Page 48 of Allison

Obviously last night didn’t mean that much to her since she left without waking him to say good-bye, but…she did leave him a note and her number. Maybe she really does want to keep in touch with him.

After a few mental back and forths, he adds her to his contacts. His fingers hesitate over his next move. He quickly types out a message and hits send before he can talk himself out of it.

Hey this is Russell. I had a great time, too, until I woke up alone. :( Have a safe trip home. Call me when you get there.

He waits to see it’s been delivered. When it doesn’t say it’s been read and there aren’t any dots indicating she’s answering, he pockets his phone. He leaves Allison’s room to head to his. He is undressing to get in the shower when he hears a ping. He grabs his phone to see a reply from Allison.

Almost to the airport, I’ll text you when I get there

Worm can’t keep the smile off his face. He shouldn’t be this happy about receiving a text from a woman he’s only known a few days, but he is. He really, really is, and he isn’t going to hide from his feelings. He gets in the shower, feeling great and looking forward to hearing from Allison.

32

ALLISON

Allison’s phone pings just as the vehicle she’s driving nears the outskirts of Nashville. It’s a text from Russell telling her he had a great time and wants to talk to her again.Warmth floods Allison when she sees the text. She quickly adds his contact information into her phone, then sends a reply.

By the time she reaches the airport her face is hurting from how big she’s smiling. It seems to take forever to get through security despite the early hour. At long last, she gets through the TSA check and reaches the waiting area for her gait. She pulls out her phone and sends Russell a text.

Made it to the airport. U busy?

Nope, just got out of the shower

Allison’s mouth waters just thinking about his deliciously naked body glistening with beads of water. A shiver runs through her, warmth settling in her belly while moisture begins pooling between her legs. She fans herself briefly before pressing her phone to call him. He answers on the first ring.

“Hey, sugar,” Russell answers. His voice igniting more desire in her. “I sure was disappointed this morning.”

“I’m sorry. You looked so peaceful that I didn’t want to wake you,” Allison informs him. “I’ve gotten a lead on my story. I have to check it out. This could be the big break I’ve been looking for.”

“You aren’t going to do anything dangerous are you?” His tone conveys punishment if she’s even contemplating such a thing, which turns her on even more but she doesn’t want to admit it.

“I will do what needs to be done,” Allison sasses but turns serious. “I honestly don’t think this meeting will be dangerous, Russell, but I will be cautious.” He grunts out his frustration but doesn’t argue with her. “What are your plans for the day?” She’s hoping he’ll take the bait and let her change the topic.

“We have brunch at ten, then we’ll be checking out to head back to Jacksonville, so on the road the rest of the day,” he replies. “Nothing exciting like you’ll be doing.” Allison shakes her head with a mini eye roll. He couldn’t resist getting in a dig at her hazardous activities.

“Hey, I promise I’ll be careful,” she says softly, hoping to assure him.

“I know you will, sugar. I have full confidence in you, but it’s the other people I don’t trust.” Allison’s heart melts a little more.Lord, this man is getting to her!She can’t help wondering what it would be like to have him in her life on a permanent basis.

“Flight 698 is now boarding at gate C6,” comes over the intercom. “Oh, they just announced my flight,” Allison says.

“Have good flight,” Russell says in his deep, rumbly voice. “Hopefully no mean four-year-old’s on this trip.” Allison smiles huge.He remembered!That means so much to her. He listened, paid attention to her, even when he’d hardly known her. “Be safe, sugar.”

“I will,” she gushes, high on the warm feelings he has stoked in her. “I’ll call you later and let you know how things went with the meeting.”

“Yes, please do. I’ll be looking forward to your call.” Another wave of affection hits her. She needs to be careful or she’s going to fall head over heels for this guy.

“Of course you will, talking to me is an amazing experience,” Allison says with a haughty tone to dampen her reaction to him. Russell’s deep laugh comes over the line.

“Everything with you is an amazing experience,” Russell says. His deep voice full of innuendo. “Hands down, best I’ve ever had, sugar.” Allison gasps at his declaration. She’d thought the same thing, but her experience has been limited in the sex department. She figures Russell has had many women before her, which she doesn’t want to think about. She can’t believe he’d say such a thing.

“No need to flatter me, caveman.” Allison chuckles, attempting to lighten the serious turn in the conversation. “I already let you have your way with me multiple times, and it isn’t like we are going to get the chance for a repeat.” A sharp pain of disappointment runs through her.She’s never going to see him again?

“Oh, there will be a repeat, sugar,” Russell assures her. “Even if I have to fly out there for it to happen. I know long distance won’t be easy, so I can’t promise you more than friendship and really great sex, but I don’t want whatever we have to be over.”

There’s a long pause. Allison stands there in shock watching other passengers head toward the gate while soaking in his words. “Do you?” His voice, full of concern, startles her out of her stupor.

“No, I don’t want it to be over either, Russell,” she answers honestly. “So, we are friends with benefits then?” she infuses some humor into her tone to let him know she’s teasing.

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