Page 38 of Her Only Hero

I brushed his cheek. “You are being too nice. You should’ve charged me with assault.” I traced his lips with my finger, and he gently took the tip between his teeth. I smiled and inched closer until bare skin touched bare skin. Heat transferred, and energy pulsed between us.

Patrick glanced at the handcuffs on the night table.

“No. We don’t need those,” I said.

“Sure?”

I nodded.

In a swift motion, he pulled the covers away and rolled to hover over me. His kisses devoured hungrily, even after last night. How could that be? Never mind. I would not question it, just go with it.

From the night table, the tinny sound of Patrick’s phone alarm sounded. He appeared not to hear it, but then pulled away to look at his phone.

“I hadn’t realized the time.” He sighed. “We should get ready.”

“If we must,” I said and kissed him on the nose. We shifted and got on our feet. I went over to my travel bag and rummaged through limited clothing choices.

“Want to jump in the shower first?” he said.

“No, go ahead. I have to sort things here,” I said.

“I won’t be long,” he said and disappeared into the hallway.

Today’s outfit would be a soft pink tunic and paisley printed jeans. I placed the items on the chair in the room's corner and started making the bed. My phone beeped with a text message from an unfamiliar number. I clicked on it, and my heart leapt.

—Good morning, June. This is Aram. I hope you don’t mind, but I asked Vinny for your number. He said you’d be in later, but I want to make sure you’re okay. Maybe yesterday was too much for you.—

I read the message again. No, this wasn’t cool.

Patrick entered the bedroom wearing a towel around his waist. I logged out from the text screen and tossed the phone on the bed.

“I put out a fresh bath sheet and facecloth for you.” He opened his closet. “Hear from anyone?”

“What? No, just checking my emails. I’ll go shower now.”

Once in the bathroom, I shut the door and collected my thoughts. Aram’s unexpected text startled me. But what I found most disturbing was my reaction to it. I’d lied. My heart pounded. My past relationship with Aram loomed over me like a dark heavy cloud.

I squeezed toothpaste onto my toothbrush. There was a firm knock on the door, and I jumped like a jittery squirrel.

“June, want eggs and toast?”

“Sounds wonderful,” I said.

Absently, I looked at my reflection in the mirror, thinking of my situation. I had hesitated too long. It was time to clear the air. Patrick would probably never feel the same way about me again.And he may never trust me again. But before we went any farther in our relationship, he had to know the truth. I had had an affair with a married man. He had been separated at the time, but I should have stayed away, nonetheless. And that man had been Aram.

The timing would never be right, but I couldn’t bear to keep this secret about my spotty character any longer. I wouldn’t leave this house until I told Patrick what I had done. I was ready for his reaction, which would probably be in the range from disappointment to breakup.

I joined him in the kitchen as he took orange juice from the fridge. I eased myself onto a chair at the table.

“Thank you for breakfast,” I said, but I didn’t reach for my fork.

“No problem. Juice?”

“Sure,” I said, and he poured me a glass. I took a sip.

Patrick hadn’t started eating yet. He looked at me as if he was assessing a motor vehicle accident, and I was the mangled metal. I shifted in my chair. Seconds felt long, and awkwardness hung in the air. He sensed my solemn mood.

I nibbled on a wedge of toast, mentally preparing for my confession. “Patrick, I need to tell you about a past relationship.”

---