Chapter Five

Sacha

Noisy people in the hallway jarred me awake with a start. Sunlight edged the dark curtains of the motel room, and I had to blink to focus. My head was pounding. There was a churning sensation in my stomach, and for a moment thought I might be sick. I sat up, only then recalling I wasn't alone.

He was tangled in the sheets and snoring lightly. There's something about a naked man wrapped in a white bedsheet, especially a hot, Viking-ish one. I studied him like one would a strange, beautiful creature in a zoo, wanting to remember every detail later.

His blond hair stuck out in tufts and his broad shoulders rose and fell with his soft breathing. He hugged the pillow like a child with a teddy bear. I smiled. His strong, muscular back and sculpted arms were all grown-up man, but asleep he was like an innocent child.

Well, not so innocent. Reminders of his prowess lingered on my lips, which were bruised from hard kisses and irritated from his beard. The things his lips and tongue had done… I'd never forget. I was still wet between my legs.

Like, weirdly wet. And sore.

A fragment of a dream flashed through my alcohol-muddled mind. Being taken by some fierce warrior, grabbing my breast, breathing his hot breath on my neck. Had it been a dream? If so, it was a realistic one. But we had both been a little drunk. I could hardly recall getting from the bar to my room. It had to have been a dream because I did remember Gibson saying something about not having condoms.

Then it hit me.

We had made love, in every way. Too bad I could only recall fragments of it because I had the sense it was enjoyable. Even so, it was probably not what we should have done. I looked over at my snoring companion and sighed.

"Too late for regret now."

I doubted there would be any complications from this, except for maybe some guilt. I had just finished my period two days earlier, and since Kevin the Fruitful hadn't been able to get me knocked up after a year of trying, I wasn't worried about getting pregnant.

Naked, I slipped out of bed and carefully walked to the bathroom. There were circles under my eyes, and my mouth felt like I'd been chewing on sandpaper. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and donned a robe. When I came out, my guest was up and making coffee.

"Good morning, you."

His smile was bright, so despite my still-pounding head, I smiled back. "Good morning. Sleep well?"

"Like the dead. I always do when I've been drinking whiskey. Puts me out cold."

"I was out pretty heavy myself. Must be the mountain air."

He poured some coffee and handed me a cup. While we finished dressing, an awkward silence ensued. What do you say to a stranger the morning after? If there was some sort of protocol, I couldn't recall.

Gibson cleared his throat so I looked up at him. He set the coffee mug on the desk and buckled his belt. "Well, I guess you need to be getting on, so I'll be out of your hair."

"Well, yes. I need to get home. Have to check out soon."

We stared at each other for a moment, and then he opened his arms wide.

"A hug? It was a wonderful night."

I crossed the room and fell into his arms. It was a good hug, not exciting like on the dance floor, but friendly and warm. "Yes, it was."

He released me but stood still like he had more to say. He was gorgeous, but the sooner he left, the better. The last thing I wanted was to start wondering where he was or what he was doing. I had no place in my life for a man.

He moved toward the door then turned back to me. "I would say I'll call you, but that wouldn't be fair."

I felt my mouth drop open. Heat infused my cheeks, and the last of the hangover fled as my temper soared. What an ass.

"Not if you don't mean it. And that's rather presumptuous of you. Who said I expected to see you again?"

Now his mouth was open. When he found his voice, he stammered. "I didn't mean it like that. I was simply being honest. I didn't want you to get the wrong idea. I'm not ready to see anyone, even though I think you're awesome."

I could not contain my sarcasm. "Well, thanks for the compliment. And I know what a one-night stand is. I also know when someone is being a dick. So, bye-bye, so long. Farewell."

His face was pained again, like it had been last night. His deep blue eyes had a downward tilt to them, making him look like a sad puppy. I ignored it and opened the door for him.

He paused. "I'm sorry if I upset you. Good luck with your work."

Once he was in the hallway, I slammed the door.

After a shower, some aspirin, and two cups of coffee, I was feeling human again. I also felt bad about how our time together ended. He had seemed so nice last night. Had I overreacted? Had guilt prompted my bad temper at his words?

After all, he was just being honest. I knew what he'd said was true. But who wanted the truth after a drunken night of lust?

Better to chalk it up to experience and move on.

Once I checked out, I said goodbye to Tilly, Georgia. Somehow, I sensed a new chapter of my life was beginning.

~*~