Ryan hated hospitals. They were so cold. This one was no different. There just never seemed to be any color or any life to these places. How did doctors expect for patients to get better in this environment. The antiseptic smell didn’t quite cover up the sick smell. Every direction you turned was white. White walls, white floors, white sheets, white uniforms everything was just WHITE. He needed to donate his blood and get the hell out before he suffocated. He’d called earlier to get information on where he needed to go and what he needed to do as a donor. So, when Ryan stepped up to the nurse’s station he knew he needed to ask for Angel’s doctor. “Excuse me? I’m Mr. Ryan Lee. I’m looking for Dr. Daniel Franks. I’m here on behalf of Angel Martin.”
The nurse who Ryan spoke to looked down at her paperwork and typed something into her computer. Everyone was aware of the Angel Martin case. The whole hospital was hoping and praying that a match was found soon. Her chances of survival were really starting to look bleak. So many people had come to get tested on behalf of the little girl and so far no match had been found. “Here you are Mr. Lee. I see you in the system now. However, there are still a couple of forms we’ll need for you to complete.”
The nurse handed Ryan a clip board with the documents and a pen so that he could complete the forms. “I’ll let Mr. Franks know that you are here. Hopefully, you’ll be the match that Angel needs. That poor little girl has been through so much today.”
Ryan smiled before accepting the documents and headed over to the seating area to fill them out. While he was completing the remaining paperwork, he was oblivious to the reporter who had quietly walked into the area.
The reporter walked over to the nurse’s station, “Hello, I’m hoping you can help me. Can you tell me where Jason Rutherford’s press conference is going to be held?”
“Oh, yes I can. It’s going to be in the Governor’s room. Unfortunately, you can’t reach it from here. You’ll need to go back out those doors drive down to the main entrance. Once you go inside it’s the second room on your right. You can’t miss it.”
The reporter winked at her making the nurse blush “Thanks.”
As the reporter turned to walk out of the room he was surprised to see Senator Ryan Carter in the sitting area. He turned back around to ask the nurse about him.
“I’m sorry is that gentleman over there Senator Ryan Carter?” The reporter then pointed in the direction of Ryan. Ryan was so engrossed in completing his paperwork that he was oblivious to the scrutiny.
The nurse had to stand up and practically strain her neck as she looked over her station to see who the reporter was referring to.
“Oh no, I’m sorry that gentleman over there is Ryan Lee. Not Ryan Carter.” Soon after she answered his question her phone rang and the nurse’s attention shifted back to her work.
The reporter was pretty confident that that was Senator Ryan Carter. He decided to walk over and get a closer look. He pretended to want a drink of water from the fountain as it was just a couple of feet from the man. While bending over, pretending to drink from the fountain, he looked over and was able to confirm that the man he saw was indeed Senator Ryan Carter. He smelled a story. First, why was he here and secondly, why was he using an alias? Was it a coincidence that two of Minnesota’s most powerful men were here in the same hospital in Atlanta? Oh yeah, there was a story here and he was determined to find out just what it could be.
Chapter 21
Sandy finally made it to her room. She’d left Franklin downstairs in the lobby after they’d checked into the hotel with a promise to meet back up at five o’clock. She needed to get to her room and decompress. Between the dire reality of Angel’s situation and her confusing feelings toward Franklin, she just needed a moment to herself. Sandy dropped her bags onto the floor, right next to the door, then went over and plopped onto the bed. After she’d kicked off her shoes, she lay back, and stared at the ceiling before closing her eyes. The moment she closed her eyes images of the kiss she’d shared with Franklin surfaced. Sandy couldn’t believe how that kiss with him made her feel. Although it was brief, the kiss sent a volt that sliced through her entire body. His lips had barely touched hers but when he tightened his hold on her, her entire body went up in flames. She had to admit to herself that she was very attracted to him. She knew she needed to get control because the man was engaged. Sandy was a lot of things but she’d never knowingly date someone who she knew was in a committed relationship.
She only had a couple of hours before it was time to meet Franklin in the lobby so she needed to pull it together. She was going to try and grab a shower and maybe even a quick nap before they headed back over to the hospital. As Sandy rose from the bed her cell phone rang. She ran over to the table where she’d thrown it when she walked into the room and grabbed it. After looking at the caller i.d. she saw that it was Joshua.
“Hello.”
“Hey beautiful” Of course Joshua sounded as sexy as ever. The sound of his voice just didn’t create the typical excitement in her as it usually did.
Sandy sighed and closed her eyes. If nothing else, this ordeal was starting to put things into perspective. Life was too short to spend it playing games.
“Hello Joshua.”
“You don’t sound excited to hear from me. I’ve been texting you all day.”
“I’ve been pretty busy and I just haven’t had time to text you back.”
“Well, I heard you left work early today with Mr. Roth. What’s up with that?”
“So, is that why you called me to ask about Franklin?”
