Unforgettable Encounter

We arrive at the stranger's apartment; a small building located a short distance away from the club. My body floods with a pleasurable warmth that settles between my legs. Every inch of me seems to buzz with excitement, eager to continue what we'd started at the club. This is something new, an impulse I've never be confident enough to act on, and I've never felt more alive. He fumbles with his keys and I shift my weight between my feet, impatient for us to be alone. The door swings open and he takes my hand in his, leading me inside. Before the door has the chance to close, I'm suddenly pressed against it, feeling it slam shut by the force of his body against mine. The cold wood is a welcoming feeling against my sweaty back. He leans down and traces the tip of his nose from the base of my neck up to my ear. Again, the lightness of his touch sends chills through my body. I sharply inhale and a soft moan escapes me.God, I've missed this feeling. The stranger's hands explore my body;

I drop my purse onto my desk and place a full cup of coffee beside my computer. The morning light floods into the room from the window behind my desk, I open it slightly and admire the sun reflecting off of the tall Chicago buildings. With my office being on the twentieth floor I have a great view of the bustling crowd below and also of the highest parts of the city. The small room is painted a light gray color and minimally decorated with pictures of myself and Kate, my family, and my Bachelor's Degree in Social Work framed proudly in the middle of it all. There are still empty spaces on my book shelf where small picture frames had been removed after my break up. Sometimes I feel that empty space taunts me.I ease myself down onto my chair and rest my head in my hands, groaning quietly and regretting the lack of sleep I had gotten. I should have gone to sleep earlier, but I just couldn't help myself. I hear three swift knocks against my office door and it opens. "Are you doin

"Stop... Stop Alex!" I hold my sweater close to my body, frozen in place, unsure of what else to do as I watch him throwing armfuls of clothes into his suitcase. "Can't we just talk?" The warm tears stream down my cheeks. Alex turns to face me and scoffs. His blue eyes are callous as he draws his top lip over his teeth. "Well you already found out about her, what else is there to talk about?" He stumbles toward me, the suffocating stench of alcohol wafting from his breath. "Jesus, you're drunk," I spit at him. "What is wrong with you?" "I don't want you anymore, Kristine. I'm happier with someone else." He pushes past me to retrieve more clothes from the dresser drawers. I stare at him dumbfounded, jaw dropped, desperately searching for words. "What about this!?" I hiss as I hold up my hand, hovering my engagement ring in front of his face. "Does this mean anything to you?" "No, it really doesn't." He hiccups. "I thought if I gave into your bitching about getting married... May

"You're seeing him again? When?" Kate has become more invested in my sex life than I had anticipated. Who else was I supposed to tell about the unexpected, mind blowing sex I was having with an absolute stranger? I feel like most women will turn to their sisters at a time like this. But I am and always will be an only child, so Kate became the sister I always wanted but never had. For twenty years she and I have been glued to the hip. It had all started with a simple promise to each other at age five, on the last day of kindergarten, that we would be sisters since we did not have our own. And so it began, the legacy of Kris and Kate. Through fights on the playground in elementary school, to awkward middle school dances. Through high school, with first kisses and break-ups, to college and the day I had asked her to be my maid of honor. When Alex left me broken and abused, Kate was there to pick up the pieces, she was there to put me back together. And she sure as hell did her best at

I cough again to clear my throat and gently grasp Elliot's lingering hand.This can't be happening."Likewise," I force the word out, giving him a weak smile. "Right, should we get started?" Julia claps her hands together, the sound causes my rigid rigid body to flinch. "Kristine has set out some of our files in front of your seats." She motions to the conference table. Brian sits down opposite Julia; Elliot placed directly across from me. I force myself into my chair, not taking my eyes off of him. I feel my face flush with warmth before settling in my cheeks and I take in short silent breaths. Elliot and Brian remove items from their bags, placing computers down on the table beside their notepads and pens. I watch Elliot's movements, as if it's all happening in slow motion. He's in a navy suit, his muscular arms defined through the sleeves. Under the suit jacket, he's wearing a white collared shirt and patterned tie. Elliot's brown hair is casually slicked along the sides of his