1
2
3
4 It Happened One Night
5 Prologue~~~The Morning After
6
7
8
9 She blinked against the morning sunlight streaming in through the floor to ceiling windows, yawning sleepily and stretching her aching limbs in her semi-conscious state.
10
11 A blissful smile curved her lips upward as the sleek silk rustled against her naked skin.
12
13 She loved this dream.
14
15 In her dream world, there were always luxurious silk sheets. And sunlight. Sunlight that poured in through the bedroom windows, painting the body of the man she loved in pale golden tones. Kissing his brow with the beauty of the morning before her lips had a chance.
16
17 She sighed, and her eyes fluttered beneath her drowsy lids as she trailed loving fingers up the flesh of his forearm. Shifting and turning in his embrace while making sure his arm never left her waist. Snuggling against him and tucking her head underneath his chin.
18
19 In his arms she was warm and secure. Happy. And above all else…loved.
20
21 Oh how she hated for the dream to end!
22
23 But she knew all good things must come to an end at some point, and unfortunately, her favorite dream was no exception.
24
25 The clock chimed the early hour, and she distantly wondered…when had her bedside alarm clock been traded in? The clock chimed once more. Seven. It was seven in the morning, she thought with a groan.
26
27 School!
28
29 She had to give a presentation today in her 8 a.m. class! She could NOT be late. She just couldn't. Why hadn't Whitney dragged her out of the bed already and shoved her under the shower's icy spray? She knew how she got after a night out on the town. "You're going to pay, Celeste," she grumbled under her breath.
30
31 It HAD been Celeste's idea to paint the town red in order to MAKE her relax. Actually…it was virtually imperative she relax. She just got so keyed up when she had an oral presentation, and Celeste…well, her fellow classmate looked for ANY reason to go clubbing. And she and Whitney usually got suckered in to making the trip with her—courtesy of Celeste's amazingly real-looking fake ID's, of course.
32
33 SOMEBODY had to be the designated driver.
And besides…it felt good to forget about him. If only for a little while. Noah Bennett had really done a number on her heart.
34 She moaned at the dull pounding in her brain, a reminder that SHE obviously hadn't been the designated driver LAST NIGHT.
35
36 Nope. She didn't get drunk. Just a little tipsy. So why…
37
38 Oh no! Oh, goodness no, her mind whirled as the last vestiges of sleep slowly faded, and she blinked her heavy lids against the suddenly too bright sunlight.
39
40 She DID get drunk! Mama would KILL her!
41
42 Her panic subsided slightly with the realization that she was in New York. Mama was in Harmony with Papa.
43
44 Who said Mama had to find out?
45
46 And wasn't she an adult anyway?
47
48 "That's it, Theresa. You're being ridiculous. Of course, you're an adult," she muttered at the ridiculous notion. Twenty-year-olds were considered adults, right?
49
50 "What?" a masculine voice mumbled. "You say something?"
51
52 She gasped. Going completely still. Completely silent. Her brown eyes wide.
53
54 Getting drunk last night, it seemed, was the least of her worries!
55
56 She peeked between clasped fingers, and her heart started pounding furiously…
57
58 The silk sheets, the man in the bed, her being naked, the whole deal with the sunlight, HER BEING NAKED…it was real.
59
60 IT…WAS…NOT…A…DREAM.
61
62 "Oh no," she squeaked as the arm around her waist tightened. "What have I done?"
63
64 This was so NOT a dream.
65
66 Think, Theresa. Think. What was the last thing she remembered…?
67
68 Blue eyes. His eyes were so blue, she remembered. Brown eyes darting to his boyish face, and shining with disappointment when she found his eyes closed in slumber.
69
70 But first…Celeste dumping her and Whitney AGAIN to go home with 'an old friend.'
71
72 She scoffed silently. She could own up to being terribly naïve sometimes, but she wasn't THAT naïve.
73
74 Whitney flirting with that D.J. That really cute D.J. What was his name again? Cody? Cory? Cha… Anyway…he wasn't half-bad-looking, and it wasn't the norm for Whitney to be so INTERESTED. So she'd made herself scarce.
75
76 And landed right in his lap.
77
78 Literally.
79
80 Exactly what she got for being such a klutz.
81
82 But he was so nice about it, and she found herself enjoying, for the first time since her breakup with Noah, painting the town red.
83
84 They shared a few drinks. Talked about themselves. Well…he was older, more sophisticated, and she didn't want to make a fool of herself, so she scrambled to remember a few pointers Celeste had drilled into her during a particularly boring session with Mr. Pierre. She kept the conversation from steering into something TOO personal.
85
86 Yeah, right. Like that worked, Theresa, she mentally scolded herself. Glancing at her state of undress once more.
87
88 From the looks of things…things got EXTREMELY personal last night, she thought as a blush stole over her body.
89
90 Have…to…get…out…of…this…bed.
91
92 Preferably BEFORE the person possessing this incredibly warm and wonderful-smelling, she thought, sniffing in his masculine cologne, body WOKE up.
