Chapter Six *
Making their way through the sea of bodies, the group found some
tables and shoved them together. Kirsten and Amy disappeared to the ladies
restroom, so Matt and Jeff headed for the bar to order drinks. So far Adam
had not spotted Sean or Drew and their usual crew so he relaxed. Sean had
relentlessly given him a hard time over the break up with his sister. Adam
wished he'd get over it. Frankly he was tired of the bullshit. Adam
admitted he made a mistake, took the responsibility, and apologized. It's
not as if Adam hadn't suffered at all from the break up. This was the first
time any of them had seen Adam bring someone along-not that this was
planned. Even though this was not a date, shit, she was thinking of someone
else anyway, he still didn't want to deal with the crap. He was trying to
rationalize all this, but he still couldn't deny he was attracted to her
and a little jealous streak ran through his mind as he remembered her
thinking of that jerk that didn't show up. Marine or no Marine, the guy was
an idiot.
Matt and Jeff arrived from the bar with drinks, pulling Adam out of his thoughts. Monica had wondered why he was so quiet but wasn't going to disturb him. Kirsten and Amy rejoined them and Matt immediately whisked his girl away from the table to the dance floor. "Adam, man, are you going to get her something to drink?" Jeff asked "I'm sorry. I was distracted. What would you like?" "It's alright. A whiskey sour please." "You're not going to..." Knowing where he was headed, she cut him off. "No, don't sweat it. I know better." Monica watched as Adam turned and strode toward the bar. She felt like an ass for getting defensive but she was in no way going to make herself a burden on them anymore than she already might be. Jeff must have sensed her train of thought because he attempted to reassure her, "Don't be upset with him, he's just concerned." "I know. Thank you. I shouldn't have jumped the gun." Jeff was curious. She was not the usual for Adam. He always had a trophy looking blond on his arm- not trying to insult his former, or dismiss the attributes of the woman in his presence, but Jeff had gotten used to Adam's taste. This one was far from the norm. She was dressed respectably and even more refreshing was the fact that she was not familiar with who they all were.
They sat and contributed to the conversation flowing around the table. Jason was in the mood to dance so he asked Amy if she would join him. She obliged and they departed. Jeff saw Sean and Drew coming out of the corner of his eye and nudged Adam. "Dude, maybe you should go dance." "Yeah." Reaching across the table he took Moni's hand and asked, "Will you dance with me?" Moni nodded her head in acceptance and stood up. Letting him lead her to the floor, Adam blazed a trail through the crowd of couples until finding a spot that satisfied him. He took her in his arms and she thought she was going to melt in his embrace. Swaying to the rhythm, he pulled her closer and Moni rested her head on his chest. It had been awhile since she'd had any alcohol and she was getting that comfortable drowsy feeling. The warmth of his body, so near to her was giving her a pleasant heady sensation at the same time. Adam felt her relax and held her tighter.
Sean and Drew arrived at the table and seated themselves, uninvited, next to Jeff.
"Hey Jeff." "Drew." "So who's the bitch with Adam? He ditched his hired bodyguard?" Sean persisted in staring her down, measuring her up to the yardstick that was his sister. From the top of her head to the tips of her boot clad feet. He lifted his eyes back up to Jeff as he spoke, "What bodyguard?"
"You didn't see, he came strolling into the hotel with some female Marine." "Oh. No that's her." "Wow, guess she cleans up half way decent. Not really groupie attire though." "Why don't you just drop it Sean? It's been months." "Yeah right, like she's not one of the regular ringrats." "How many Marines do you know that are 'groupies'? As if they'd have the time!" Raising an eyebrow at his realization of that tidbit, Sean still continued his "once over". Sean and Drew were staring from across the room and Adam could feel it. He didn't want to get into it with Sean, not here, not now in front of her. God only knows what Sean would say. "She's not even here for Adam. She met him on the plane. Jay and Adam brought her because she was stranded." Matt and Kirsten re-took their places at the table, giving their obligatory greetings to the two new visitors. Matt could tell what was on the topic of discussion and added his two cents. "Sean, don't even think about it. Just go and find something to enjoy yourself." Sean and Drew sensing that they weren't going to accomplish anything, whatever they had in mind, took their leave from the table. Adam watched them walk around, and take the steps to the upper level.
