“I really want to kiss you,” he whispers, and I can smell the bourbon on his breath.
“I’m married,” I whisper.
“He isn’t here, is he? He let his stunning wife go on a vacation all alone because he was too busy.”
My heart is pounding at his words as he leans closer. My head is screaming how wrong this is, but my six-month sexless hormones are screaming ‘yes’. My head is fuzzy, and I can’t move.
His eyes remain open, locked onto mine as our lips touch. I close mine and relish in his tender kiss. He caresses my face as I open my mouth wider. Rob moans and drops his hands to my hips, pulling me closer to him.
My last thought as I open the door to my hotel room is that Rob thinks I’m beautiful, and Jax didn’t respond.
~ ~ ~
When Rob leaves an hour later, the reality finally sets in. I’m standing in the shower, holding onto the walls, bawling.
I cheated on Jax.
I ruined our marriag
e.
I begin to scrub my skin. I don’t want that bourbon smell on me. My skin is red when I step out of the shower. My stomach is turning over and over until I finally throw up all the food and alcohol in my stomach.
Jax.
How am I ever going to face Jax?
What am I going to say?
He’ll never forgive me. I know that he won’t be able to. I’ve violated every ounce of trust he gave me.
I brush my teeth, and go lay on the sofa.
“Well, I think I’m in love,” Jasmine announces as she comes into the room. “Oh my God.” She rushes over to me, kneeling next to me. “What happened to you?”
“Oh God.” My head falls on her shoulder and she wraps her arms around me.
“Avery, tell me right now what’s wrong?” she orders.
“I ruined everything.”
Jasmine pulls back. “Did Jax call or something?” She looks over the room and sees my sheets and bed askew. “Oh no. No, no, no.” Her face is in horror. “You didn’t?”
I cover my face with my hands and sob loudly.
“Oh, Avery.” She holds me tighter and tries to soothe my shaking body.
I don’t know how long I cry. It could’ve been six hours or six minutes, but I’m finally able to compose myself. Jasmine jumps up, kicks off her heels, and runs to the bathroom. She comes back with a clean washcloth and wipes my face. She’s been crying, too.
“Jax is going to kill me.” My voice cracks.
Jasmine’s blue eyes are wide with a mix of emotions.
“I can’t believe I did this,” I sniffle.
“Avery,” her mouth is open but nothing comes out.
“I know. I don’t know what to do. What do I do, Jasmine?”