My Last Resolution(21)

I hold the paper up to my face and notice that he’s written notes next to a few of my resolutions:

3. Start getting massages at least twice a year... If it’s under fifty dollars...

(I’d be more than happy to give you as many of these as you like...)

4. Do something spontaneous and crazy. Just for the hell of it, something that would scare and excite me at the same time...

(We should discuss this... )

5. Have passionate, hot sex with someone who isn’t Adrian. (Okay, me and Adrian never had hot, passionate sex—Why was I with him again? Why was I—STOP IT...Must finish this list...)

(I’m not sure why you were with him either, but I would love to help you satisfy this resolution...)

6. Meet someone who wants to treat me all the time and not vice versa...

(Let me take you on a date after the storm is over...)

7. Write everyday...I’m supposed to be an aspiring journalist, but this list is the first thing I’ve written in months. MONTHS

(I have a private library you can use.)

8. Have passionate, hot sex...with someone who can give me an ORGASM...

(Multiple.)

Chapter 7

There’s a heavy snow falling outside my window. It’s blanketing everything within sight, and under the night’s full moon, the scene looks surreal.

I want to step outside on the balcony and toss my phone into the snowflakes, but I can’t seem to stop listening to Adrian’s latest speech.

“Please stop calling me, Adrian.” I sigh. “I took a flight to get away from you for a reason.”

“Tell me where you are so I can drive to you...It doesn’t matter how far.” He actually sounds sincere. “Please.”

“No, thank you.”

“Paris, I’m sorry. I really want us to work this out.”

“What’s the point, Adrian? Do you even love me anymore? Did you ever?”

“What type of question is that? Of course I loved you. I still do.”

“That’s why you want to marry me?” Tears have been falling down my face ever since I stupidly picked up the phone.

“Yes, Paris. That’s exactly why. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“So if I say no, if I say that I think we should wait a few years...What would you say to that?”

He hesitates. “Why would you say no?”

“Answer the question.”

“Babe...Seriously, where are you? We need to discuss this in person. ”

“We can discuss it right now.” I wipe my face on my sleeve. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“If you said no...” There’s a bit of anger in his voice. “I guess I would just let you say no...But I would also say that it would probably be easier for us if we got married.”

“Easier?”

“Financially easier. I’ll make partner a lot sooner if we’re married, and I’ll be able to send you to whatever writing school you want. Well, after I go back to get my PhD, but that’s only a few more years.”

“Goodbye, Adrian.” I end the call and turn off my phone.

More tears stream down my face and I check the time: Three o’ clock in the morning. I know that I shouldn’t have picked up, but a small, ignorant part of me honestly thought that he would beg to have me back, that he would finally act like the man that I wanted him to be.

I turn on the lamp and pull out my list. I look over number two, “Stop thinking about [him]” and put a checkmark by it.

I won’t be answering his phone calls anymore.

***

“Paris?” Blake’s voice is in my ear. “Is something wrong? Are you sick?”

I murmur and roll over to face him.

The second I open my eyes, I almost fall out of the bed.

He’s damn near naked.

He’s only wearing a towel around his waist, and small droplets of water are trickling down his tattooed chest. To make matters worse, the imprint of his dick—his HUGE dick, can clearly be seen through the towel.

Holy shit...

“Paris?” He places his hand on my forehead.

“Why the hell are you naked?” I’m sure my eyes are as wide as they can go.

“You were screaming.”

“I screamed for you to come in here and take your clothes off?”

“No.” He laughs. “I heard you while I was in the shower... Are you listening to me?”

I try to keep my eyes on his, but they keep wandering down to that towel—attempting to get a better look at exactly what’s behind it.

“Would you like for me to take the towel off?” he asks. “I’m starting to think that would really make you feel better.”

“It wouldn’t.” My heart flutters. “And I’m perfectly fine. I think I might have just been moaning about menstrual cramps.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“Because they taught you how to predict menstrual cycles in law school?”

“No, but you took a birth control pill while we were on the plane—a first week Thursday one...You won’t get your period for another two weeks, so I highly doubt you’re having menstrual cramps—if you’re even cramping at all.”

My jaw drops and the fluttering in my stomach intensifies.