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Christian's eyes fluttered open slowly as he awoke, the distinct feel of a body laying beside him - in his arms, in fact.
Trish... It all came rushing back to him. He'd been unable to sleep, plagued by thoughts of her and of their past. Also, he'd been haunted by his recent actions against her. It had been killing him inside that he'd ever actually hurt her. He'd never wanted to do that, not physically or otherwise. Not to her... *Never* her. He loved her. She was truly his soulmate. He'd known that for a long time, but last night had confirmed and cemented it.
At the moment, she appeared to be sound asleep. She looked like an angel, her long blond hair falling in soft wings across her beautiful, peaceful face. Her breathing was deep and regular.
They were both naked beneath the blanket, and Christian could see their discarded garments just beyond the bed, scattered on the floor. Her delicate robe and nightgown were in a graceful pool, her fancy black slippers about a foot away from them.
She was in his arms once again - after all this time. A tiny smile crossed Christian's lips as he acknowledged that. And this time, he wasn't going to let her slip away from him. Hell, he wasn't strong enough to let her go even if he tried - not that he *wanted* to.
The blond man gazed down into her sleeping face, an urge hitting him. she looked so much like a lovely princess that he couldn't resist. And so, he leaned down and gently placed his lips on hers, kissing her.
She began to awaken. To Christian, it was just like something out of a fairy tale. Or at least that was what he wanted to believe...
Trish opened her eyes slowly, a hint of initial disorientation on her face, but then she met his eyes as she turned over.
And it all came rushing back to her.
"Ch-Christian?" Her voice was slurred with sleepiness.
"I'm here, Trish..."
The little blonde squinted in the slight brightness of the room, the sunlight filtering in through the curtains on the window.
She turned to fully face him, searching his expression, his eyes, as though to tell her something. It wasn't that she'd forgotten what had happened, what they'd done, but...
Oh, God... She never should have allowed it to happen. She never should have come here to his hotel room the night before, but she couldn't help it. Besides, her conscience wouldn't give her a moment's peace.
Without a word, the blonde diva slipped from the bed. She noticed her clothing instantly and bent at the knees to retrieve them from the floor.
Christian watched her longingly, his gaze staying on her lovely form and every tiny movement she made. She was like a golden goddess. But then, as she slipped the robe over her shoulders and then her dainty feet into her slippers, he took note of the anxiety on her face.
"Trish?" he said softly. Why did he feel a sudden, unpleasant knot twisting his stomach?
"I'm sorry, Christian," she stammered. "I really have to be going." There was a slight quaver in her voice, one the blond man didn't like at all.
"Are you okay?" He practically jumped up from the bed, not the least bit aware of his nudity until the woman's gaze swept over his body - until she tore her eyes away.
Why was she suddenly acting so cold and distant?
"I just... I have to go," she spoke. Then, turning back toward him, she continued, anguish or something like it in those big brown eyes of hers. "I'm so sorry, Christian - but last night really never should have happened."
Ice cold horror gripped the blond man's very soul. He recognized this feeling - it was exactly identical to the way he'd felt years ago, the first time she'd walked out on him.
"No," he said with despair. "No, Trish, you can't-"
"I'm sorry, Christian," she repeated, keeping her back to him so he wouldn't see the moisture welling up in her eyes. "I've got to go." Then, before he could stop her in any way, the little blonde rushed to the door.
Trish's tears spilled down over her cheeks as she briskly made her way down the hall - where
she knew she would completely lose control.