One Night Only

Chapter 14

Wearing sunglasses and my earbuds, I exit the hotel with my bags. The first thing I notice is the change in seating arrangements. Dominic is in the front passenger seat and Mandy is in the middle of the third row next to Dominic's friend, leaving me isolated in the back corner behind Bryant. The ride to the airport is short and uneventful but I feel awkward around the group. They all know. I'm just another one of the house whores. Pushing my thoughts aside, I follow the group through the airport and onto the plane. Accepting a blanket from the flight attendant, I curl up on my seat and listen to my music until an earbud is pulled out of my ear. "I shouldn't have to chase you," Owen says. "I'm not the one in the wrong."

"So don't," I say, putting my earbud back in its place.

He pulls it out again. "Why the fuck are you mad at me?"

"I'm not," I say, putting it back in my ear.

This time he pulls the cord so both earbuds come out. "Will you just fucking talk to me?" he asks, exasperated. "Just because I was pissed doesn't mean I want this to be over."

I stare out the window. "I'd hate to be an embarrassment to you."

He exhales deeply. "That's why your mad?" he asks softly. "We all say shit we don't mean when we're angry. Trust me, I get an earful from you every time I piss you off."

"I'm mad because it was a mistake and I was drunk. Don't you think if I wanted to be with him I would have been with him already?" I ask. "We're good friends. Nothing more. I know I did wrong but I can't take it back."

"Then let's forget it ever happened," he suggests.

I stare at him doubtfully. "You won't let it go that easy."

"I trust Dominic," he says.

"But you don't trust me," I whisper.

He sighs, shrugging. "He was honest about it. And he knows I'd fucking kill him if he ever made a pass at you."

I spin the ring around my finger beneath the blanket. "What's a relationship without trust?"

He groans. "We'll trust each other with time. Things are just crazy right now because the wedding is coming up. Everything is going to be okay." When I don't respond he frowns. "You do still want to get married, don't you?"

I look out the window. "I don't know."

Silence fills the space between us as the plane takes off. The clouds are dark as drops of water begin to shower the plane. Closing my eyes, I try not to think about all of our issues but it's too hard not to. The aisles are dimly lit and only a few people in each section have their lights on. The flight attendants walk around offering pillows and blankets since it's over a five hour flight back home. "Mind if we share a blanket?" Owen asks quietly.

I give him the other end of the blanket and he pulls it over his arms. Closing my eyes, I lay back to relax. A moment later I feel his hand on my thigh. I ignore it until he pulls my leg over his. Glancing over at him, I notice his eyes are shut. Shaking my head, I lay back and close my eyes. He moves around beside me but I keep my eyes shut. He removes his hand from my thigh but a moment later I feel it at the waistband of my sweatpants. My eyes pop open and he's biting his lip. "You look sexy even in sweatpants."

In the back of my mind I know what he's going to do but I hope he doesn't. Not here, sureounded by all of these people. The wicked gleam in his eyes tells me he would and is planning to. Swallowing, I glance around before looking into his eye. "No."

"What?" he asks, as if he hadn't heard me.

His fingertips slip beneath my waistband as his tongue slowly caresses his lips. "Owen, no."

I push his hand away, removing my leg from his. Sighing, he runs his fingers through his hair. "I don't know what to fucking do with you anymore."

Putting my earbuds back in, I pull the blanket over me and close my eyes. Maybe we need a little distance from each other. We're moving so fast that I can't seem to keep up with everything. I feel drained.

Hours pass before they announce the plane is about to land. I slept most of the way but I still feel exhausted. It is still dark here but I know the sun will be out soon. I stretched in my seat as we make contact with the ground. Once we get our bags, the flight attendants allow each row to exit one at a time. Mandy carries Bryant who is asleep and the others linger behind. An unfamiliar man stands beside the SUV, taking my bag. I climb into the back seat and Owen unexpectedly follows. He puts his arm around me and I reluctantly lean against him. I'm so confused but that doesn't change my feelings for him. The others begin filling the vehicle as he places his hand on my cheek. "Madison, I love you."

"I love you too," I admit softly.

"Look at me," he whispers. My eyes meet his and I know I'm a goner. "I love you and a minor mistake could never change that. I forgive you, just make sure it doesn't happen again. I do trust you... it's just odd for me to express because I trust a very small group of people."

This is what I needed. I needed him to forgive me. To trust me. Leaning in, he presses his lips softly to mine. I can't believe we wasted a day in paradise fighting. Now we're back to reality and it didn't seem worth it at all. His tongue slips between my lips, slowly exploring my mouth as if it were the first time. The car begins moving but it doesn't stop us. I'll never stop wanting him.

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