93
94 She froze as he sighed in his sleep, but she seized the opportunity when he shifted to escape his arms. Or at least she tried to…
95
96 He rolled back over just as she neared the edge of the bed, and she found a strong male arm thrown across her waist again.
97
98 She closed her eyes tight and waited for the rhythm of his breathing to even out before taking a deep breath and lifting his arm high enough to ease out from under it.
99
100 And fell with a resounding thud on the floor.
101
102 "Ow," she winced as she rubbed her backside. Taking a few seconds before she peered over the edge of the bed.
103
104 Did this guy sleep the sleep of the dead or what?
105
106 She hustled around the spacious bedroom, gathering her scattered clothing in her arms and yanking the first door she came to open.
107
108 Presumably the bathroom.
109
110 Her hand fumbled for a light switch, and she rolled her eyes as she realized she wasn't in the bathroom.
111
112 Her bathroom in the apartment wasn't even half the size of this closet!
113
114 She groaned as the zipper of her dress caught, and no amount of pleading and pulling would un-stick it.
115
116 Feet were shoved into heels too high for daytime, and the door to the closet creaked slightly as she nudged it open and made her great escape.
117
118 His eyes were so blue, she remembered as she tiptoed across the bedroom floor to the OTHER door, hopefully the door leading out of this room AND this whole mess.
119
120 The clock chimed in the hallway as she rushed by, fingers working quickly to unlatch the front door, and finally achieving success, she scampered toward the elevator.
121
122 She took the stairs. Not eager to face the curious gazes of nosy onlookers.
123
124 Had she not been in such a hurry, she might have noticed the fit young blond she very nearly plowed over, and doubtless, she would have apologized profusely.
125
126 But she didn't, and mirthful blue eyes twinkled at John the Doorman, and laughter escaped her lips as she said, "Wow. SHE'S in a real hurry, isn't she? I haven't seen her here before, John. New tenant?"
127
128 John's kindly blue eyes smiled back at the curious woman in front of him as he held the door open for her. "I wouldn't know. I wouldn't know a thing. Enjoy your visit with your nephew, Ms. Crane."
129
130 "Thanks, John," she winked as she bussed his grandfatherly cheek. "I fully plan to. Ethan and I have a lot to catch up on."
131
132 "That you do, Ms. Crane," he muttered under his breath as he watched the young lass climb into the back of a cab. "That you do."
2
3
4 It Happened One Night
5 Prologue~~~The Morning After
6
7
8
9 She blinked against the morning sunlight streaming in through the floor to ceiling windows, yawning sleepily and stretching her aching limbs in her semi-conscious state.
10
11 A blissful smile curved her lips upward as the sleek silk rustled against her naked skin.
12
13 She loved this dream.
14
15 In her dream world, there were always luxurious silk sheets. And sunlight. Sunlight that poured in through the bedroom windows, painting the body of the man she loved in pale golden tones. Kissing his brow with the beauty of the morning before her lips had a chance.
16
17 She sighed, and her eyes fluttered beneath her drowsy lids as she trailed loving fingers up the flesh of his forearm. Shifting and turning in his embrace while making sure his arm never left her waist. Snuggling against him and tucking her head underneath his chin.
18
19 In his arms she was warm and secure. Happy. And above all else…loved.
20
21 Oh how she hated for the dream to end!
22
23 But she knew all good things must come to an end at some point, and unfortunately, her favorite dream was no exception.
24
25 The clock chimed the early hour, and she distantly wondered…when had her bedside alarm clock been traded in? The clock chimed once more. Seven. It was seven in the morning, she thought with a groan.
26
27 School!
28
29 She had to give a presentation today in her 8 a.m. class! She could NOT be late. She just couldn't. Why hadn't Whitney dragged her out of the bed already and shoved her under the shower's icy spray? She knew how she got after a night out on the town. "You're going to pay, Celeste," she grumbled under her breath.
30
31 It HAD been Celeste's idea to paint the town red in order to MAKE her relax. Actually…it was virtually imperative she relax. She just got so keyed up when she had an oral presentation, and Celeste…well, her fellow classmate looked for ANY reason to go clubbing. And she and Whitney usually got suckered in to making the trip with her—courtesy of Celeste's amazingly real-looking fake ID's, of course.
32
33 SOMEBODY had to be the designated driver.
And besides…it felt good to forget about him. If only for a little while. Noah Bennett had really done a number on her heart.
34 She moaned at the dull pounding in her brain, a reminder that SHE obviously hadn't been the designated driver LAST NIGHT.
35
36 Nope. She didn't get drunk. Just a little tipsy. So why…
37
38 Oh no! Oh, goodness no, her mind whirled as the last vestiges of sleep slowly faded, and she blinked her heavy lids against the suddenly too bright sunlight.
