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A slow grin spread across Adam's face as he looked over the beautiful woman sitting beside him.
He was downing another scotch on the rocks, which Dawn Marie was daintily sipping a white wine. They'd been here for awhile, the pretty brunette pretty much chatting his ear off.
Although the woman was, without a doubt, a distraction, the tall blond man couldn't get a certain other woman off his mind.
He still couldn't believe Amy had basically told him to take a hike, get lost. She wanted to be alone with Jay... With *Jay*, when *they* had been getting along so great lately! He'd honestly thought the redhead and himself had made a real connection! How could she just cast him aside like that? Damn it... Ordinarily, he would *never* allow a woman to get to him like this - Amy Dumas was different... She was special, and she was in his heart. And damn if it didn't sting like hell that she'd told him she and Jay wanted to be alone.
"Hey, are you okay, hon?"
The Canadian blinked and he glanced to his left as he returned to reality. Dawn Marie had placed one small, soft hand on his arm and was gazing at him with concern in her big brown eyes. The way she was looking at him spoke volumes. Evidently, he wasn't as good at concealing his emotions as he thought. Then again, this was about Amy - anyone or anything else, and he wouldn't have any trouble doing that.
"Yeah," he said, raising his free hand to rake his fingers through his long blond hair. It distressed him that he was apparently so transparent. He guessed if it had anything to do with anyone other than Amy, that wouldn't be the case.
He straightened up a bit in his barstool, turning slightly to fully face her. A small, sly grin played at his lips as he eyed the woman appreciatively, seductively licking his lips as he did so.
"You know, Dawn... You're really quite stunning."
The brunette smiled widely, flushing with pride rather than embarrassment at the compliment.
"Why, thank you, Adam," she said softly, her brown eyes sparkling. She took another couple of small, dainty sips of her wine.
The tall blond man kept his gaze on her, making certain that she would notice. Damn that Jay - if he was going to take his girl away, he'd be sure not to wallow - and he'd damn sure have fun elsewhere if Amy was unavailable to him.
And that was exactly what he planned to do with Dawn Marie.
In a move so quick and brass the diva barely had time to react, Adam leaned over and kissed her flush on the lips. He made a small, soft sound of satisfaction as she began to respond in kind, but then, she pulled back.
"Whoa..." she exclaimed, a sort of nervous smile dominating her face as she eyed him. "Aren't you with Amy now?"
Adam managed not to wince or display any of his true emotions on that subject.
"As a matter of fact, no. I *did* try to start something up with her, but she wasn't interested."
Dawn Marie gave him a strange look, as though finding his words odd. The expression on her face softened when, a heartbeat later, the blond man's hand was at her chin, tipping her head up a bit.
"Anyway..." he began. "All things considered, I hope you don't mind if I kiss you again."
The brunette beamed as she stared up at him.
"Not a chance..."