And Then It Happened: An Unexpected Romance (23 page)

It was six days into our separation that I decided to check the dating website. Perhaps someone wanted to meet pathetic Jane, whose hair was so greasy it looked a little like KFC chicken. I clicked over a few losers before a familiar name popped up on my screen.

My heart faltered as I clicked on Marcus’ message to me.

Jane,

I know this is weird, but Adrian refused to give me your number so I had to resort to sneaky bastard moves to get in touch with you. First, let me say that it wasn’t Adrian you heard next door. It was August. He has a key to Adrian’s house and often makes himself at home…in more ways than one. Adrian was with Gabe, Chris and I that night discussing you actually. And after our conversation your accusation would have hit him like a ton of bricks. Let’s just say someone is head over heels for you.

Second, this weekend is my parent’s anniversary celebration. Adrian hasn’t told my parents about what happened between you two because he doesn’t want to ruin their day. He is maintaining the lie that you’re busy with work. So if you have a change of heart and want to join us you won’t be turned away. The address and directions are attached.

Third, Gabe and I are begging you to show up. Adrian has been a whiney little bitch since you sent him away. Please, oh pretty please save us all.

See you Friday night,

Marcus Thatcher.

P.S. If this little conversation could stay between us that would be great.

I swallowed my surprise as I reread Marcus’ letter three more times. It was the third time that did it. Suddenly, I was leaping from bed, my energy and purpose in life renewed. Adrian
hadn’t
cheated on me. He had been faithful. It was August next door the whole time. Not Adrian.

Like he said, stupid. You just weren’t listening.

Holy crap. I had to get to Big Bear. I had to see Adrian. I grabbed my phone and glanced down at the screen. Double crap. It was Friday right now. I had only a few hours until I was supposed to be there.

I rushed to my closet and pulled down a duffle bag, spilling contents all over my floor. Pictures of Craig and I were scattered across the floor, but I stomped all over them in my haste to pack.

As I pulled clothes of the hanger I caught a whiff of myself. Whew. I smelled like socks and old cheese. I really needed to shower, shave and put on some make up. I didn’t want to make a bad impression. And more importantly I really wanted to get my man back.

If he’d have me, that is.

***

The drive from Fullerton to Big Bear didn’t take as long as I thought. When I arrived
, I was fresh faced and looking pretty damn good considering I had been in hibernation for the past week. Parking was limited, so I ended up lugging my duffle bag a mile up the road. But it was fine by me. I was full of nervous energy and I needed to burn some of it off before I ended up embarrassing myself. Like blathering endlessly about one of the endless marathons I watched on Discovery channel and describing it in detail…like how to survive in Alaska during the winter. I knew all about that.

When I came to the house that Marcus had given me directions to, I strolled inside, not even bothering to knock. Which, thankfully, was the right thing to do.

“Oh Jane. We’re so glad you could make it,” Candice said as I glanced around the corner into the living room. At least fifteen people were milling around, eating appetizers and drinking beer. Before I could even respond, I was immediately engulfed in a hug by Candice and I watched in amazement as her eyes filled with tears.

“Adrian has been so disappointed this entire day. He didn’t think you could make it. Oh, he’s going to be so thrilled to see you.”

I didn’t tell her the real reason he was disappointed. I didn’t want her to hate me. So instead I just nodded and said, “It’s a surprise.”

“Oh thank the Lord in heaven,” Gabe said as he strolled toward me. He pulled me into a side hug and whispered in my ear. “He’s upstairs sulking.”

“I’ll grab her bags,” Marcus said appearing from behind me.

“I didn’t hear from you so I didn’t think you’d make it,” Marcus said as I trailed him up an enormous staircase. The ‘cabin’ we were staying in (and I use the term loosely because it was enormous) had at least ten rooms and three floors. I’d never been in a place so big in my entire life. I felt like Belle in
Beauty and the Beast
. I was actually kind of scared I was going to get lost navigating the hallways.

“I didn’t get your message until today,” I replied, trying to memorize where we were going.

“Yeah, I guess I should have thought about the fact that you probably wouldn’t check your dating website during all this…”

“No worries,” I replied, feeling my heart triple in pace as I neared an arched bedroom door.

“Here you go,” Marcus said, dropping my bag on the floor. “Dinners almost ready, so be downstairs ASAP and tread lightly. He’s been a dick all week.”

I sent Marcus a thankful smile before turning the handle and walking into the room Adrian and I had planned on sharing a week ago.

As soon as it opened, Adrian spun around in confusion clad in only his jeans. “Mom…seriously. You can’t just barge in…”

Our eyes met and I saw surprise flutter across Adrian’s face before it vanished entirely.

“What are you doing here?” he asked angrily, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of my duffle bag.

“Coming to your parents vow renewal,” I replied, squaring my shoulders.

“You were uninvited, so time to go home,” he said gesturing toward the door.

I huffed out a breath. “Yeah, right. Your parents were thrilled to see me.”

“Don’t know why,” he muttered, reaching for a shirt. It was a shame really because I had missed those abs so much. After pulling it on, he turned to face me. “Why are you really here?”

“To apologize, to make things right,” I said quickly, not wanting him to turn me away. I wasn’t going to give up that easily.

Whatever I thought would happen when he saw me didn’t. Instead of him pulling me in for a kiss, he rounded the bed and stopped in front of me.

“I don’t want your apology. So you can keep it,” he said bitterly. “And don’t think I’m sleeping on the floor. You’re not my girlfriend…or my friend…so I don’t owe you the courtesy.”

His words cut me, but I knew I deserved them. I’d called him a man whore for god’s sake. I could take whatever he dished with humility.

