"How does that feel?" Katie quietly asked.
Callie felt Katie's warm breath close to her ear. "Great," she murmured. "I never had a massage before. Guess I'll have to keep you around."
"I don't mind. Just call me whenever you need one."
Callie closed her eyes as Katie's hands moved over her entire back. She sucked in her breath as those intense hands continued touching her throbbing body longing to turn over and pull Katie down on top of her but knew she couldn't do that. When Katie was finished, Callie could still feel the sensation from her touch, and couldn't recall ever feeling so relaxed and peaceful.
"You have a visitor," he said quietly.
"No one knows I'm here." She started to tremble. "Oh my God! I hope the press hasn't found out where I am."
He laid a hand on her shoulder. "It's Clare Christian."
Ally's hand flew to her mouth. "Clare's here?" she exclaimed. "Where is she?"
He opened the door and motioned for the woman. Clare walked into the room and over to Ally, quickly enclosing her in her arms. He closed the door and stood silently watching the women.
Tears filled Ally's eyes. "Oh my, God, Clare, you don't know how I've needed you, but how did you find out?"
She softly laughed. "Sweetheart, when I didn't hear from you I knew something terrible must have happened. Then when I read in the papers that you'd resigned I knew something was wrong. I've been trying to find you for so long. Last night I broke down and called Michael. I insisted he tell me your whereabouts."
"I thought you'd be the last person he'd tell."
"He knows I'll never leave you, Ally, unless you ask me to."
She touched her cheek. "That will never happen, Clare."
Jordan laid a hand on Samantha's trembling shoulder. "Stay away from her, Samantha," she warned. "What you had with her is over. You can't help her anymore. God knows you tried, but you can't change someone who doesn't want to be changed."
Samantha quietly closed the door behind Jordan, and then walked back into her living room. She paced the floor for a few minutes before wearily sinking into a chair. She shivered as an icy chill enveloped her. Her mind was traumatized by Jordan's news. She knew firsthand how livid J.C. could become when she was provoked, but she also knew the tender, sweeter side of her. There was no way in hell anyone could ever convince her that J.C. was capable of murder. She had to find out the truth about what really happened.
Zinna was immediately sorry that she'd mentioned Megan. "Oh, just a friend," she answered quickly.
Charity studied her, making Zinna uncomfortable.
"We've been friends since high school."
"Megan's still in Buffalo?"
She shook her head. "Rochester."
"You went to school in Buffalo, though?"
"Yes, but Megan and I moved to Rochester after high school. She's still there."
Charity looked evenly at her. "Maybe she'll come for a visit sometime."
"Maybe," Zinna replied.
