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*Present time*
'Oh God...'
The two words echoed in Amy's thoughts repeatedly as she pulled her clothing back on. Her hands reached up to smooth her hair as well, and she watched Adam with a mixture of emotions and thoughts swirling through her brain.
She couldn't believe what had just happened between them... She was married. And to his best friend, no less. She knew, without question, that she was in love with Adam... but it shouldn't have happened this way, or now! How was she going to move on with her life after *this*?
The tall blond man finished dressing as well, pulling up the zipper on his jeans as he finished. He felt the redhead's gaze on him, and when he turned to meet her eyes, he found her looking down - as though she'd watched him as he'd pulled up his fly.
She flushed a bright red. Her eyes widened, however, as he suddenly edged closer to her again, his arms wrapping around her slender waist. She held her breath, her eyes closing at the feel of being in his arms - and then he lowered his head and placed his lips on hers to give her the softest, most tender, heart-filled, passionate kiss. The sheer intensity of it was enough to make her collapse. And dear God, she was in far deeper trouble than she'd thought.
Amy knew that, without question, she was in the most difficult dilemma of her entire life - because she knew that now, after what had happened between them, she would *never* be able to let him go... married or not.
Her breath left her in a shudder. His lips, his eyes, his voice, his hands... Everything about him left her weak and trembling.
"I really do love you," the tall blond man spoke. Some regret was coursing through him as he glimpsed the shiny wedding band and engagement ring on her finger. He swallowed hard. Damn it, why did things always have to be so difficult?
She was his soulmate, the one woman he was *meant* to be with and who was meant to be with *him*. And yet, once again, fate had dealt them another hand of heartache. If only she wasn't married, wasn't with Jay... If only he hadn't been so blind and hadn't been thinking with the wrong head when he'd gone for Torrie. It was all enough to drive him mad.
She was gazing up at him with those lovely hazel eyes. God, how he could lose himself in those orbs. She was so breathtakingly beautiful. However, at the very moment, she seemed about to cry.
"I love you, too," she managed. However, as she spoke, she tried to avert her gaze. It was no easy task, as she felt her eyes almost magnetically drawn to his. She *couldn't* look away. "But this... Oh, God, how are we-"
He hushed her with another kiss, his lips pressing firmly to hers. His large, warm hands came up to cup her cheeks, tilting her head at a more suitable angle. He felt her stiffen but then relax, releasing a soft sigh as she responded. The feeling of that made him want to die.
He knew how conflicted she was feeling, and he wished there were some way to make things completely right. But kissing her didn't feel wrong - nor had being inside of her. God, those things felt more right than anything he could ever imagine. *Loving* her felt more right than anything else.
Finally, and so reluctantly, the redhead pulled back. Her eyes remained closed for a beat as the emotion nearly overwhelmed her.
"You'd better leave now," she said, and he could hear the half-heartedness in her tone. She really *didn't* want him to go - but he knew there was no choice in the matter.
"Okay," he agreed, nodding. His gaze remained locked on hers.
"We'll... talk more tomorrow," Amy said.
"All right." Then, quietly, the tall blond man left the hotel room.
The redheaded diva closed and locked the door behind him, her back going against it. Her breath
left her in a big sigh as her nerves got the better of her.