The Do Over (45 page)

"I'll go with you," Candace said, inching her way out of her seat.

"Please." I waved her off. "I'll be right back."

I made my way down the stairs, holding on to the rail. The crowd was thick. Bodies pressed up against me as I headed to the hallway near the bar. I was relieved to see the entry leading to the bathroom was empty. I needed space.

The hallway was dimly lit. I ran my hand against the black wall for balance, teetering from side to side. A light flashed as the bathroom door opened and two girls walked out. I blinked my eyes, adjusting to the change. I stopped for a moment, breathing slowly, as I willed myself to sober up.

"God, you look amazing," he breathed in my ear from behind me.

My pulse quickened.

"Rick, what are you doing here?" I asked, turning around. I was taken by surprise because I hadn't expected him and because I liked that he was here.

"
Cariño
, why wouldn't I be here? A better question is, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be curled up with a book next to your boyfriend?" He moved closer to me. "Fate must be telling us something." His lips curled into a dimpled smile.

I didn't know what was more intoxicating, his scent or the Cosmos I'd had. I thought of Liam. I loved him, honestly and truly. But, at that moment, I just saw those smoldering eyes and that dimpled smile, taking me back to another time. Beyond better judgment, I found myself wanting this moment. It wouldn't mean anything. It would be over before it started.

Is it fate, serendipity, or coincidence? What is he doing here?
This wasn't part of my plan. I couldn't escape him even though I was trying to. Providence was making this impossible. Whatever resolve I had left was quickly fading. The buzz from the liquor mixed with my curiosity and the mystery behind these encounters created an unbridled yearning. I wasn't thinking of the past, the present, or the future. I was in the moment, and I wanted whatever this was. It would only be a minute, a brief flash in time. Nothing was going to happen.

I blinked my eyes, trying to gain my composure. "I'm here with the girls. My boyfriend, who I happen to love very much, is working."

The gap between us was gone, and his eyes were focused on my mouth. I instinctively licked my lower lip and bit it. He chuckled seductively, causing a tremor to vibrate in my chest. When he brushed the side of my face with the back of his hand, a shiver coursed through my body. My eyes closed at the sensation. When I opened them, his piercing gaze was focused on me.

In a low husky voice, he said, "I'm still no threat…unless you want me to be."

The energy between us was electric. As my eyes lowered to his lips, my mouth parted slightly. I needed to pull away. This was getting too intense.

His other arm wrapped around my waist as he pulled me closer into him. "Daniela, tell me to stop. Tell me to go away, and I will. Just say the word. I'll do whatever you want."

Passion and desire burned inside of me as I gently squeezed my legs, my body longing to feel his touch.

"Tell me what you want. I want you to stop denying what we both know you feel. Stop ignoring what you want…what we both want."

This was the moment I thought I could handle. The erotic passion that flowed between us was overwhelming. I wanted him to take me right there. I knew he could. He could slide up my dress and fuck me against the wall. I remembered what it had felt like to have his head buried in my neck as his dick entered me. As I thought about him touching me, my eyes fluttered, and I gasped. This was so wrong.

I closed my eyes and pushed him back. Looking away, I straightened my dress. Trembling, I said, "Rick, we've both had too much to drink. Please. We can't do this. I love Liam. I would never do anything to hurt him. You need to stop."

He leaned in and kissed my cheek, grazing the corner of my lip. "You're right. I'm so sorry. I got carried away. Please forgive me." He sounded sincere. He ran his hands through his hair as he glanced away. Looking back at me, he said, "I value our friendship. It was a slip-up. I'm sorry. When I saw you here, I remembered another time. Please don't be mad at me." He lowered his head and pouted. He slipped his hands into mine.

"I'm not mad at you." My heart beat loudly. "But this can't happen."

"When I see you, it's like how we used to be." He laced his fingers in mine. "Don't you feel it, too?"

When I looked away, he moved in closer, pressing his body into mine.

"It's wrong," I mumbled.

"
Cariño
, let's make it right. I'll do whatever you want," he whispered in my ear. "Think about it. Fate brought us back together. Stop fighting it."

The moment had quickly turned into a mistake. Letting go of his hands, I cupped his face, looking in his eyes. "Why are you doing this?" I didn't want to know. My head was spinning, and my body was craving his touch. I had to get away. "My friends are going to wonder what's taking me so long." I closed my eyes and then I slowly opened them. "I love him."

"Go." He brought my hands to his mouth and kissed them.

My legs were wobbly as I moved slowly away from him.

"Daniela."

I looked back over my shoulder.

"Just think about it."

I walked away and hid in the bathroom. Behind the closed door of a stall, my body trembled as I throbbed, longing for his touch. I couldn't shake off the feeling of Rick's presence. I felt him on me and in me. His scent lingered on me, causing a shiver of desire to shoot through me. I was desperate for release. My legs were pressed tightly together as my heart pulsed wildly.

