Gone

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Amy bit her lip as she strode down the arena hallway. She'd left Mandy with her Uncle Jeff, the colorful-haired young man giving her sort of a strange look as she'd slunk off, offering no explanation.

She couldn't help feeling like a thief as she made her way down the corridor, her thoughts on one person, and on one thing. They'd talked about meeting earlier in the night, and now was her chance.

The redhead glanced around quickly, her heart thumping as she approached his locker room. No one seemed to be watching or paying her any attention. And so, facing forward, she raised her hand, her knuckles rapping lightly against the door.

In seconds, the locker room door opened, and he held it just enough for her to slip inside. He shut it behind her, his green eyes fixed intensely on her hazel as he reached down and locked it, then in an instant, they were in one another's embrace. Adam lowered his head, capturing her lips in a fiercely passionate kiss, his tongue hot and demanding as it penetrated her mouth.

Amy was already breathing heavily as she held fast to him, her left hand gripping his right bicep hard, her right up in his long blond hair. She kissed him back with equal fervor, all her heart and soul in it as she tilted her head up a bit more as she spiraled her tongue around his, nearly losing her breath as she felt his hands roaming over her body.

The blond man tugged at her shirt, a soft moan escaping him as he rubbed his lower body against her. God, he wanted her. He was already hard inside his blue jeans, and it was becoming increasingly painful in there. He wanted out of them and inside of *her*. Now that he'd again gotten a taste of her, he could never get enough.

Amy twisted slightly, just enough so as to allow him to rid her of her shirt. Her gaze was filled with desire as she gazed up at him, a soft smile crossing his handsome features. The expression on his face was so fiercely tender as he looked down at her that she nearly died. Never had she seen such open longing and love on a man's face directed at her as she saw in his. He loved her. He truly and honestly loved her.

In moments, they were both nude, and Adam backed her gently into the far wall, desire still etched on his face. He dipped his head to kiss her deeply once again, lengthening it to the point that they were both even more turned on and dizzy with passion. He loved kissing her... He never wanted to stop. Reluctantly, he broke the kiss, raising her up in his arms, and she instantly clasped her legs around his waist, gasping as she felt him slip inside of her.

It went on and on, the unbelievable sensations overtaking her as he pumped in and out of her at a pace they both enjoyed. His lips sought hers again, his tongue lapping at her mouth and lips softly, then firmly alternately, and he was tender and affectionate and hotly passionate at the same time. She panted as she felt the orgasm hitting her, then bit her lip to keep from screaming. They couldn't afford to let anyone outside in the hallway hear them.

The tall blond man moaned softly, his lips at her ear as he quickly followed suit, and he collapsed against her and the wall as he emptied himself into her. Her legs stayed firmly wrapped around his waist, drawing him further into her, and he felt like he could just about die right then and there - and do so happily.

They stayed like that for a few minutes afterward, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking. He remained inside of her as he held her firmly in place with his right arm, his left hand coming up to tenderly stroke her hair away from her face. His eyes sparkled as he gazed deeply into hers.

"I love you," he whispered, then moved forward to again press a kiss to her lips.

Moments later, Amy was feeling somewhat empty, guilt coursing through her. It had nothing at all to do with the fact that they were sneaking around and that she was still with another man. It had everything to do with that one little secret she still hadn't gained the courage to tell Adam.

*

*Three Hours Later - Back at the Hotel*

Amy sat numbly on her hotel room bed, her hands twisting uncomfortably in her lap. She couldn't stop shaking as she thought about it, her stomach tied up in knots. She felt downright nauseous and conflicted.

She had to tell him. She *knew* she had to. There was no other choice, and damn it, he deserved to know the truth... So did Mandy.

She was expecting him at any moment - and then there would be no more hiding, no more deceit and keeping of the truth. Her gaze swept across the room, to the door behind which her daughter lay sound asleep, as she'd gotten a tiny suite with adjoining bedrooms. And then, her heart thundered in her chest as she heard the knocking at the door. It was him... He was here.

The redhead rose to answer, and she tried to smile as he entered. She quickly closed and locked the door behind him, feeling slightly faint as she turned and faced the tall blond man. She had to do this... She repeated it in a mantra in her head. This was what she needed to do. She only hoped he wouldn't end up hating her. She didn't know if she could survive with him hating her.

"Hey, babe," he said softly, inching closer to her, his large hands instantly on her face. He gently tilted her head up to gaze into her eyes, noting the expression within. He frowned at the anxiety he saw in those beautiful hazel depths. "What's wrong?"

"I..." She shook her head, her eyes quickly filling with tears. She couldn't take it any longer, couldn't take the guilt, the deception. "... Adam, there's something... There's something I need to tell you."

"Okay..." he said softly, his expression growing serious and concerned as he gently released her. He wondered what on earth could be so upsetting to her that she needed to get off her chest. He moved closer to the bed, sitting down on the edge of it, his hands folding on his knees as he eyed her.

Amy felt faint again, and as though she were about to get downright sick. She swallowed hard, realizing with dismay how very dry her throat had suddenly become. Her eyes, however, were a different story, as twin tears suddenly spilled down her cheeks. Inwardly, she prayed he wouldn't despise her, wouldn't decide he wanted nothing more to do with her. She wouldn't be able to handle that.

Slowly, she lowered herself to sit down beside the blond man, her head bowed. She stared at her hands for a beat as she began.

"Adam, I've been hiding something from you for a long time." She swallowed again, raising her head to meet his eyes, and she saw him wince, tenderness in his own as her tears spilled. "It's... Oh, God. Please don't hate me," she begged, soft sobs finally breaking free.

He reached out, placing a gentle but large hand on her shoulder and in her long red hair that spilled over it.

"I could *never* hate you, Ames... What's wrong? What is it?" he asked softly. "Tell me..."

Her voice was slightly choked after a moment as she spoke again.

"Mandy..."

The Canadian arched a brow in confusion. Had something happened to the little girl?

"What about Mandy?"

"She... She's yours... Adam, Mandy is your daughter..."  
 
 

Part 26

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