“Franklin? So, you’re on a first name basis with him now?”
Sandy was so frustrated she could scream. Had she really wasted all this time on Joshua?
“What I call Franklin is really none of your business now is it? So, if that is all you called me for….”
“Wait, don’t hang up. Actually that is not the reason for my call. I’m just a little frustrated and I…miss you. Let me start over. Can we do that? Let me take you to dinner tonight. I’ve made a reservation for La Belle Vie. I know it’s one of your favorites.”
What was it with men? She’d tried to get Joshua to take her anyplace over the last couple of years to no avail. Now that he thinks someone else is interested, now he wants to wine and dine her.
“Joshua, I can’t make it tonight. I’ve got other plans.”
Joshua wasn’t used to being turned down. He didn’t know what game she was playing but it was pissing him off “What plans? Are they with Franklin?”
“Joshua what is it? Why do you keep asking me about Franklin? What if my plans were with him? YOU decided you didn’t want to be in a committed relationship remember? YOU decided we should just enjoy our time together when we were together and not ask questions we didn’t really want answers to when we weren’t. You can’t have it both ways.”
“Well, well, well, so you are going for the upgrade. But, the CFO? Do you honestly think a man like him would be interested in a lowly customer service manager like you? You’d never fit in that elite women’s circle no matter how many designer outfits you wear.”
“Are you serious right now? You know you’re being a bastard right? I can’t believe I allowed you to breathe the same air as me. I am not a girl Joshua. I am a full grown woman and those mind games you’re trying to play, won’t work. There is nothing you could say to me that would ever break my spirit and make me think less of myself. I’m proud of who I am and what I do. You on the other hand, are just a scared little boy who hides behind having multiple women to make you temporarily feel better about yourself. Well guess what, I’m done. You might want to hire a therapist for that.” Sandy almost broke her phone hanging up on him.
She was so angry she was shaking with rage. Where the hell was the mini bar when you needed one? Over to her left, right next to the t.v. was salvation; the mini-bar. Oh yes, there was going to be a slight change of plans. Sandy was going to have a drink, maybe even two, and then take a shower.
However, if Franklin were honest with himself he’d admit that he really did enjoy that kiss. That’s why it bothered him so much. For just a brief moment she made him forget everything else that was going on around him. It was nice to forget for a while and just feel. It had been a long time since he’d been in that space and not walking on egg shells wondering if this or that was the right thing to do.
Franklin took a look at his watch and noted the time. He finished his drink and decided Sandy was off limits. Now that that was settled in his mind, he’d better get to his room and check in with the office before they had to head back to the hospital. Although, he was still a little wound up he felt a little better for the clarity and focus.
The ride up to his room was quick. However, when he got off of the elevator and walked toward his room he noticed that Sandy’s room was right next to his. As if he was on auto-pilot, Franklin found himself knocking on her door.
A second or two passed before Franklin heard her voice “Who is it?”
“Franklin.”
Sandy had just hopped out of the shower. Her body was still wet and wrapped in a towel. She searched for her robe but couldn’t find it. “Just a minute.” The least she could do was make sure her body was completely covered by the towel.
She slowly opened the door trying to stand just behind it to hide her body from his view. Sandy started to get a little anxious. Had something changed with Angel? “Hey is everything ok? Did you get a call from the hospital?”
Franklin couldn’t think straight. Sandy was standing behind the door with those deep sea blue eyes looking directly at him. She’d obviously just gotten out of the shower because her hair was still damp and hanging loosely around her face. The skin that the towel left exposed still dripped with droplets of water. She didn’t have any trace of makeup on and yet she was still stunning. He felt himself instantly harden.
“Franklin? Are you okay? Is Angel ok?”
Hearing Angel’s name brought him out of his daze. “Yes. I’m sorry. I just wanted to stop by and make sure you were settled in and apologize again for what happened in the car today.”
Sandy relaxed a little now that she knew his visit wasn’t about Angel. He had that look in his eyes again the one he’d had earlier where he just looked so lost and lonely.
“I’m settled in just fine and please…don’t apologize again. It’s fine.” She made the mistake of reaching out and touching his arm as she tried to convince him that she was ok. Sandy felt his muscles bunch underneath her touch. She quickly pulled her hand back but she saw the desire in his eyes as she was sure he’d seen the desire in hers. They both just stood there drowning in each other’s eyes. Slowly, the door started to open. Sandy wasn’t sure if she opened the door of if Franklin pushed it open but the next thing she knew she was in his arms. Somehow he managed to close the door behind them and push her up against it. Everything happened so fast but also in slow motion. Franklin pulled her so close that she could feel his hardness through her towel.
