“Oh, I’m…I’m so sorry, Dean. You mentioned being married, but I didn’t know you still had feelings for your—”
“I don’t,” I interrupt. “Things were over between us long before they ended. We were both too stubborn to admit it, and I’m not ashamed to admit there was part of me that didn’t want to face the truth. I’d rather ignore it than say I’d messed up and ask for a separation even though it crossed my mind multiple times.” It’s the first time I’ve admitted that to anyone. Archer knew a little about the issues Kara and I had, but I didn’t want to burden him with a secret he had to keep from Quinn.
So I kept it all to myself.
“And in hindsight, we should have split shortly after we got married. I’d ignored the signs. I did what I was supposed to do, but not what I wanted to do. We dated, I proposed, and we got married. I wanted to stick with the marriage. Make it work.” I shake my head. “Doing nothing forced me to think about how much grief I could have saved myself—and my family—if I’d followed my heart all along.”
“Well,” she starts. “It’s never too late to start over, right?”
“Right.”
I look her over, cock jumping and heart skipping a beat in my chest. She’s so fucking sexy, but there’s more to her, and it hits me right then and there that I’m going to do whatever it takes to prove to her that I want more than just one night.Chapter 25RoryI roll over, pulling the pillow down on my face. JoAnn has been snoring for hours, making it impossible to sleep. I already feel uncomfortable falling asleep with a stranger in the bed next to me, and the constant, loud snoring is driving me up a fucking wall.
Knowing I had to get up early tomorrow, I tried going to bed early. And now that I can’t fall asleep, the anxiety of being tired and falling asleep during the panel is making me too wired to sleep. I need to get up and get out of this room before I snap and pull the Bible out of the nightstand drawer, chucking it at JoAnn.
It’s going on one AM, and a quick look down at the pool area lets me know the nightlife is going strong. I go into the bathroom and pull on the sundress I wore this evening. I rake my fingers through my hair, don’t bother with makeup, and grab my shoes and purse. After double-checking I have my room key, I quietly sneak out and pad down the hall, letting out a breath of relief when the elevator doors ding.
I’m not really sure what my plan is but sipping on another strawberry daiquiri while listening to the ocean sounds so nice right now. I cross through the lobby and head to the bar by the pool.
Dean walks in right as I get to the door. He looks tired, and I think about what he said before. I feel for him, and understanding what he’s been through explains why he’s reluctant to start a new relationship again.
“Hey,” he says, slowing to a stop. “Going out to party?”
“I wish.” I run my hand through my hair, wishing I’d brushed it. “I have a roommate who, well, I’ll just say she isn’t someone I’d be roommates with. She’s friends with the nurse who was originally coming. Sorry, I’m rambling. I’ve never met someone who snores louder, and it was either come out here or be arrested for murder in the morning.”
Dean laughs. “You made a wise choice. Want some company? I couldn’t sleep either.”
“Yeah. Is the bar still open?” I rub my eyes. “I’m already tired, so I’m hoping a drink will be what I need to fall asleep despite the snoring.”
“You’re welcome to crash in my room.”
Heat rushes through me at the thought of getting in bed with Dean again. “Seriously?” I ask, after taking a second to remind myself to calm my tits. He just admitted to liking me and now he’s trying to get me to sleep with him again.
I should have known better.
“I have a suite with a pullout couch in the living room. I’ll take that and you can have the bed.”
“Why do you have a suite?” I ask, buying myself more time before I answer. I’m more comfortable with Dean than I am with JoAnn, who I know nothing about. I don’t completely trust Dean’s intentions, but I know he’s a good guy.
He’s not going to smother me with a pillow in the middle or the night.
“Archer got it with the intention of bringing Quinn as a surprise. I don’t know why they needed such a big room, but that’s kind of what they do.”
“Must be nice.”
“Yeah. The room is impressive. I even have a mini kitchen. There’s nothing in it, though.” He brings his hand to the back of his neck. His demeanor has changed, and this time, he’s not trying to seduce me in any way. He’s just being nice.