They didn’t speak as he drove to the cabin.His instincts told him she wouldn’t be as amorous in a private setting.He didn’t know what to make of her behavior.She had a strange way of showing her disapproval about his affair with Gwen.What the hell had the bartender put in those martinis?Maybe the combination of strong spirits and post-divorce stress had turned her into a girl gone wild.She’d seemed determined to prove that she wasn’t interested in a relationship.
Paul’s gut twisted with regret.He hated her ex-husband for trampling her self-esteem.He also hated Kyle for stirring up shit.He hated himself for inventing a term likebunny, and for every other bad choice he’d made.
He couldn’t go back in time and avoid an affair with Gwen.It had been a mistake, rooted in his desire to stay unattached.Paul hadn’t broken any vows, but he wasn’t innocent.He’d cheated with her, rather than on her.He hadn’t learned from his mistakes, either.Here he was, pursuing another woman he shouldn’t have.
Like his affair with Gwen, the fling with Vanessa wouldn’t end well.He should have kept his distance.He shouldn’t have gone out with her tonight.Kyle had warned him not to get distracted and he hadn’t listened.Paul had insisted he wasn’t thinking with his dick, but he was.Worse, he was thinking with hisheart.
He glanced at Vanessa, who hadn’t said a word since they’d left the parking lot.She’d been quieter than usual at the restaurant, now that he thought about it.Maybe she’d been upset before he picked her up.
“Are you getting along with your father?”he asked.
“Not really.”
“He’s protective of you.”
“Let’s not do this.”
“Do what?”
She gestured between them.“Share things.I bet your married girlfriend didn’t ask about your family.She didn’t even visit you in the hospital.Then again, why would she?You were just a side piece.”
Paul tightened his hands around the steering wheel.“You’re right.”
“About what?”
“I shouldn’t have expected her to visit.I meant nothing to her.To be honest, she didn’t mean much to me, either.But I still wanted someone to be there.”He glanced her direction.“Someone other than Kyle.”
She smiled at his wry tone.“And his ex-wife?”
“How do you know about that?”
“I overheard it.”
Allison had brought the boys to see him.They’d remained friendly through the divorce, but there were no romantic feelings between them.Paul, unlike Kyle, had some standards.“I’ve been told that near-death experiences can change people, make you reevaluate your life choices.That’s what it did for me.”
She gave him a measured look and fell silent again.Before tonight, she hadn’t shied away from personal questions.They’d shared plenty, at her insistence.Now she was putting the brakes on an emotional connection.He didn’t know what she wanted from him, other than a hot time in the parking lot.
Five minutes later, they were back at the cabin.He parked in the available space.She didn’t wait for him to open the door for her.Nor did she take his hand as she climbed out.Refusing it, she strode toward the cabin, stumbled in her spike heels, and almost fell.
Paul sighed, shaking his head.He swept her off her feet, with a wince at the twinge in his shoulder, and carried her the rest of the way.
She draped her arms around his neck, complacent.“I guess I’m a little tipsy.”
He grunted an agreement.
“It’s so weird.I had a giant margarita the other night and I was fine.”
“Did you eat a meal with it?”
“Yes.”
“There you go,” he said as he deposited her by the door.“Tonight you had three bites of salad and a strawberry.”
“Bunny food,” she murmured.
He gestured for her purse, which she handed over.He found her key to unlock the door.As soon as they were inside, he drew her into his arms again.“You know what I’ve decided?”he asked her.
“What?”
