilling to let him go. This is what I want; this is what I’ve wanted
since his damn phone interrupted us this morning, his mouth, his body claiming
mine. I’m on fire, every muscle in my body attuned to his, my groin clenching
with delicious need. When the voices grow louder his hold loosens.

“Don’t
stop, please,” I beg into his mouth. Diving into me once more, his tongue slays
me, erasing every thought of the outside world until the passion has left us
breathless and we have to break away if only to live. His forehead presses to
mine as we gasp together, the cold air barely cooling the heat raging between
us.

After
a moment, he cradles my head between his hands, kissing me briefly, a soft
touch connecting our lips. “You’re in my blood, in the air I breathe, Charlie.”
 Pressing his mouth to my forehead, he breathes into me before opening the
door to get me strapped inside the helicopter.

AFTER
DROPPING AIDEN
off, we stop for a quick bite to eat at a local diner. We
have to get back to the airport for Colin to make a dinner engagement in
upstate New York later this afternoon. The Montgomerys are accompanying him to
the event; my mood sours after hearing this information. Ella’s not my favorite
person, and thinking of him spending time with her gnaws at me. I push it to
the side
. One moment, one day at a time
, I repeat to myself.

Once
on the plane we’re quickly asked to strap in as the pilots ready the jet for
takeoff. Ella and John sit with Colin at the table next to my seat, Evan across
from me. I use the time to work on the website, adding information I’ve
gathered and uploading pictures from this morning and a video link to Colin’s
presentation on healthcare reform from the hospital yesterday. I wasn’t able to
see it firsthand because of my emergency room visit, so I take the time to
watch it thoroughly now and remain impressed by his ideas, knowledge and
passion to correct the current system. Colin is a smart man; he’s also very
good at connecting with people when he speaks, drawing them in so they can
understand and buy into his perspective.

It
feels like in the blink of an eye we’re landing and preparing to depart the
plane in Albany. I haven’t spoken to Colin since we boarded, as Ella has
commandeered his attention. He changed at some point during the flight, and
looks beyond gorgeous in a black tuxedo and bowtie, the fit perfect as it
glances and skims over the barely contained muscles of his thighs and broad
chest. Ella hovers around him, picking lint off of his jacket, acting like
they’re together, and my stomach heaves.

All
too quickly he disappears into the car in front of mine, with only a brief
glance in my direction as a farewell. I’m riding with Evan. We talk briefly
about the website; he genuinely appears impressed by the content and mentions
he’d like to review numbers to gauge how well the site is rating with the
public.

Evan
is scheduled for a meeting, so I’m left to my own devices once checked in at
the hotel. After finishing up some work in my room I need a break. Not wanting
to bother Colin at his formal dinner event, I send Evan a text message so
someone knows I’ve decided to do a little exploring. Walking down the street of
the hotel, I casually stroll through some of the more interesting shops before
spotting a local pub and decide dinner here is a better idea than room service.

The
pub has a U-shaped bar in the center of the room with flat-screen televisions
hanging in a similar pattern from the ceiling. Dark wood lines the walls and
deepens the already dimly-lit room. Various posters depicting New York teams’
winning moments contribute to the generic sports theme of the pub. Multiple
games are on, including an early evening hockey game between the New York
Rangers and the Detroit Red Wings: perfect.

I
take a seat at the bar and order a draft beer. There are few patrons as it’s
still early for the evening crowd, so service is quick. At a table against the
far wall is a group of four men in their early twenties. They're loud, jokes
fly and laughter rings out competing with the game commentator’s voice piped in
over the speakers. One of them sways up to the bar across from me to replace
the empty pitchers of beer sitting on their table. He catches my stare and
leers in response, his mouth lifting in a thin smile. Before I can look away he
mouths, "Hey you."

Hair
on my arms bristles and I rip my gaze from his to watch the game, ignoring the
hoots coming from that side of the room. After a few minutes the catcalls
subside and I order a club sandwich then check my e-mails. There's one from my
mom and Ali. I send them both the same response.

To: Ali Carter,
Anne Carter

From: Charlie
Carter                                   

Subject: All
Things to Consider

Dear Mom &
Ali,

I’m doing very
well, no reason to worry. I am

overwhelmed by
the enormity of it all, but in a good way. For the

first few days
this week there are five of us traveling together,

two of which
will not maintain the same schedule as Colin and Evan.

I’m working a
lot with Evan; he’s very nice and I’m

learning so much
from him as it relates to running a solid campaign.

I’ll tell you
more about John and Ella Montgomery at a later

time;
for now, I’ll share they are not the most welcoming.
 Colin is very personable and you will be happy to know, is even better

in real life
than what you have heard about in the news. Please

take into
consideration I have only known him for a few weeks,

but with every
interaction I have with him I’m more impressed

he’ll be an
exceptional candidate. He’s cute too, LOL.

Tell Dad I said
hi and I miss him, Ian and Sammy too. I love you

all and will
call soon, hugs . . . CC

I
hit send and take a sip from my now refreshed beer, looking up when I sense
someone near. It’s the man who addressed me from across the bar. His leer is
back in place, standing close enough that his repulsive beer breath lingers in
the air. The hair on the back of my neck instantly rises as the atmosphere
changes from easy to cautious. Leaning back in my seat I stare, refraining from
engaging in conversation, guarded to his presence. I have a bad feeling about
this.

Breaking
the awkward silence, he slurs, “Hey, wanna come over an’ join us for a drink?”

I’m
surprised he’s standing; his speech and low-slung eyes tell me he’s very drunk.
“I’m meeting my boyfriend in a minute; he’s just running some errands.” I lie,
hopefully convincing him. I’m not sure of my success as he glares at me with
suspicion.

“Well
you’re all by yourself now, pretty lady. Come drink with us; we’ll show you a
good time,” he finishes by barely holding in a belch.

“Not
interested,” I say firmly, turning to face forward in my seat. At that moment
the bartender, who was in the kitchen getting my sandwich, is back, setting a
plate in front of me.

His
menacing glare sends the drunken man to his table. “Everything okay?"

“Fine,
thanks.”

My
appetite has disappeared. I pick through the fries, not interested in eating
any longer. After a few minutes, the table full of men slink out and breath I
didn’t realize I was holding floods from my lungs, an overwhelming relief
sinking through me. I didn’t recognize how uneasy I was until this moment,
anxiety creeping ever so silently, a stalker waiting to incapacitate.

There
is a crushing need to return to the safety of the hotel and to Colin. I know
it’s strange to want the solace of his arms when we have only just begun to
know each other, yet the comfort he provides is all I can think of. Instead of
bolting immediately, I allow time for the men to move away from the bar;
finishing my drink and waiting for dinner to be boxed should do it. After
paying my tab, I head back to the hotel.

As
I walk out the door I wonder if Colin has a late night planned or if he’ll be
in early. Bending into the cold wind I begin walking, daydreaming about him,
what he shared with me this morning, his desire for me, yet only in the
physical sense. His wife and baby, the reaction to Joe touching me . . . he is
complicated.

Lifting
my head into the wind to search for the hotel, I stop; the stores and shops are
unfamiliar. I must have turned the wrong way when exiting the pub.

Turning
around to head in the direction I just came from, I freeze in place. The group
of men is walking toward me. Floating in the cold wind I hear, “Hey, did you
change your mind?”