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ALLISON

D id he seriously just say that? Anger hot and bright flares in Allison. How dare he defend the assholes who’ve been keeping her stories out of the papers. The public needs to know so they can watch over their children, protect them better. Russell has three sisters the same age as those who’ve gone missing. He should be all for exposing this atrocity.

“Are you serious?” Allison hates the way her voice goes up with her incredulity. “How would you feel if Leigh, Sadie, or Amber went missing? I don’t think you’d be worried about blowing an investigation.”

“I would want to burn down the world, Allison,” Russell growls out as if one of his sisters were really missing. His voice dropping to a dangerously deep tone. “But if I blew up their case, those responsible for taking my sister might flee, and I would never find her or make those responsible pay for what they’ve done.” Well shit! He would have to make a good point. “Not only that, but you are putting yourself at risk by exposing what you know with your articles.”

“I can take care of myself,” she asserts. “I have been for a long time.” Russell glowers at her. A muscle ticks in his jaw.

“I would scorch the earth for you, too, sugar.” Warmth blooms in her chest. This huge, badass Marine saying he would be upset to the point of destroying things if something happened to her, loosens the bonds she’s had on her heart since she’d broken up with Chad. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

Swallowing a lump in her throat, Allison replies, “I’m always careful.” Russell doesn’t look happy with her answer, but he doesn’t push her any further. She spares a glance at Emma who is watching their exchange with intense interest.

“So,” Emma pauses, “any other interesting stories?” Allison smiles, grateful to Emma for her attempt to change the subject.

“I recently exposed a city councilman for extorting money from small business owners,” Allison says. “He was withholding permits and demanding money for his vote on city ordinances.” Emma’s eyes widen. “Oh, yeah, it was a huge scandal. He goes on trial soon.” Russell makes an animalistic sound. “What?”

Allison turns to see Russell looks really pissed. “Do you ever do a story that doesn’t make you a target for revenge?” Aww, he’s worried about me, so sweet.

“I told you, caveman, I can take care of myself,” Allison murmurs, leaning closer to him and placing her hand on his thigh. “I have Alice, remember?”

“I remember,” Russell tones back, “but Alice can’t save you from every situation, sugar.” His gaze grows intense. “I…I couldn’t stand it if something were to happen to you.” He rears back as if he shocked himself as much as Allison with his confession. Allison swallows hard, that warmth growing and her defenses weakening.

“I’ll be safe. I promise.” Russell studies her for a moment, then nods, relaxing his posture. A waiter places a large slice of strawberry cheesecake in front of her ending their intense stare down. “This looks yummy!” Allison feigns more enthusiasm than she feels, hoping to deter Russell from any more intense declarations that will give her the feels.

The rest of the evening flies by. Russell pulls her out to the dance floor after they finish dessert. He’s bolder this time, pulling her flush against him when a slow song comes on. She loves and hates it at the same time. Her parents are here for goodness sake. Her eyes dart around, but it seems they’ve already left for the night. She releases a sigh of relief.

Things are heating up between her and Russell when Leslie and Gloria rush up to them. Allison is ready to tell them to go to hell if they begin lecturing her about giving the milk away for free, but shockingly they don’t.

“Come on Allison,” Gloria says, almost looking sorry for interrupting their dance. “We’re all going up to Emma’s room for the sleepover. We’ll get up early in the morning and help her get ready for the wedding.” Disappointment floods her. She’d forgotten about them wanting to have a slumber party in Emma’s room tonight.

“Are you sure Emma wants us in her room?” Allison asks, hoping to deter the women. “Where’s Curtis going to sleep?”

“He doesn’t have his own room?” Leslie looks horrified.

“I doubt it,” Allison replies. “They live together. Did you think they’d get separate rooms at a hotel?”

“Lord have mercy!” Leslie mumbles, wringing her hands. “The groom isn’t supposed to see the bride before the wedding. It’s bad luck. He’d have to sleep somewhere else tonight anyway, right?”

“Come on, sugar,” Russell interjects. “Let’s go talk to Emma and Wallace and see what their plans are for the night, okay?” Allison nods and the group heads over to the table where Emma, Curtis, Susie Beth, and Kevin are still seated.

They all look up as the group approaches. “What’s up?” Wallace asks before any of them can speak.

