Jake, always optimistic to the point of annoying, had earned his place as the level, solid, and strong half of our long-demised relationship, yet during the past hours, he’d barely contained his emotions. The man was scattered and unpredictable. A mess. What was I getting myself into?
For the first time in months, I woke up cocooned in warm sheets, curled against an even warmer body, which was pretty close to perfection. The best part? Even if I could never say it out loud, I was with the greatest love of my life. A love who was in no state to hear about my reawakened feelings.
The familiar adorable errant wisp of hair against his forehead beckoned me, begging to be smoothed into place, and I obliged, caressing him gently. Our gazes locked as he opened his eyes. Would our past mistakes get between us now that we were half-way sober?
After several blinks, he captured a curl of my hair in what seemed like agonizingly slow motion and wound it around his fingertip. “Mare. You’re still here.” He brushed the back of his hand over my face and shifted, drawing me closer, caressing my lips with a gentle kiss.
Even after so many years apart, our limbs intertwined naturally, our bodies instinctively remembering the countless times we’d made love. The comfort of my familiar lover, the soaking up of his sensual caresses, and the responding to his increasing demands brought me alive. I stroked his finely muscled back and dug in my fingertips, letting out a soft moan, encouraging his assault on my senses. How could I resist?
Full morning light brightened the room. After a luxurious stretch, I rolled over and reached out, patting the empty space. “Jake?” I propped myself on one elbow, searching for a sign.
He came around the corner, dressed in a casual button-down shirt, his damp hair sticking out at all angles. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I have to go.”
“Is everything okay with Tía? With your daughter?”
Jake nodded. “Yeah, they’re fine.”
I sat and hugged my knees to my chest, eyeing the overnight bag on the floor by the door. “You weren’t planning to say goodbye?”
He shoved his hands into his pockets and bowed his head. “Does that make me a coward?”
I nibbled my lip and tucked my chin to my chest, waiting for him to say something more. Something meaningful. The silence felt heavy and awkward. My eyes stung. I wiggled to the edge of the bed, hauling the sheet around my nakedness while scanning the floor for my clothing.
“Don’t leave. Stay and enjoy the room.”
I kept my head down, blinking hard as I hauled my dress over my head, shuffling toward the door where my designer shoes lay discarded. On the way, I paused to scoop my clutch from the floor, heart sinking as my expensive lacy lingerie, which had seemed oh-so-important yesterday, evaded me.
Jake advanced, one slow step at a time. “Don’t cry, please?”
A burn crept into my cheeks. “Over you?” I dodged past, scarcely avoiding his outstretched hand, managing to hook my shoes with two fingers before fumbling with the lock. “Get over yourself.”
“Don’t make this—”
“Oh, don’t worry. I get it, Jakob. I won’t make it a thing.” I slipped from his room, scurrying down the roughly carpeted hallway. At the sound of stirrings behind another door, I combed my fingers through my frightful tangle of hair, praying it wasn’t one of the other wedding guests heading out for an early breakfast. Ugh. Please don’t be Luciana, about to pop out and catch this embarrassing morning-after walk with her brother trailing down the hall behind me.
“Wait. Mare, please, let me explain.”
“You’re banned from ever using that name again.” I poked the call button with my index finger. “Come on.” I pushed it again, and then again. Hurry up. Hurry up.
“Where are you going?”
I prodded the button several times in quick succession.
“That never makes it come faster.”
I dipped my head, staring at my bare toes, unable to stop their uncontrollable tapping against the rough grey carpet. “Who asked you?”
“Same old impatient Amara. Come back to the room.”
The elevator gods heard my prayers and the door slid open. I stepped inside, lifting my chin and narrowing my eyes as I took one final look at the man who’d just ripped out my heart. The man who’d succeeded in making me love him again. “Sneaking away after playing me just so you could fit in that all-important wedding shag doesn’t make you a coward, Jakob. It makes you a complete asshole.” I slammed my hand against the button for my floor, grateful when I no longer had to look at him. Shame on me for breaking my own rules.
An hour later, my suitcase was packed, my online flight check in was done, and I’d ordered a sedan. Now all I had to do was make it to the airport, and I’d be on my way home. There’d be no faked smiles and endured gossip at the gift opening. No jokes and teasing about that hot wedding reception kiss. No pitying looks from all the disgustingly happy couples, either.
I hauled my bag to the front counter and set my room keys on top.
“Checking out?” The clerk smiled and took my keys, tapping something into the computer. “Was everything to your satisfaction, Ms. Grant?”
Definitely not. However, that wasn’t this young man’s fault. It was all mine.
“The room was lovely, thank you,” I said as I scrawled my signature on the bill and pushed it across the counter.
“So, not quite over with Jake then.”
I looked up at the man leaning against the counter.
“You ditched me last night, but I guess that’s what I get for leaving an amazing woman like you unattended with an ex-boyfriend on the loose.”
“Christophe.” I straightened. “No, no. That’s over. I promise.”
“Hmmmm.” He studied me, a smile flickering and growing. “You remembered my name.”
Always. This man was certifiably adorable. As easy to remember as he was
