"In case you haven't noticed, Rick, he's been a little busy with his international contracts." Which Allison was thrilled to have helped Logan obtain during their DC trip. Logan's success was about to reach the pinnacle he'd spent his career striving to achieve.
"Too busy to ask the mother of his child and love of his life to marry him?"
Allison stopped breathing. Love of his life ? Logan hadn't told her he loved her. Did Rick know something she didn't? Her pulse started racing. Was she ready for the all-in commitment those words entailed?
Her heart and her fears went to war. She knew which side she wanted to win. Maybe with a little more time, her fears would fade and her heart would vanquish the dark cloud of doubt still haunting her.
Allison's email alert dinged. The sound pierced the silence in her office. "There will be plenty of time to figure out the details. In the meantime, I need to get some work done."
Devon sighed. "Okay, but keep me posted on those sexy firemen that arrive at your house. I want the names of the best-looking ones." She licked her lips. "I have a fire that a hot-muscled man can put out for me any day of the week."
"Yeah, yeah." Allison grinned and shooed them away.
As Devon and Rick exited, they continued their amusing debate over the future name of Allison and Logan's baby.
Glowing warmth spread through her, as if an angel had descended from heaven and enfolded her in its majestic wings. She'd never believed her life would become this rich and fulfilling. The path she traveled now was bright and lush, the horizon brimming with beautiful possibilities.
She rested her hand on her abdomen, caressing gently. "Thank you," she whispered to her baby. "You are my precious miracle. You may not know it yet, but I love you with all my heart." Logan and their child were the best things that had ever happened to her.
A ring from her inbox alerted her to another new email. The first one she'd missed was a company-wide announcement from Logan. The contract between Stone Security and the Brazilian government was a go. Logan expressed his appreciation to everyone for their hard work and commitment to excellence. Also, Logan had been contacted by several European nations and more contract negotiations were in the pipeline. He'd keep everyone posted on the success coming their way.
Logan was an amazing boss, an amazing man. Allison was so proud of him as a successful businessman, her lover, the father of her child. She'd never felt such soul-deep happiness. Such genuine contentment. Ever.
She wanted to hang on to the feeling with both hands and never let go.
Glancing at the most recent email, she clicked it open. It came from an address she didn't recognize. It might've been sent from a cell phone.
It read: Your car lights are on. Thought you'd want to know .
Probably one of the security guards. Her car was older. She didn't have the fancy turn-off-by-themselves beacons Logan boasted on his Escalade. She sighed, recalling their argument about her driving separately when they came to work. She'd demanded to keep driving her own car, preserving her independence. It was her small claim to freedom. Besides, Logan had evenings when he needed to stay late. She'd go home and practice cooking, open a bottle of wine for him to let it breathe, looking forward to him walking in the door … and the sexy night in store.
Grabbing her keys, she left her office. She grinned at the memory of how persuasive he could be in the bedroom. She'd arrived late this morning. As usual, Logan had kept her in bed far longer than she'd anticipated. Although, she'd gladly succumb to Logan's sexual whims any and every morning.
When she pushed through the back door to the underground garage, she recoiled at the scent of garbage. She frowned. There were no collection containers in the enclosed area.
Over-sensitivity? As Stephanie mentioned at Thanksgiving, women's hormones and senses were out of control during pregnancy.
Scanning the rows of cars, she almost forgot where she'd parked. Her late arrival relegated her to the farthest spot from the door. It seemed darker than usual down here, she noticed, passing under the burned-out light behind her car. She'd let Logan know right away.
Then it dawned on her. The place was dark for another reason. Her lights weren't on.
"You disappointment me," said a man stepping out of the shadows.
The voice echoed in the unguarded chambers of her soul. She froze.
"You broke your vows, wife ."
Oh, God . She couldn't move, couldn't breathe.
"I warned you not to do that."
A slip of air wheezed from her lungs. "Trevor."
Forcing herself to turn, she didn't dare leave her back to him. He stood several yards away, dressed in black. The brim of his baseball cap cast the top half of his face in shadow, but nothing muted the razor-sharp glint in his dark eyes. Those malevolent orbs had haunted her through countless nightmares. He hadn't changed.