Free Alyssa's Desire by Krysten Raine Page A

used some of weight machines. After that, she went swimming and then she finished her work out by relaxing in the sauna for almost an hour. The steam and sweat did her good. She put a towel over her eyes and just concentrated on releasing all of the negativity from her body. The trip to the gym was both an invigorating and a relaxing experience, and she really needed both. When she got home she was feeling a thousand times better. She ordered Chinese food and she watched two romantic comedies on pay per view. Taking a day to unwind was like heaven and Alyssa felt renewed and ready to pick herself up and embrace the fact that she had been given a second chance. Of course she did have Jack Coleman to thank for that.
        The next day Alyssa treated herself to a relaxation package at the local spa. Normally she wouldn't splurge like that but again she felt that she needed it. The package included a detox bath, a deep tissue massage, a face mask, and a manicure and pedicure. When she was done with the spa, Alyssa went shopping. She bought two new work outfits and some jewelry that was on sale.  Come Monday morning, Alyssa was feeling pretty good. She was hoping that Jack would notice her improved state but all he said to her was that he was glad she was back. The next few days, Alyssa was hoping to get a chance to thank him again for his help but he didn't seem to be around very much. She saw him coming and going but it was like he didn't have the time to talk to her. Alyssa started to worry. Was he ignoring her? Maybe he was angry with her for what had happened, or worse yet maybe there was something about her case that she didn't know about. Maybe someone from work had found out that he helped her to get the charges dropped and he had gotten into trouble for it. Well whatever the reason was, Jack seemed distant and as a result, and Alyssa was downright heartbroken. Jack's despondent behavior continued all week and by Thursday Alyssa was convinced that Jack didn't want anything to do with her despite the kind words and apparent attention he had given her at the jail. She had seen him in the hallway, she smiled and he just looked away and pretended to be going through his cell phone. Alyssa sighed and returned to her desk with a heavy heart.
        That night Alyssa was dying to get home. Being around Jack this week wasn't sexy or exciting, it was just depressing. She had allowed herself to fall for him and to think that maybe he was feeling something for her. Now that Alyssa realized that Jack probably wasn't flirting with her at the jail at all, she was utterly and completely devastated. She probably imagined the whole thing in some desperate damsel in distress type scenario. He was only trying to help her because she worked for him, not because he liked her. He probably would have done the same thing for any of his employees. Alyssa felt so stupid for allowing herself to think that there was anything more.
        When Alyssa walked in her front door that night all she wanted was a good stiff drink and a good night's sleep. She threw her briefcase to the side and walked right into the kitchen, searching for the strongest alcohol she could find. 100% proof Southern Comfort should do the trick. She reached into the cupboard for a glass and then she filled it a quarter of the way with ice and half with the whiskey. She didn't normally drink it straight but today she didn't care what it tasted like or how much it burned going down. She kind of liked it actually, like it was symbolically burning away the pain she felt inside.
        Alyssa sat her drink on the counter and she cast an annoyed glance toward the persistent beeping of her answer machine. With a sigh and a bought of courage, Alyssa took a mighty swig. She coughed and sputtered as that swig of whiskey burned her mouth and throat with incredibly intensity.  Even Alyssa's ears were on fire and her eyes were watering. Alyssa sat her glass back down on the counter and