Mia awoke. Wrapped herself tighter in the blanket. It had been hard to resist Roman's touch, but Randy's love marks were still on her body. Intimate places that would tattle her betrayal. No other form of activity could explain their presence. She moved closer to him. His embrace, so warm, strong. She felt safe.
Across the room, she heard a soft snore. Roman didn't' snore, unless he was on his back. She raised her head. The room was dark, but she could still see Randy, resting with his tattooed arms behind his head. His chiseled, straight lined face softly formed in slumber. They had a difficult secret to keep. One they would surely take to their graves. She wondered if he slipped off to take care of their annulment. She was sure he wanted it taken care of as quickly as she did.
How could she have been so stupid? Sure, Roman would be angry at Randy, but had a fifteen year bond. They would go on like nothing had happened. But she would be cast aside. Despised as if the entire thing had been her doing. Like she was some sultry temptress who had used her skills to lure Randy and she didn't have the luxury of a lost memory any more. As the alcohol cleared her bloodstream, the memory resurfaced.
It had upset her that Roman had left when he had promised her that weekend would be special. It would be romantic and she would have his undivided attention. Then, his cell rang. An emergency at work and he was heading back to the airport. They had barely sat down in the club. Just checked into the hotel. She was so upset that she began to drink. Heavily, downing the first three as if it were merely water.
Of course, Randy was there to pick up the pieces, telling her that Roman didn't mean to hurt her. A few drinks later and even he was done singing Roman's phrases. Then the conversation shifted. Randy pointed out how much time the two of them spent together. How often people mistook him for her boyfriend. It seemed to roll off his tongue easily, without thought, as if the words had been inside for some time. She thought he was joking. Perhaps he had been.
Drink ten … eleven.
"We never fight." Randy chuckled, his arm draping about her shoulders.
"Friends don't fight, Randall."
"Sure they do." he skillfully inched closer, wrapping her in his embrace. "They just get over it. Just like Roman will get over this." He leaned. His lips touched her bottom, pulling it in softly before taking full advantage of her surprise, slipping his tongue into her mouth to wind it around hers, that betrayed all the morals that shouted out. Slap him. Correct him. What was going through his mind?
Twelve … thirteen … then she lost count, but she no longer cared that Randy's hand rested on her thigh. Her entire body felt like jelly, but she didn't care about anything anymore. Nothing but the fun she was having. The laughter was as addictive as the atmosphere and the cocktails that they ordered. Determined to try everyone on the menu before the night had ended.
She found herself kissing him. Hanging her arms around her neck. Dancing too closely, provactively. Randy never judged her. Never made her check her actions. Act her age. Nothing she did embarrassed him. Not even the snort she let out when her giggles were loud, and uncontrolled.
Actually, Roman was very strict about how she conducted herself in public. He cared a lot about how the world percieved him. Even complete strangers. It was exhausting at times. Trying to be perfect all the time, but Roman challenged her. Made her aware of all she could be and was. He was proud of her and wanted her to be her best. She understood, but some days, she just wanted to be silly. She was still young after all.
Plastered, she participated in the club's ritual. Sitting in a line with other couples. The men in chairs and the women, straddling, grinding, performing sexual acts with their clothes on. She had felt Randy's appreciation through his jeans. She had seen desire in those eyes. She could not break his gaze and soon, he was halting her act, pulling her close and passionately kissing her lips, grazing her neck. His wide palms spanning the small of her back, beneath her tank. Warmth rose from her toes to her cheeks. His hands moved higher, she felt an explosion. She wanted him.
"We should find some food." Randy cleared his throat, no doubt trying to control the same urge before they crossed yet another line.
Food didn't help. Not after she playfully dotted his nose with the chocolate covered strawberry. Small foundue fountains sat on every table of the hotel restaurant and a fruit tray was complimentary like a bread basket in the restaraunts back home. Roman would have hated it. Chastised her, but Randy, the man she called her best friend, only laughed, then prevented her retreat, forcing her to clean her mess. Which for some reason she used her tongue to do. Why she had thought that was the best way, she had no clue.
Laying beside Roman she smiled. The night had been the most romantic episode of her life, but she sighed sadly because it had been everything she dreamed about. But the man was only a fill in. And boy did he fill in.
In the elevator, they still could not keep their hands off each other. Her hands had managed to wander beneath his shirt and she moaned as his cupped her bottom and effortless locked her legs around his waist. Bracing her against the wall, he nibbled, explaining the tiny hickies.
"Trust me?" The chime sounded. The door opened. Not on their floor, but the ground floor again. They hadn't moved at all and they had remained on the bottom level until the car was hailed once again. Suddenly, not alone, but feeling no embarrassment for their acts, they giggled and Randy took her hand and they jogged out, barreling through people.
"Randy!" She squealed. "Where are you taking me?"
"You'll see."
"Have you gone insane?" she gasped, trying to catch her breath in the lobby of the chapel across the street.
"I think it's time Roman learned that he can't ignore a beautiful woman and expect to hold on to her."
"He will kill you tomorrow."
"Maybe, but I'll die a very happy man."
She still thought it was a joke. Even as they stood in front of a man dressed like a Catholic priest, but it was obvious he was an actor based on the large diamond and gold rings he displayed on nearly every finger. "It makes sense." he explained. Was it part of his vows? She didn't quiet know, but he seemed serious. "Your entire relationship with Roman – it has been you and me who spent the most time together. It's me who knows you. It's you and me who has fun together. WE're the ones who laugh, play and share common interests. It should be you and me. Not you and him. Roman will never marry you. You know that. He said that how many times. I know you say you don't care, but I see it in your eyes. You want that and I'm ready to give that and everything else you want – right now."
It happened in a blur, but she remembered the kiss. The sweet, satisfying kiss that sealed the deal and the love making wasn't half bad either. She hated that it took all day for her to remember. Randy had been right. They were close. Now, they were too close and her feelings for Roman had not changed. In a way, she wished they had. Then, she would make the marrige with Randy work. She didn't believe in divorce and she still only wanted to marry once. And that one time had come and gone, in a blur, yet the deed had been done. Thankfully, she didn't have a wedding in her future. Not with Roman and she had no plans to leave him.