He kissed her with so much pent up passion that Sandy felt almost helpless to stop it. When he thrust his tongue into the cavern of her mouth she opened like a flower for him. After she put her arms around his neck it was as if she’d given him permission to love her. She felt like she was on fire. His kisses were incredible. Franklin stopped kissing her long enough to drink the moisture from the side of her neck. Her towel fell to the floor. She was standing there completely naked. He positioned her body so that his manhood was pressed directly into her sex. He could feel her heat through his slacks. That made him even harder. His hands made their way to her breasts as he continued to lick every drop of water from her neck. A moan escaped her lips.
“God you taste so good. You feel so good.”
Hearing his voice started to bring Sandy back from her sexual haze. “Wait…wait”
Franklin froze. Did she not want him? Was he reading her body wrong?
Sandy could barely speak but she managed to croak it out “We can’t. You have a fiancé.”
He was confused for a moment. Did he never tell her that April was his ex?
“I don’t have a fiancé…anymore.”
Sandy looked at him skeptically, “Isn’t that a little convenient?”
“I can see how you would think that but April and I broke up a couple of months ago.”
Sandy looked deeply into his eyes to see if she could see the truth there.
Franklin didn’t breathe while she made up in her mind if she would let him make love to her or not. Finally, Sandy lifted her leg and wrapped it around his waist as she pulled him by his tie towards her lips for another kiss.
She whispered to him “It’s not fair that I’m the only one naked. You have to fix that.”
Franklin swallowed her tongue whole as he began to take off his clothes. The tie went first, then the shirt. Sandy could tell that he had a nice body but nothing prepared her for all the muscles underneath. Her hands couldn’t explore his body fast enough. She pressed her body into his hardness. This time it was his voice she heard groan especially when she unzipped his slacks and grabbed a hold of his manhood. It was an odd mix of velvety softness wrapped around thick, long, and hard steel. Finally, Franklin’s slacks slid to the floor. When he stepped out of them he was completely naked. She gripped him tightly and the friction from moving his manhood as if he was nestled inside her body was making him crazy. If he didn’t stop her soon he’d spill all over her hands. He put his hands under her other leg so that she would have both legs wrapped around his waist. This forced Sandy to release him. Then he positioned her so that her slit was sitting on top of him. Her juices were dripping down onto him.
Sandy wasn’t the only one doing the exploring. Franklin’s lips slid down to kiss her nipples as his hands moved back up to kneaded them. Her nipples had hardened into tight little pebbles. His touch and his lips felt so good Sandy almost arched her entire body off of the door when he finally pulled her breast into his mouth.
“God Franklin, you feel so good.” Sandy started to move her body against Franklin’s manhood. Her cavern was empty and she needed him to fill it.
Franklin worked his lips back up to her mouth for another kiss. Sandy’s hands were all over his body. He wanted her to want him as much as he wanted her. “Is this what you want?” He murmured. Then slowly moved his digit into her body.
It felt so good Sandy threw her head back against the door “Yes!”
As Franklin moved his digit in and out of her, he added a second one. This time he moved in and out in a circular motion.
Franklin captured her mouth in another passionate kiss as he felt her muscles clenching around his fingers. It was time to make love to her. He picked her up from the door and carried her to the bed. He gently laid her beautiful body down. She was amazing. She reached out to him and opened her legs as he climbed on top of her. He positioned himself right at her entrance as they gazed deeply into in each other’s eyes. Franklin didn’t rush it. He slowly slid into her inch by excruciating inch.
She was so tight. He felt it every time her muscles clenched around him. He pulled almost all the way out before slowly sliding all the way back inside. It took everything within him not to ram into her. She was soaked. He watched her face as her eyes rolled back into her head. Finally, Franklin couldn’t hold it any longer. He had to pick up the speed. He pumped into her trying to go a
s deeply as he could. He began to pump faster and harder. He furiously thrust in and out. Her body was clenching him so tightly he knew she was coming and it was only a matter of time before he came too. She screamed. Franklin kept pumping into her hard and fast that she was afraid the bed was going to break. She was still in the middle of her orgasm when Franklin started to come too. He felt so good. They hid their moans inside their kisses. Sandy had never had an experience this intense.
After a few moments they finally came down from the euphoria of making love. Franklin kissed her gently on her lips. He sighed “This probably shouldn’t have happened. I’ve never mixed my personal life with business before. Not ever. I should probably go but I don’t want to leave.”
She entwined her fingers with his “Then don’t. Stay with me. I’d planned to nap for a little bit before we went back to the hospital.”
Franklin took a deep breath as if he’d lost an internal battle and pulled Sandy close to him. He set the alarm on his phone and they fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Chapter 22
Jason, his father, and his mother were finally alone in the waiting room. Once there, Jason began the difficult task of explaining the situation with Ryan Carter to his parents. Jason was grateful they didn’t judge Vicky about the crazy circumstances which they found themselves. His parents just wanted Angel to be ok. So, they were fully on board with what Jason had planned in order to get Ryan Carter to the hospital especially if it was going to save Angel’s life.
New Beginnings Page 7
