Deception (Infidelity #3)(81)

If she ignored me, or worse, pretended she didn’t recognize me, I planned to walk away. I’d chalk up our conversation to cosmic fate, a rare occurrence when stars aligned, and accept my damnation.

Rarely did Adelaide’s schedule change. Twice a month she met other women for lunch in a private dining room at an upscale tearoom. With a large tip to the right person, I was seated just outside of her destination. She’d need to walk past me to access the room.

Would she be alone, accompanied by friends, or perhaps flanked by a bodyguard?

Doubts swirled through my mind as I sipped sweet tea and waited. Unfortunately, the restaurant didn’t serve alcohol. I could have used a stiff drink.

The moment she entered the area where I sat, my lungs seized, hungry for a hint of jasmine and lavender. I couldn’t have been more obvious if I’d rented a sign, one of the ones with lights that flashed to indicate an arrow. If I had, the sign would have undoubtedly read, ‘heartsick fool’ as it pointed to me.

Each step she took was focused, her eyes on the door of the private dining room. She’d almost passed right by me when her steps stuttered and her blue-eyed gaze locked on mine. Suddenly her hand fluttered near her neck and the color drained from her cheeks.

“Oren.” My name floated in the air as a whisper, quickly swallowed by the din of the other diners.

Nevertheless, it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard. I hadn’t allowed myself to admit how devastated I would have been if she’d not remembered me. But she had, and my head was alive with the promise of spring as bees buzzed and birds sang.

“Adelaide.” No other words came to mind.

“How? How are you here?” she asked, but just as soon, she stiffened and looked both directions.

“I’m not here to cause you problems.”

“Then why?” Her question was again a whisper.

I stood, my hands aching to touch hers. “Because I haven’t thought of anyone else since the night we met. Because I’ve dreamt of seeing you again, talking to you, hearing your voice and laughter.”

Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. “I-I can’t. If anyone… If my husb—”

I handed her a piece of paper that I’d kept in the pocket of my pants. “My number. I don’t know how this will work, but it’s up to you if you call me. I’ll be in town for two more days.”

Part of me expected her to reject the offer.

I believe there was part of her that knew she should. Her hand trembled as she slowly reached forward, taking the paper and tucking it in her handbag.

“Yes. Mr. Demetri, it was nice to see you again.” This time her volume was louder, intentionally audible to those nearby. “I will certainly tell my husband you were in town. Unfortunately, he won’t be back for two more days.”

The final words of her statement seemed to ring in my ears, reverberating off the walls. I smiled and nodded, all the time praying that I was inferring her reply the way she intended.





THEY SAY THAT lightning doesn’t strike twice. I disagree.

The next afternoon Adelaide Montague—the last name I chose to use—arrived in a cab and met me at a motel outside of Savannah. The location was her idea, though I doubted she’d ever been to such an establishment.

That was the point.

No one at the motel off of US 95, north of Savannah, would recognize her.

“I-I’m not sure why I came here,” she said once she was in the room, her hand again fluttering near her neck.

“I’m not expecting anything, Adelaide. I just wanted to see you again.”

The hunger I’d witnessed at the fundraiser was camouflaged behind a shadow of fear. The thought that I was the source of terror tore at my insides. I longed to reassure her. Slowly, I took a step toward her.

“I’ve never felt an attraction to another woman,” I said, “like I do to you. Tell me if it’s one-sided. If it is, tell me no and I’ll walk away.”

“Oren.”

My name came out as a heartbreaking tune as it tumbled from her lips.

“Adelaide, tell me no.” I inched closer.

I reached for her hand, encasing her fingers in mine, and though they said it wouldn’t, lightning struck again. Electricity and energy flowed from her to me, and back. We were a circuit of power spinning wildly out of control. Soon we would combust.

I stepped even closer, my chest just inches from hers. I longed to feel her heartbeat as her breasts heaved and she fought to breathe.

“Last chance, Adelaide. Say no, or I’m going to kiss you.”

“Kiss me?” she asked as if the possibility surprised her.

“Yes, I’ve spent the last months imagining your taste and the feel of your lips against mine. You’re so close. I’m losing control. I need to know if my imagination was close to reality. Say no.”

Adelaide lifted her chin, bringing her lips a whisper from mine. “I’ve never wanted to say yes more.”

In a seedy motel in Georgia, the world stopped spinning and lightning exploded.

My imagination paled to the reality of Adelaide Montague.





“IT’S BEEN OVER two weeks,” I said, my arms crossed over my chest as I leaned against my desk and stared.

“We need to tell Alex. She’s going to find out sooner or later.”