Chapter 46

Evie

Fireworks fill my vision and every last thought vanishes from my mind.

Am I dreaming?

I moan, uncurling my toes. I've been kissing Adam for what feels like all day but is probably five mind-altering minutes. I open my eyes. Only wisps of a lingering, druggy fog remain.

Adam's blue-gray eyes are smiling at me. "Good morning, beautiful . . . Ronna."

Hearing another woman's name from a man in my bed shakes me back to reality. I pull away, holding tight to the top sheet, and sit up, my back against the headboard.

Adam picks up on the instant change in the air. "Are you okay?"

"What are you doing in my bed?" I ask, my voice husky with the morning. I might sound a bit accusatory.

Adam's face scrunches up in confusion. "I know you were very tired last night but don't you remember?"

I suck in my lips, unsure how to answer. If we did something intimate together, wouldn't I remember? Would telling him I have no recollection be hurtful?

"You don't remember." He says it this time as a statement.

I shake my head.

"Wow."

"I accidentally took the wrong pills last night. Two strong sleeping pills."

It's like a light bulb goes off. Adam laughs. "Well, that sure explains a lot. I could barely keep you vertical."

I'm not sure what to make of his light-heartedness. At least he doesn't seem offended. "Um, did we?—"

Once again, Adam seems to pick up on my vibe. He turns serious. "No, Evie. As much as I would have loved to. But one thing you can be sure of, when we do, you won't forget it."

Whenwe do. He said, when!

I'm ecstatic even as I'm suddenly self-conscious. When was the last time I colored my hair? Are my wrinkles more obvious this close up?

I feel a flush creep up my face which I know is odd given I'm already in bed with little on and just kissed the man. For five whole blissful minutes.

"What happened, then?"

Adam brushes a cowlick from his forehead and leans on a bent elbow. "There was some mistake with the booking. They only had one room for us. You were barely coherent. I made the executive decision to stay rather than find another hotel. You collapsed the moment we got to the room."

He gestures around the sparse space. "As you can see, there isn't much in the way of furniture, let alone a second bed. It was the floor, the tub, or the bed for me."

It's bizarre to not remember anything at all. "I see. You made the right decision. But?—"

He pushes up and sits beside me. "What is it?"

"Where are my clothes?"

Adam appears to be holding back a grin. "As I recall, at some point in the middle of the night you mumbled something about needing the bathroom. When you came back you were wearing . . . less. Then you snuggled up to me."

I'm mortified. I make a mental note to toss out the remaining pills.

Adam says, "In fairness, I guess I scooted myself during the night. Sorry."

He looks anything but sorry.

"And the kiss?"

"What can I say? There is a beautiful woman in bed with me, suddenly awake, her lips a millimeter from mine. I am human, after all. Again, sorry."

This time, I hold back a smile. "Okay, the interrogation is over. Thanks for, you know, not?—"

Adam frowns. "I would never?—"

"I know," I whisper.

We stare at each other for a beat. The pull to go back to our previous lip-locked position is intense. That half-awake kiss was one for the books. If I don't get out of the bed, we're likely to stay here all day.

"Can you turn around please?" I ask. A silly request given he's seen me in my underwear twice, the first time, floating in his pool. But he does as I ask.

I locate my bag, find what I seek and scramble to the bathroom for a much-needed shower and toothbrushing. I wish I'd done those things in my delirium in the middle of the night.

When I emerge, Adam takes his turn washing up. After leaving the room, we grab breakfast in the hotel dining room, an elegant space with gloved waiters. Omelets are served on fine china, fresh-squeezed juice in crystal stemware.

Adam is quite the conundrum. A mountain man with champagne tastes.

It's not yet eight a.m. when we hit the road once more, two to-go cups of steaming hot coffee in the holders between us.

Adam fires up the Honda's engine. "Next state, Colorado."