Pretender

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Dawn Marie lay very still on her back, her eyes wide open and staring at the ceiling.

She couldn't believe what she'd done - what they'd done... And she felt practically numb for it.

Damn it... Although she'd said she'd 'basically broken up with Test,' the truth was that she hadn't officially broken it off with him... And now, she'd gone and pretty much become just as bad as him.

But then she had to tell herself, no, not just as bad... She'd been feeling like crap, because Test was nothing but a lying, cheating dog. On top of that - as if it weren't bad enough - he'd resorted to physical violence. The bastard deserved her to cheat on him!

Then why did she feel so low, so cheap? So much like a slut...?

Sighing softly, the brunette raised her arm - brushing it against Sean O'Haire, who still and beside her - in the process.

Oh, God... She just wanted to pretend he was no longer there. And yet, she felt awful, because she'd pretty much used him...

At the movement the diva had made, O'Haire rolled over so that he was on his right side, facing her.

Dawn Marie felt the man's fingertip suddenly tracing over her bare arm, and she felt even more guilty.

Quickly, she turned her head away from him, not wanting the dark-haired man to see the expression on her face.

To make matters worse, Sean suddenly placed his lips on her shoulder, kissing her there. The gesture was so intimate, it hurt her heart.

She felt like such complete shit...

As O'Haire moved his lips to her face, Dawn let out a slightly muffled moan as she tried to move away.

"Sean...No...please..."

The muscular, shaggy-haired man paused, a brow arched as he gazed down into her face. And only then did he take note of the unhappy expression she wore.

"What is it?"

"I don't..." She rose from the bed and began to gather up her clothing from the floor as he watched her. As she began dressing, she continued.

"I can't do this...I'm so sorry..."

Sean eyed her silently, his blue-gray eyes steady and unwavering. He could definitely understand... Dawn Marie was regretting having sex with him. He figured she would have experienced feelings of guilt eventually, but not so soon. But it wasn't so much of a surprise that she felt this way, seeing as she was a good person with a conscience.

Test definitely didn't deserve her... But what a lucky man...

The brunette, finished now with her task of dressing, slowly and reluctantly shifted her brown eyes Sean's way. She truly felt lousy about everything. It would never be her intention to use anyone.

"Don't let it concern yourself..." O'Haire finally spoke, his gaze strong as he met her eyes. "You were upset, and understandably so..." He rose and came to stand before her, so close he could feel her warm breath on his face.

Sean raised a hand and placed it against Dawn Marie's cheek.

"Go on...I understand...And no hard feelings..."

The brunette swallowed hard, wincing as she absorbed his words. She really felt bad, and even more so because she truly did like Sean O'Haire. Why did things have to be this way?

Then, shaking the dire thoughts from her head, she nodded, backing away, then let herself out.









Part 10

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