“Well, fine. We’ll share the bed,” I said, setting my duffle bag on the chair in the room. “It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”

“Janice, I don’t share beds with girls I don’t fuck. You’re on the floor tonight,” he said, striding from the room.

“Make me,” I muttered under my breath.

He heard me because I heard him say, “Gladly” as he slammed the door in my face.”

Holy cow you’re in trouble.

And boy oh boy was I. Adrian, who was usually easy going and light hearted seemed to be on some kind of rampage. I had expected him to be angry, but I hadn’t expected it to last longer than thirty seconds. If Adrian had been behaving like this all week no wonder Marcus had pulled some sneaky bastard moves and contacted me through the dating site.

I unpacked, taking the time I had alone to regroup. I really needed to form a plan, but my mind just came up blank. I really hoped that Adrian would cool off and give us a chance to talk. I really didn’t want to have to walk away from him.

After I successfully put everything away, I made sure my makeup wasn’t smudged and my clothes weren’t wrinkled before heading downstairs. When I got there, I was overwhelmed with Adrian’s family who were all dying to get a glimpse of Adrian’s girl.

Being called that despite it not being true at the moment had me biting back a smile. This term of endearment only seemed to make Adrian madder because by the time we were seated at the dinner table he was glowering at me.

“Be nice,” I whispered, as I placed my napkin in my lap.

“And why should I be?”

“Because it’s your parents vow renewal and they’re so happy you brought me.”

“I didn’t bring you and they will get over it. Next.”

“Fine, then be nice because I drove all the way here to be with you,” I replied, shooting a smile at Gabe and his partner Sammy who were seated across from me. Gabe was rolling his eyes as Sammy muttered something in his ear.

“I don’t know why you bothered,” Adrian muttered and I lightly pinched his thigh. God, those thighs felt so good beneath my fingers.

“Because I needed to see you. I needed to apologize. I know it wasn’t you that day.”

Adrian froze before picking up his glass of water and taking a large sip. “I told you that a week ago…”

“I know, but…”

“You thought I was that kind of guy, the kind of guy who cheats…like Craig.”

“I don’t think you’re…”

“Yes, you do. You’ve thought that about me since the first day we met. I can’t be with someone who is constantly judging, constantly waiting for me to make a mistake. So this,” he said, waving his index finger between us, “is over.”

“No,” I replied stubbornly, which only caused Adrian’s frown to deepen.

I wanted to say something else but was cut off by Joel who stood up and clanged his glass with a knife.

“We’re so happy you could all make it…”

Joel’s, words melted off into the distance as I turned to stare at Adrian. His eyes were intently fixed on his father’s, never once slipping to meet mine.

“And we are also so happy that Adrian’s girlfriend drove all the way here to be with us for this special occasion,” Joel added and I blushed so deeply I was pretty sure my face looked like a tomato.

“And so on this special night, after thirty four long years of marriage all I want to do is kiss my wife!”

Everyone cheered and whistled as Joel bent down and kissed Candice who was, of course, crying. The kiss caused every other couple around the table to kiss their significant others. I felt a little awkward when Adrian merely stared at the table and fiddled with his forks.

So I leaned over and said into his ear,” Kiss me?”

He glanced over and his eyes dropped to my lips. I saw his pupils dilate as his tongue shot out to wet his mouth.

“Fine, but only because I don’t want my parents to be suspicious.”

And then his lips descended onto mine and the whole world stopped. This was what I had been missing all last week.

Who are you kidding? It’s what you’ve been missing your whole life.

Adrian’s tongue swept into my mouth as I clenched onto his wrists. His hands were tangled in my hair as I slanted my head for better access. And I was lost, so incredibly lost in the moment that I forgot we were at a dinner table…at his parent’s vow renewals…with his family…

I pulled my head back so quickly that our lips, which had been very happy to be together, came apart with a smack. Everyone around the table was watching us with wide eyes. Marcus was laughing silently as Gabe and Sammy beamed. Of course Candice was tearing up as Joel cleared his throat.

“And that is what young passion and love does to a couple,” Joel said after a few awkward moments of silence.

I turned around in my seat and lowered my eyes to the tablecloth. Holy crap. I had just made out with Adrian in front of his entire family and if it hadn’t been for them, I would have let him do me on the table.

You little slut.

Dinner resumed after Marcus, thank the Lord, stated that he was fucking hungry, turning the attention off of Adrian and I when Candice scolded him for swearing at the table.

But even though all eyes were off me, I still felt as red as a beet. Because now there was a fire burning deep within me, an ache that only Adrian could satisfy. And I was pretty sure he felt the same way too because all throughout dinner he was shifting awkwardly in his seat and breathing a little too heavily for just passing the mashed potatoes.

As I ate my food, I slyly pl
aced my hand on his thigh and watched as he went as still as a board before casually picking up his fork and pushing his food around his plate.

I smiled at Gabe and said something I can’t even remember as I palmed his cock. His eyelashes fluttered as his nostrils flared.
Stroke.
His mouth opened slightly.
Stroke.
His breathing hitched.
Stroke.
His fingers flexed.
Stroke.
His fork clattered on the plate.

And then suddenly he was pushing back from the table and striding away. Once more
, all eyes were on me, so I gave everyone a small smile, explaining that Adrian wasn’t feeling well before excusing myself and following him out the back door.

“Adrian, wait,” I called out as I ran after him. The moon sat high in the sky, it’s light uninhibited by clouds. A million little stars blinked down at me as I finally caught up with him.

He was bent over near a large pine tree in the backyard, his hands resting on his thighs as he gulped down air.