Page 38 of A Pawn for Malice
“I’m happy to be the reason for putting sucha joyous smile on that gorgeous face of yours.”
She punched him playfully in theshoulder.
“I bet you say that to all the girls.”
He raised his right hand, and placed his openpalm against her cheek, holding her face for a brief pause andreplied honestly. “I adore only you.”
Jessica couldn’t help, but sigh deeply. Itwas juvenile, yes, but she just couldn’t hold back how wonderfulthis man made her feel.
He pushed himself off the car and placed atender kiss upon her nose, as he leaned over to open her door.
Jessica ducked her head, noticing a cooler onthe back seat, and sat down quickly.
Bryan closed her door, before she had thechance to question, what he was up to.
“It’s a surprise,” he explained right away,“and no, I know that look. No questions. You’ll just have to waitand see.”
Jessica stuck out her tongue, making himchuckle heartily, as he turned on a great soft rock station, andplacing the car in drive.
Once she got her bearings, Jessica wascertain where Bryan was taking her. There was a popular, scenic,picnic spot, known as the “Overlook”, where you could see theEmpire State Plaza in the distance, along with the entire city. Theaccent lighting on the Plaza at night was rather attractive, andthe city, even looked better at night. It was a very popular spot,especially during the special holidays, when all the fireworkscolored the sky.
“Oh, my god! The last time I was here, waswhen Jimmy Callahan thought he could get some action after ourJunior Prom.” She looked at him and cut him off, before he couldreact. “And no,” she added quickly, “he never made it to secondbase.”
“Second, hah? Hmm.”
She gave him that look, that plainly read,‘Not a chance, buster.”
Not that she didn’t want to see this mannaked at some point in the very near future. God, just the thoughtof it had her insides shaking like a volcano nearing eruption. Thegrowing passion between them was undeniable. The last thing shewanted though, was letting sex muddle her brain. She wanted todevelop a lasting and binding connection with this man, and theywere well on their way to doing just that.
Bryan walked to the back of his car andpopped the trunk, responding, “Those green eyes of yours are veryexpressive, you know that?”
She followed him, noticing a small stack offirewood, and reached in for the remaining three logs he wasn’tcarrying.
“I’ve been told that, yes, many times.” Shefollowed him to where a fire pit, had been dug out of the ground.He took the logs from her arms. “This was such a great idea, Bryan.I got a feeling we’re making our own sundaes, right?”
“You got it. I brought along a jacket for usboth, in case we get a little chilly. There’s a blanket in thetrunk. Mind getting it, while I grab the cooler in thebackseat?”
Jessica nodded and did just that.
In a matter of minutes, Bryan had a nice fireburning next to the blanket they had spread out, overlooking theview. It was a glorious fall night. There wasn’t a cloud hiding noteven one of the thousands of stars twinkling overhead. He hadn’tforgotten a thing, as he emptied the cooler of its contents. Therewas also a small wicker carrier, containing a chilled bottle ofRiesling and two plastic wine glasses. Since, he wasn’t certainwhat flavor of ice cream she preferred, he had a half-gallon ofvanilla, strawberry, and chocolate along with all the toppings theyneeded, including whipped cream, nuts, cherries, hot fudge,caramel, marshmallow, and of course, colorful sprinkles.
It was glorious, and yummy, and romantic, andentertaining, and the dates of all dates ever. When Richard cameinto her life, they always dined at the most expensive restaurantsaccompanied by another couple, but never alone. They attendedlavish galas, where they could be seen, and hob-knobbing with therich and famous. Not once, were they ever alone. She was always inthe presence of others.
With Bryan, it was different. She got to knowthe man, his most inner thoughts, his hopes and dreams. This momentwas a topper. And the best of all, was the kisses betweenspoonful’s … kisses dabbled with whipped cream, or smudges of hotfudge. They shared in quick ones, in between conversation ones, andthe ones she loved and craved more of were the long, melting,steamy ones, that pulled her deeper and deeper into a world ofheated passion.
She let him get to second base, and really,really, close to third.
He made sure, that the night air, did notchill her exposed skin, not even once.
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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The public hearing room was packed with everytv. crew from the entire capital district region. Equipment was setat every available spot, and stood in ready for Bryan’s publicaddress to the state.
The press conference was open to the publicas well. Representatives from community groups, clergy, and thepublic in all denominations filled the one-thousand seats of theauditorium in record time. Banners and signs were waving withsentiments in large, bold letters that read ‘D.P. FOREVER,‘PUNISHMENT FOR THE UNJUST’. ‘FRY THOSE WHO KILL’, ‘NEW YORK WANTSTHE DEATH PENALTY.’
Anyone uncertain, as to the reason for thegathering, would most probably think a demonstration was inprogress. There was a low din of chants, that could be heard. Thesuspense and excitement climbed, as members themselves, began tomill in from the closely-guarded private entrance to the right sideof the room.
