Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Adalyn's mouth was dry, her eyes heavy. She felt like she’d been hit by a freight train. She shifted in an attempt to stretch her stiff, fatigued muscles, but she couldn’t move. Apparently, the tequila train had run her over, then backed up to park on top of her chest.
She blinked rapidly to dispel the last vestiges of sleep and blearily took in her surroundings.
The room was unfamiliar, and it took several seconds for her to realize she was in her hotel room.
The heat at her back and the heavy arm draped over her waist—her naked waist, she realized as she peeked below the covers—told her that she had indeed indulged in a Vegas moment.
She remembered the man from the bar, but not much after that. They’d obviously made love, or so she assumed. There wasn’t a whole lot of room for doubt, considering they were both naked. She could feel a hard ridge pressing against her bottom, and she resisted the urge to press her hips backward.
What else had happened last night? They’d left the bar and headed down the Strip, stopping to watch the fountain at the Bellagio, then…
Then what?
Her memory was foggy after that. She stole a glance over her shoulder and caught a glimpse of him sprawled out behind her, his head inches from hers on the pillow.
The sight sent a momentary pang of longing through her heart. Last night, he’d been sweet and funny and so gorgeous it hurt to look at him. The lines of his face were softer in sleep, making him look sweet and almost innocent.
She vaguely remembered their discussion of a serious relationship as they’d walked, giddy and half-drunk, down the Strip.
They’d had an amazing time, their passion and lust fueled by the romantic, sparkling lights of the city and the novelty of something new.
Despite their initial connection, she knew it would never work.
Trying to avoid the awkward, post-hookup moment, she untangled her limbs from his as gently as possible and slid toward the edge of the bed. His thick forearm tightened around her waist and pulled her back to him.
“Where do you think you’re going, beautiful?”
He nuzzled her hair, and she melted a bit.
They were both adults; they would part amicably, maybe even trade numbers for later.
She almost laughed aloud at the thought.
Because he was in the military, he was probably never in one place very long.
She would never see the man again after she left this hotel room.
She let out a soft sigh. It was really too bad. Come checkout time, her Vegas man would have to stay right there where he belonged. In the meantime, though, he felt too good. She snuggled up to him, letting his warmth and strength envelope her.
He let out a sleepy sound, and his arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer. He lazily stroked her shoulder with one hand, and the feel of smooth metal caught her attention. She jerked to a sitting position, mouth agape, frozen in shock as she stared down at him.
Gold glinted on his ring finger, and her stomach seemed to turn inside out. “Is that a wedding band?!”
He looked up at her, his face impassive. “Yes.”
“How could you?” She snatched up the sheet and wrapped it around herself.
“Adalyn—”
“Don’t you dare!” She clambered from the bed. “I can’t believe this. You lied to me. You told me you weren’t seeing anyone. You’re married!”
Fury mixed with shame caused tears to burn the backs of her eyes. How could he? And how could she have missed something so obvious? Her passion-fueled happiness from the past few minutes melted away, replaced by humiliation.
Why? Why were men so awful? First Shawn, then Jaxon. He’d seemed so sincere last night, so genuine when she’d told him about Shawn. He’d even denied being attached to anyone when she’d asked. She wanted so badly to believe she was mistaken, but the gold band on his finger made her heart clench.
He opened his mouth to speak, but she had to know. The words spilled from her mouth. “Is it true? You’re really married?”
Cerulean eyes staring intently into hers, he nodded. She sucked in a sharp breath, pain exploding in her chest, and her legs turned to jelly.
Oh, God. What had she done? She tried to snatch her hand back when he grasped for it, but he was too strong. “Don’t touch me! What are you—”
“Adalyn.”
She jumped at the commanding tone, his intense blue stare pulling her under.
His eyes dropped meaningfully, and she followed his gaze to her own left hand.
She stared stupidly at the thin gold band that matched his.
Her heart stuttered, her brain rejecting the idea even as snippets of memory flashed into focus. Were they…? Had they…?
“Adalyn… We are married.”