Looking down at the woman in his arms, Adam sighed. He wasn't sure whether it was from relief, contentment, or desire. She was different and he could definitely appreciate that. Jason interrupted Adam's inner self. "Can I cut in?" "Sure." Monica accepted as she reached out to take Jay's hand. He was semi- drunk and soon he had her whirling and twirling all over the floor. Monica was laughing so hard it hurt. Pretty soon it became a contest to see who was the better dancer, Jeff had to throw himself in the running when the DJ switched to techno. The sight of Jeff had everybody doubled over in laughter-he just thought he was a legend on the dance floor. In his own mind maybe but he was a sight that's for sure. "Ok, Ok," Moni said gasping for air, "I need a drink. Can we take a break?" "What's the matter Major? No more stamina?" he teased as they walked back to the table. Adam had another drink waiting for her. "Trying to get me drunk mister?" she asked jokingly. "Ok then, if you don't need this, I'll just..." Adam started to reach for her glass as if he were going to down it and she stopped him." No, that's ok. I was just telling Jeff I needed one. Thank you." It had been a few hours since she had eaten, but she didn't heed the warning her brain gave her and downed the new drink while it was still cold. It was hot on the dance floor. Jay and Jeff had given her a good workout. Adam watched her down the whole thing with little effort-'Must be those infamous military drinking games' he thought or she really was trying to bury her disappointment and hurt. He certainly had no right to say anything-he understood the frame of mind she was in. He'd definitely keep an eye on her though.
The DJ decided to play some of the ladies requests so Kirsten and Amy dragged Monica along with them. The selections were very seductive and the guys couldn't take their eyes off of the movements displayed before them. Matt was overheard mumbling things under his breath that he had planned for Kirsten later. She'd be putting that sway to good use. "Umm Jay, what are we going to do about the sleeping arrangements?" "Well, as much as I love you man, there is no way I am sharing a bed with you." "So, are you suggesting we do 'paper, rock, scissors' for the floor?" "I am not sleeping on the floor this whole weekend." "No one said you had to, we don't even know if she is going to be with us that long. Besides, if she is, that conference has to be over sometime-we should be able to get another room." Matt interjected. "What do you mean you don't know if she is going to be with you that long?" Jason explained to Matt what had happened at the airport, and that she was waiting for a call. They didn't know what her chances were of getting it, they were looking slim to none right about now. "This guy must be a fool." Was all Matt offered. Adam silently agreed.
Changing positions on the dance floor, Moni could see Adam across the room, catching his gaze. He was sexy as hell. Remembering the soft touches he bestowed upon her from their dance earlier, she recalled his candid honesty in the hotel room and warned herself. 'Do not fall for him-you shouldn't.' Her head knew better than to let her confuse the resemblance and get lost in Adam's personality. It was screaming at her to stop drinking before she couldn't make heads or tails out of anyone or anything. Yet there was this little voice coming from somewhere wondering, how Adam could possibly break a heart that's already broken?
Adam watched in interest as the drinking and dancing continued. Against his better judgment, a fire began to burn inside him. He had been drinking in the movements of her body in time with the music and was imagining them all to his benefit.
When the girls tired of the atmosphere and came back, Matt pulled Kirsten into his lap with the mention of the first thing that 'popped' up, causing the table to erupt with laughter. "Gees you two, get a room!" Jay said half joking and half out of jealousy.