39
40 She DID get drunk! Mama would KILL her!
41
42 Her panic subsided slightly with the realization that she was in New York. Mama was in Harmony with Papa.
43
44 Who said Mama had to find out?
45
46 And wasn't she an adult anyway?
47
48 "That's it, Theresa. You're being ridiculous. Of course, you're an adult," she muttered at the ridiculous notion. Twenty-year-olds were considered adults, right?
49
50 "What?" a masculine voice mumbled. "You say something?"
51
52 She gasped. Going completely still. Completely silent. Her brown eyes wide.
53
54 Getting drunk last night, it seemed, was the least of her worries!
55
56 She peeked between clasped fingers, and her heart started pounding furiously…
57
58 The silk sheets, the man in the bed, her being naked, the whole deal with the sunlight, HER BEING NAKED…it was real.
59
60 IT…WAS…NOT…A…DREAM.
61
62 "Oh no," she squeaked as the arm around her waist tightened. "What have I done?"
63
64 This was so NOT a dream.
65
66 Think, Theresa. Think. What was the last thing she remembered…?
67
68 Blue eyes. His eyes were so blue, she remembered. Brown eyes darting to his boyish face, and shining with disappointment when she found his eyes closed in slumber.
69
70 But first…Celeste dumping her and Whitney AGAIN to go home with 'an old friend.'
71
72 She scoffed silently. She could own up to being terribly naïve sometimes, but she wasn't THAT naïve.
73
74 Whitney flirting with that D.J. That really cute D.J. What was his name again? Cody? Cory? Cha… Anyway…he wasn't half-bad-looking, and it wasn't the norm for Whitney to be so INTERESTED. So she'd made herself scarce.
75
76 And landed right in his lap.
77
78 Literally.
79
80 Exactly what she got for being such a klutz.
81
82 But he was so nice about it, and she found herself enjoying, for the first time since her breakup with Noah, painting the town red.
83
84 They shared a few drinks. Talked about themselves. Well…he was older, more sophisticated, and she didn't want to make a fool of herself, so she scrambled to remember a few pointers Celeste had drilled into her during a particularly boring session with Mr. Pierre. She kept the conversation from steering into something TOO personal.
85
86 Yeah, right. Like that worked, Theresa, she mentally scolded herself. Glancing at her state of undress once more.
87
88 From the looks of things…things got EXTREMELY personal last night, she thought as a blush stole over her body.
89
90 Have…to…get…out…of…this…bed.
91
92 Preferably BEFORE the person possessing this incredibly warm and wonderful-smelling, she thought, sniffing in his masculine cologne, body WOKE up.
93
94 She froze as he sighed in his sleep, but she seized the opportunity when he shifted to escape his arms. Or at least she tried to…
95
96 He rolled back over just as she neared the edge of the bed, and she found a strong male arm thrown across her waist again.
97
98 She closed her eyes tight and waited for the rhythm of his breathing to even out before taking a deep breath and lifting his arm high enough to ease out from under it.
99
100 And fell with a resounding thud on the floor.
101
102 "Ow," she winced as she rubbed her backside. Taking a few seconds before she peered over the edge of the bed.
103
104 Did this guy sleep the sleep of the dead or what?
105
106 She hustled around the spacious bedroom, gathering her scattered clothing in her arms and yanking the first door she came to open.
107
108 Presumably the bathroom.
109
110 Her hand fumbled for a light switch, and she rolled her eyes as she realized she wasn't in the bathroom.
111
112 Her bathroom in the apartment wasn't even half the size of this closet!
113
114 She groaned as the zipper of her dress caught, and no amount of pleading and pulling would un-stick it.
115
116 Feet were shoved into heels too high for daytime, and the door to the closet creaked slightly as she nudged it open and made her great escape.
117
118 His eyes were so blue, she remembered as she tiptoed across the bedroom floor to the OTHER door, hopefully the door leading out of this room AND this whole mess.
119
120 The clock chimed in the hallway as she rushed by, fingers working quickly to unlatch the front door, and finally achieving success, she scampered toward the elevator.
121
122 She took the stairs. Not eager to face the curious gazes of nosy onlookers.
123
124 Had she not been in such a hurry, she might have noticed the fit young blond she very nearly plowed over, and doubtless, she would have apologized profusely.
125
126 But she didn't, and mirthful blue eyes twinkled at John the Doorman, and laughter escaped her lips as she said, "Wow. SHE'S in a real hurry, isn't she? I haven't seen her here before, John. New tenant?"
127
128 John's kindly blue eyes smiled back at the curious woman in front of him as he held the door open for her. "I wouldn't know. I wouldn't know a thing. Enjoy your visit with your nephew, Ms. Crane."
129
130 "Thanks, John," she winked as she bussed his grandfatherly cheek. "I fully plan to. Ethan and I have a lot to catch up on."
131
132 "That you do, Ms. Crane," he muttered under his breath as he watched the young lass climb into the back of a cab. "That you do."