When I closed my eyes, I saw Liam's adoring face. My head dropped to my hands. This was all so wrong. I needed to stop. I thought I'd wanted that moment with Rick, but then I didn't.
Am I fighting the inevitable? How can I love Liam so much but want Rick so badly?
My head was spinning.

"Dani, are you in here?" Candace asked.

"I'm over here," I said, opening the door. "I need to go home. I don't feel good."

She came over to me and helped me to the sink. I splashed some water on my face and then stood there, looking at the reflection. The pendant Liam had given me sat perfectly over my heart.

"I meant it when I said I was back. I'm here for you." Candace rubbed my back.

I smiled flatly. "Thanks. I need to go home."

She turned me gently toward her. Her delicate hands rested on my arms. "Has Liam done something?" Her eyes were searching for the truth I was hiding.

"Liam is too good for me." I turned away and walked to the door. "I'll meet you out front. Can you bring my purse? I need some fresh air."

"Dani?"

"Candace, Liam is wonderful and perfect. I've had too much to drink. I'm having a low self-esteem moment. Stop trying to be my mother. Everything will be back to wonderful in the morning."

I kicked off my shoes as I walked through the door, heading straight for the bedroom. I didn't have the energy to get out of the dress. I sat on the bedroom floor, hugging my knees, as I rocked back and forth. I had too much to drink.

Oh my god, what was I thinking?
I had been five seconds away from becoming a lying, cheating whore. As I looked around the dimly lit room, my stomach turned. After I grabbed my phone, I crawled to the bathroom and propped my head over the toilet.

What have I been reduced to?
When my body heaved, I tasted the vileness of my actions. Tears streamed down my face as the secrets spewed from my body. The lies by omission choked me. I gasped as my body convulsed, the reflex constricting my stomach. I couldn't take any more of it.

What if Madison was right?
She couldn't be right. She was wrong. I loved Liam, but maybe it wasn't over with Rick.

I stood up and stared at my pale reflection. My mascara had streaked down my face. I rinsed my mouth out and washed my face.

My phone rang, startling me. The emotion storming in my soul erupted into a fresh stream of tears. I wiped my face with the back of my hand.

"Hello?" I answered, making my way to the bed.

"Baby, are you okay? You sound like you're crying," Liam said with concern. "Chris sent me a text to check up on you. Something about you being sick."

"I'm fine. I just had too much to drink," I lied again, sort of. "Please don't worry about me. You should be sleeping."

"Why are you crying?" he asked lovingly.

"I had a rough day. Madison said some hurtful things. Macy and Candace ganged up on me. I'm about to get my period. Mix in four Cosmos, and I'm an emotionally hormonal mess. Just ignore me and go to sleep."

"I love you. I hate it when you cry. Your smile's too beautiful to hide behind tears." He paused. "We'll talk about what happened with your friends when I get home."

"Liam, I love you so much. I do. I really do." I clutched his pillow to my chest.

"I know. I love you, too. I can stay on the phone with you until you fall asleep. I want you to have sweet dreams."

"You're my dream come true, Liam. Now, don't worry about me and go to sleep. I'm fine. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night. I love you."

"I love you, too."

I was emotionally exhausted. I crawled under the covers and fell fast asleep.

The next morning, I woke up when I felt the bed dip. His loving arms wrapped around me. I rolled toward him, staring into his beautiful blue eyes.

He caressed my face, smiling. "Good morning, beautiful."

Reaching my arms around him, I hugged him for dear life. "Beautiful? I've got bed head and morning breath."

He pulled back, tucking my hair behind my ears. He brought his lips to my mouth. "Don't you dare talk shit about the woman I love. You're beautiful."

When my lips parted in a smile, he kissed me with love, passion, desire, and possession.

His love was so real, so deep, and so passionate.

I was suffocating in my deceit.

Martini Bar was packed for New Year's Eve. When I saw Bruce at the bar, he motioned with his head that Madison was in the back. We were going to celebrate tonight. Meeting her was a godsend. She'd created the right amount of doubt in Daniela's head and then told me where she would be the other night. I was a little behind schedule, but considering the big picture, I couldn't complain. Everything was falling into place.

I weaved through the crowd and walked down the long familiar corridor. Madison's door was slightly opened, and I pushed it back all the way. Wearing my black Hugo Boss suit and a crisp white button-down shirt, I leaned against the doorway as I watched her. She was standing behind her desk, shuffling papers. Maddy was rocking a little black sequin dress. When I cocked my head to the side, I saw that her dress didn't go much lower than her ass. Maddy was on the prowl tonight.

When she looked up at me, her expression changed completely. "What are you doing here, Rick?" she asked, placing her hands on the desk for support.

The bracelet I had given to her for Christmas dangled on her wrist as her blonde hair cascaded down the front of her dress.

"Well, Maddy, it's New Year's. You're here, so I'm here," I said, stating the obvious. "By the way, you look beautiful tonight." I winked.