"Aww poor Jay." Amy coddled him, ruffling his hair. Moni had slid in next to Adam and her insides burned as she felt his skin brush up against her. "So what are we going to do about the room? We better decide and get back before I crash on this bench." "For tonight, one of us is going to sleep on the floor-they should have a roll away cot somewhere in that high priced hotel." "I'm really sorry that you guys have to do that, just because of me." "Don't worry about it." Jason cut in. "it's better than leaving you there." Adam could have smacked Jay. Why did he have to bring that up? Jay noticed her sigh and immediately felt like an ass. "I'm sorry." "Jay, don't apologize. This isn't your fault."
Matt and Jeff arrived from the bar with drinks, pulling Adam out of his thoughts. Monica had wondered why he was so quiet but wasn't going to disturb him. Kirsten and Amy rejoined them and Matt immediately whisked his girl away from the table to the dance floor. "Adam, man, are you going to get her something to drink?" Jeff asked "I'm sorry. I was distracted. What would you like?" "It's alright. A whiskey sour please." "You're not going to..." Knowing where he was headed, she cut him off. "No, don't sweat it. I know better." Monica watched as Adam turned and strode toward the bar. She felt like an ass for getting defensive but she was in no way going to make herself a burden on them anymore than she already might be. Jeff must have sensed her train of thought because he attempted to reassure her, "Don't be upset with him, he's just concerned." "I know. Thank you. I shouldn't have jumped the gun." Jeff was curious. She was not the usual for Adam. He always had a trophy looking blond on his arm- not trying to insult his former, or dismiss the attributes of the woman in his presence, but Jeff had gotten used to Adam's taste. This one was far from the norm. She was dressed respectably and even more refreshing was the fact that she was not familiar with who they all were.
They sat and contributed to the conversation flowing around the table. Jason was in the mood to dance so he asked Amy if she would join him. She obliged and they departed. Jeff saw Sean and Drew coming out of the corner of his eye and nudged Adam. "Dude, maybe you should go dance." "Yeah." Reaching across the table he took Moni's hand and asked, "Will you dance with me?" Moni nodded her head in acceptance and stood up. Letting him lead her to the floor, Adam blazed a trail through the crowd of couples until finding a spot that satisfied him. He took her in his arms and she thought she was going to melt in his embrace. Swaying to the rhythm, he pulled her closer and Moni rested her head on his chest. It had been awhile since she'd had any alcohol and she was getting that comfortable drowsy feeling. The warmth of his body, so near to her was giving her a pleasant heady sensation at the same time. Adam felt her relax and held her tighter.
Sean and Drew arrived at the table and seated themselves, uninvited, next to Jeff.
"Hey Jeff." "Drew." "So who's the bitch with Adam? He ditched his hired bodyguard?" Sean persisted in staring her down, measuring her up to the yardstick that was his sister. From the top of her head to the tips of her boot clad feet. He lifted his eyes back up to Jeff as he spoke, "What bodyguard?"
"You didn't see, he came strolling into the hotel with some female Marine." "Oh. No that's her." "Wow, guess she cleans up half way decent. Not really groupie attire though." "Why don't you just drop it Sean? It's been months." "Yeah right, like she's not one of the regular ringrats." "How many Marines do you know that are 'groupies'? As if they'd have the time!" Raising an eyebrow at his realization of that tidbit, Sean still continued his "once over". Sean and Drew were staring from across the room and Adam could feel it. He didn't want to get into it with Sean, not here, not now in front of her. God only knows what Sean would say. "She's not even here for Adam. She met him on the plane. Jay and Adam brought her because she was stranded." Matt and Kirsten re-took their places at the table, giving their obligatory greetings to the two new visitors. Matt could tell what was on the topic of discussion and added his two cents. "Sean, don't even think about it. Just go and find something to enjoy yourself." Sean and Drew sensing that they weren't going to accomplish anything, whatever they had in mind, took their leave from the table. Adam watched them walk around, and take the steps to the upper level.
