Norman watched as Sasha kissed Logan's cheek, wrapping him up in his new jacket. Each time they brought him back to the foster home, the harder it was to leave him behind.There had been a snag with the adoption, but Shannon was dealing with it.There had to be an assessment done on Logan to make sure he wanted to live with them.Their backgrounds had come back fine, and Shannon assured him it was just down to paperwork. One department needing to talk to another, and rather than phone calls, they had to do it in paper. He was used to problems like this.Logan threw his arms around Sasha, holding her close.She was so beautiful, and she took his breath away. They had been together for a little over a month now. A month of being married, and he loved her ever more.Shannon nodded at him, taking hold of Logan's hand as Sasha came back to him."I hate this. I hate leaving him.""We'll have him soon. I've already got my lawyers working on speeding up the process." He handed her some leafle
Two weeks after purchasing the house, they had Logan officially adopted. Norman took as much time away from the office as he could. Sasha went to the office between school hours, completing his work for him. He didn't want her to hire anyone else. Another two weeks after they had Logan, their house was available, and they moved in on that weekend. Her parents came to help as much as they could.They looked after Logan while she and Norman organized movers. They had her mother's slow-cooked pulled pork for dinner rather than have takeout.For an entire weekend, they got the house exactly as they wanted, starting with the bedrooms, and bathroom. Time seemed to move quickly but smoothly where life just played out.Logan came out of his shell, and completely animated their lives. She loved him like he was her own son. He talked constantly about what he loved, which bands he enjoyed listening to. It was fun getting to find out what food he liked as well. He didn't like broccoli, which was
The weeks passed, and after confirmation from the doctor, they set to work decorating one of the rooms into a nursery. They went for neutral colors and gave Logan free rein to help them decorate. He had an artistic eye, and Norman loved seeing the boy come out of his shell. During the decorating of the nursery, it sank in that he was going to have a baby.They were going to have a tiny little life in their hands. It wasn't about being a father, or for Sasha a mother, as they already felt that way for Logan. He'd spoken with Sasha about it, and she had the same thoughts and fears as he did.Norman knew he hadn't made a mistake with Sasha. Not only did he love her, but she was a fantastic mom, and she knew exactly what to say and do to help Logan along the way. Therewere moments, late at night, where he'd still have nightmares.She never once shouted at him. Instead, she'd nurture him, and love him.Once the nursery was complete, they went shopping, letting Logan pick some of the stuff
"Heartiest Congratulations, Shawn."The woman in front of me smiles from ear to ear, her thin, scarlet lips the same shade as the nails pressed against her glass of champagne.Sabrina Roth. Olympic figure skater turned CEO of a global cosmetics company. Younger sister of the Governor of Connecticut. Divorced.It's funny. I was told this party was only for family and stockholders, and she isn't either one — at least, not the last time I checked. Yet here she is.Someone sneaked her name onto the guest list, and I know exactly who."Thank you," I answer politely.Regardless of whether or not I was expecting to see her, she's a guest of the Colbys now. And we always treat our guests well.She touches my arm. "So how does it feel to finally be the man running the show? I bet it must feel good to be free of Daddy's shadow,"If only that were true."He's still on the board so he'll still have a say in things," I reply as I glance at the man with the salt and pepper hair chatting with a coup
"That's unfair," Ryker speaks up without taking his eyes off his phone. "Parents shouldn't tell their children what to do with their lives. They should just give them the best chance to live their lives."Words of wisdom from my baby brother. Of course, he's not a baby anymore — he's nearly as tall as I am - but a part of me will always see him as that teeny human in diapers and blue socks that Mom brought home from the hospital when I was six."Also..." He puts his phone away. "It's just wrong to marry a woman because you hope she'll give you a child to carry your family name. You're not Henry VIII. Marriage should be about love, or at least mutual respect and trust. And sex should be something you do not just for fleeting pleasure or procreation but because you want to connect more deeply with someone."Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself."Wow." Even Asher looks impressed. "Is that why you haven't done it with anyone, little brother?"He picks up his refilled glass and g
"Well," Dad drawls as he consults his watch. "I've got some important guests to see so I'll leave her in your hands now." He pats my back before walking away.I notice Felicity's eyes following his back like she's wishing he hadn't left us alone. Again, she fidgets with her sleeve."Would you like a drink?" I ask her. Maybe a drink will help her loosen up."No, thank you," Felicity answers. "I still have work to do after this.""What work if I may ask?""Stuff to read. Files to organize. I also have to unpack my stuff. I've just moved in from New York.""Really? Well, I think you'll love it here in Chicago."Felicity nods. "I do like it already.""What do you love to eat?" I ask her.She touches the nape of her neck. "I like Asian food just like you. Thai. Vietnamese.""Good. I'll give you a list of my favorite restaurants.""Um, I actually have it already. Cindy, your old assistant, gave it to me."Of course she did. I suddenly wonder why Dad didn't just promote Cindy. She must be pi
Two years later."You've got to be kidding me," I groan after I turn the page of the book I'm reading to find the next one blank except for the words To be continued...For a moment, I just stare at the paper with eyes and mouth wide, part of me hoping that more words will magically appear like the details of a Polaroid picture exposed to light and air. When they don't, I accept my defeat with a sigh. I close the book and hug it to my chest as I sink into the heap of pillows on my bed.I can't believe the author ended the book just like that, with the revelation of a shocking secret that I never saw coming, and which now changes everything. I don't even know how the main characters are going to end up together now, and I'll be heartbroken if they don't. It's just so mean. And yet, I have to admit it's also pure genius. It's just like when you're watching a movie, and you hate the villain but then you're also in awe of the actor because he played his role so well and made you hate him
I stop writing as heat flows from my fingertips to my toes, turning into an ache as it fills my breasts and then an inch as it settles between my legs. I can't ignore it.I put my pen and my journal down. Then I close my eyes and lie back.I lift the hem of my oversize shirt all the way to my armpits. I trap it between my teeth before pushing the waistband of my underwear down to my knees.I raise my knees and slip my hand between my legs. My fingers search for my nub and find it in seconds. As I stroke it, I touch my breast with my other hand. I pinch the nipple gently, then start to rub it.My hands in place, I let my imagination wander. I've never had sex before. Never had time for romance except for the one I had in high school which, thankfully, didn't get physical, because that guy was a jerk. So, I simply conjure the sex acts from the memories of the books I've read, pretending I'm the heroine.I think about the book I just read, about that scene in the orchard. I pretend I'm l