“Um, well, it’s tradition in our family for the women to have a slumber party the night before the wedding,” Gloria informs them. “I, um, we, were coming to see if Emma wants to keep that tradition.”

Emma’s face falls a bit, but she keeps a smile on her face. She glances at Curtis who puts his arm around her shoulders, whispering something into her ear. She nods. Emma turns back to them. “Yeah, we’ll have a slumber party in my room. Give us a little while before you all arrive. Let’s say” —she glances at her watch— “ten-thirty?”

Leslie looks like she’s about to argue. “Ten-thrity is perfect,” Allison jumps in before Leslie can say a word. “I’d like another dance or two. Susie Beth? How about you and Kevin come dance with us?”

Susie Beth looks like a deer in the headlights, but she gets up and allows Kevin to lead her out to the dance floor. An upbeat song is playing. Allison and Susie Beth dance mostly with each other while the guys are hanging on their peripheral.

When the music changes to a slow song, Russell pulls Allison into his arms. Brett Young’s Goodnight Into Good Morning plays as Russell moves her around the dance floor. The song has Allison thinking of all the naughty, fun times she’s had with Russell this week and makes her want more of them. As the last strings play, Russell pulls her toward the door.

They are on each other the second the elevator door closes. He kisses her long and deep, causing her lady parts to moisten in response. Her body craves the pleasure she knows he’ll give her when they can at long last come together. They break apart long enough to walk from the elevator to her room.

She’s barely gotten the door open when a familiar voice calls out. “Allison, honey, is that you?” Allison looks up to see her parents walking down the hall.

“Hey, mom, dad. What are you guys doing up so late?” She’s hoping she doesn’t sound as guilty as she feels at having her parents catch her going into a hotel room with a man.

“We’ve been out for a walk,” her mother answers. “I thought you girls were going to have a slumber party in Emma’s room?”

“They are,” Russell answers for her. “I was just walking Allison to her room so she could get what she needs, then I’m going to escort her to Emma’s room. Be sure she gets there safely, ma’am.” Allison’s mom beams at them with a knowing look, which shocks her to her core. It almost seems her mother wouldn’t mind if Allison were hooking up with Russell, but that can’t be right.

“Thank you, young man, for looking out for our girl,” Mrs. Simpson says. “Allison’s lucky to have you.”

“Mom!” Allison exclaims, wanting to melt into the floor and disappear.

“Go on and get your things, dear,” her mother urges. “Don’t keep the young man waiting. He’s being so considerate.” More flustered than she’s ever been, Allison heads into her room to grab some pajamas, a robe, and her hair and makeup accessories for getting ready in the morning.

When she emerges, her mother and father are still waiting in the hall with Russell. Seriously? What is happening right now?

“We’ll walk with you,” Mr. Simpson says when Allison shoots them a questioning look. “Your mother wanted a moment to speak with Emma before the wedding anyway.” Allison nods. Russell takes her bag from her hand and using his free hand at her lower back guides her down the hall.

When they reach Emma’s room, Mrs. Simpson grabs Allison’s bag from Russell’s hand and gives it to Mr. Simpson. “Come in with me dear and congratulate Emma on her wedding.” Mr. Simpson looks like he wants to protest, but he follows her inside, leaving Allison and Russell alone. The door to Emma’s room is kept open slightly by Allison’s bag. Her father drops it down, presumably to keep it open for her to enter when she’s ready.

“I’m sorry,” Allison says, turning to face Russell. He grins down at her, pulling her a few steps away from the open door.

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry for.” Russell’s deep seductive voice sends a wave of desire over her. He drops his voice to a whisper. “It’s just not meant to be, tonight.” Allison leans into him, needing the reassurance his touch gives her. “Tomorrow night will be a different story. Come hell or high water, I’m fucking you, sugar.” Allison shivers at the promise in his voice.

“Yes, you will,” Allison declares. Rising up on her tiptoes, she presses her lips to his. Their tongues dance like she wants their bodies to be doing. When they break apart, she’s breathless and so hot, she might spontaneously combust.

“Get inside, sugar, before we cause more gossip,” Russell says, giving her another peck on her lips. “Tomorrow night, you and me.” She nods, turning toward the open door.

“Just one more?” Russell’s voice is full of humor. Allison spins, leaping toward him.

“Caveman,” Allison quickly kisses his lips, then darts into Emma’s room.