Looking down at the woman in his arms, Adam sighed. He wasn't sure whether it was from relief, contentment, or desire. She was different and he could definitely appreciate that. Jason interrupted Adam's inner self. "Can I cut in?" "Sure." Monica accepted as she reached out to take Jay's hand. He was semi- drunk and soon he had her whirling and twirling all over the floor. Monica was laughing so hard it hurt. Pretty soon it became a contest to see who was the better dancer, Jeff had to throw himself in the running when the DJ switched to techno. The sight of Jeff had everybody doubled over in laughter-he just thought he was a legend on the dance floor. In his own mind maybe but he was a sight that's for sure. "Ok, Ok," Moni said gasping for air, "I need a drink. Can we take a break?" "What's the matter Major? No more stamina?" he teased as they walked back to the table. Adam had another drink waiting for her. "Trying to get me drunk mister?" she asked jokingly. "Ok then, if you don't need this, I'll just..." Adam started to reach for her glass as if he were going to down it and she stopped him." No, that's ok. I was just telling Jeff I needed one. Thank you." It had been a few hours since she had eaten, but she didn't heed the warning her brain gave her and downed the new drink while it was still cold. It was hot on the dance floor. Jay and Jeff had given her a good workout. Adam watched her down the whole thing with little effort-'Must be those infamous military drinking games' he thought or she really was trying to bury her disappointment and hurt. He certainly had no right to say anything-he understood the frame of mind she was in. He'd definitely keep an eye on her though.
The DJ decided to play some of the ladies requests so Kirsten and Amy dragged Monica along with them. The selections were very seductive and the guys couldn't take their eyes off of the movements displayed before them. Matt was overheard mumbling things under his breath that he had planned for Kirsten later. She'd be putting that sway to good use. "Umm Jay, what are we going to do about the sleeping arrangements?" "Well, as much as I love you man, there is no way I am sharing a bed with you." "So, are you suggesting we do 'paper, rock, scissors' for the floor?" "I am not sleeping on the floor this whole weekend." "No one said you had to, we don't even know if she is going to be with us that long. Besides, if she is, that conference has to be over sometime-we should be able to get another room." Matt interjected. "What do you mean you don't know if she is going to be with you that long?" Jason explained to Matt what had happened at the airport, and that she was waiting for a call. They didn't know what her chances were of getting it, they were looking slim to none right about now. "This guy must be a fool." Was all Matt offered. Adam silently agreed.
Changing positions on the dance floor, Moni could see Adam across the room, catching his gaze. He was sexy as hell. Remembering the soft touches he bestowed upon her from their dance earlier, she recalled his candid honesty in the hotel room and warned herself. 'Do not fall for him-you shouldn't.' Her head knew better than to let her confuse the resemblance and get lost in Adam's personality. It was screaming at her to stop drinking before she couldn't make heads or tails out of anyone or anything. Yet there was this little voice coming from somewhere wondering, how Adam could possibly break a heart that's already broken?
Adam watched in interest as the drinking and dancing continued. Against his better judgment, a fire began to burn inside him. He had been drinking in the movements of her body in time with the music and was imagining them all to his benefit.
When the girls tired of the atmosphere and came back, Matt pulled Kirsten into his lap with the mention of the first thing that 'popped' up, causing the table to erupt with laughter. "Gees you two, get a room!" Jay said half joking and half out of jealousy.
"Aww poor Jay." Amy coddled him, ruffling his hair. Moni had slid in next to Adam and her insides burned as she felt his skin brush up against her. "So what are we going to do about the room? We better decide and get back before I crash on this bench." "For tonight, one of us is going to sleep on the floor-they should have a roll away cot somewhere in that high priced hotel." "I'm really sorry that you guys have to do that, just because of me." "Don't worry about it." Jason cut in. "it's better than leaving you there." Adam could have smacked Jay. Why did he have to bring that up? Jay noticed her sigh and immediately felt like an ass. "I'm sorry." "Jay, don't apologize. This isn't your fault."