Midnight (McKenna Chronicles Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

flood into consciousness, refusing to be
repressed any longer.
    The
image of his sculpted face, his lips that in one moment harden into a firm line
and in the next are soft and full, the brilliant smile and dimples that soften
the solid, and strong lines of his stunning face cause my heart to beat faster.
Blood pounds quickly, reverberating in my head, down my arms and tingling in my
fingers. Oh, my. I catch myself as my breathing changes, increasing with the
direction of my thoughts.
    The
magnetic pull I feel when I look at him is beyond surprising. These unbidden
reactions scare me; this kind of physical response has never happened before. I
can’t figure out why now, why him?
    Throwing
back the covers, the cool air of the room quickens my pace into the bath for a
hot shower. Turning on the water, I contemplate the day ahead. I had not
expected to stay over so I was completely unprepared for the night and even
more so for today. Taking advantage of the hotel amenities, I was not left
wanting for a toothbrush and soaps; clean clothes were the hardest part of an
unexpected stay. The hotel offered same-day laundry service, yet it was too
late in the day to send my things and have them back for an early-morning
meeting.
    I’d
been completely surprised to find University of Notre Dame panties in the gift
shop, which solved one problem. I’d also bought a long-sleeved Fighting
Irish T-shirt I could wear underneath the slim-cut jean jacket I had in my
car, along with my skirt from yesterday. It isn’t very professional, but it
will have to do.
    After
our meeting yesterday afternoon, Mr. Daugherty had made a couple of phone calls
to secure a room for me at the hotel, in addition to a reservation for the
Senator to meet me at nine this morning at Sorin’s, a restaurant within the inn
itself. After that I was alone to fend for myself throughout the evening. It
would have been the perfect opportunity to walk the campus, if the snow had let
up. It didn’t, so my only outing was the gift shop, spending the rest of the
night watching movies with room service for company.
    The
bathroom is hot and steamy as I dry myself, the outline of my body vaguely
present in the foggy mirror. I sigh as the towel runs over my hips and full
breasts, standing to the side to stare, disheartened, at my stomach. I’d joined
a Pilate's class, guaranteed to strengthen and lengthen muscles, and my own
hope was it would help with my coordination. Clumsiness is a recurrent and
ongoing challenge for Charlie Carter. I laugh at my naked self—so much for
guarantees—because the reflection returned is still soft. That’s the best word
to describe the roundness of my hips into muscled thighs, the effect of many
summers spent water-skiing at my parents’ lake house. My ample breasts hover
above a flat but healthy stomach. No one would call me skinny—curvaceous maybe,
but not skinny.
    My
hair has responded differently this morning, creating natural silky and smooth
loose waves cascading over my shoulders. I have limited resources when it comes
to make-up; thankfully I slept well, and there isn’t a lot of coverage needed. My
clear ivory skin is a gift, along with the light blazing auburn waves, from my
biological mother, who I barely remember.
    One
last look in the mirror confirms I resemble a student of the university, not a
professional on her way to a breakfast meeting with a presidential candidate. I
smirk at the vision in the mirror; leave it to me to take business-casual to a
whole new level.  
    It’s
ten to nine when I leave my room, intentionally allowing just enough time to
make the appointment. A calculated move on my part, so my nerves can’t get the
best of me while waiting for him to arrive.
    The
doors to the restaurant are framed in heavy wood, and the name is written above
the entrance in the same navy and gold colors that are heavily laden throughout
the inn and conference center. The dark wood carries through the entire space;
it all