One Breathless Night. Jo Leigh

       5

      “YOU’RE NOT GOING to believe this apartment,” Rick said. “Describing it as state-of-the-art doesn’t begin to cover it. Maybe in four or five years the technology will be commonplace. At this point it’s still a prototype.”

      “How did you get so lucky?” she asked, sliding closer to him as the Uber taxi, a very clean town car, took a turn. “Every room in the city must be booked tonight.”

      “I’m testing it out for my friend Sam, who designed it. We went to MIT together.”

      “Does Sam live there?”

      Rick shook his head. “But I meant it when I said you’d be fine. The second bedroom is huge and it’s got an en suite that, well, you’ll have to experience for yourself.”

      “Oh,” she said, scooting a few inches back to her side. “So it’s definite, then. You’d prefer I take the second bedroom?”

      “I want you to be comfortable,” he said. “Whatever you choose.”

      Now that was part of the problem, wasn’t it? Jenna had no idea what she wanted. Every time she thought about Payton the hurt hit her full-force. And then here was Rick, being so wonderful, his pretty eyes making all sorts of promises she didn’t doubt he’d keep.

      If she wanted him to.

      They hadn’t waited ten minutes before their cab arrived, and now they were on their way to Boston’s financial district, where this magical apartment was located. She could hardly believe she’d agreed to go with him. The idea of running off with a strange man when no one knew where she’d be was about three floors higher than insane. Speaking of... “I hope you won’t take this the wrong way, but I’m going to text my friend Ally as to our destination.”

      Even that would be tricky. Ally was her closest friend but Jenna wasn’t anxious to explain the circumstances. Of course Ally would find out sooner or later. Unless things somehow worked out with Payton.

      The thought stopped her. This wasn’t the first time she’d considered the possibility, but his text messages hadn’t helped. In fact, she wasn’t considering anything, really. Not even the enormous risk she was taking by going to the apartment with Rick.

      She realized he was staring at her and she pulled out her phone to find another text from Payton, a voice mail, as well. Both time-stamped between now and the last time she’d checked at the hotel. Was she making a huge mistake? Payton might deserve a chance for forgiveness even if she couldn’t see it now. He’d never given her any indication that he was a cheater.

      Well, of course he hadn’t. That’s why tonight had been such a shock. But that he had the potential for doing something so hurtful wasn’t easily forgotten. Trust had been shattered, and entering into a marriage with a man she couldn’t trust was unthinkable. If she stayed the night with Rick, Payton might not be the only one who needed forgiveness. Was that something she wanted?”

      “What’s wrong?” Rick asked, and she warmed at his concern.

      “I’m getting sober.”

      “We’re not far from the apartment. There’s a great bottle of champagne in the fridge, plus a very well-stocked bar. In fact, I know I saw Kahlúa on the shelf, vodka in the freezer and cream in the fridge.”

      “That’s oddly specific.”

      He grinned. “There are also cocktail onions, green olives, limes, lemons, Tabasco, celery and God knows what else. Everything the modern alcoholic needs at his fingertips.”

      “Good to know. But I’m also feeling pretty sure that while I have no desire to see Payton right now or go back to my place, I’m going to have to talk to him at some point.”

      Rick shifted a bit on the seat, giving her some room. It was dark and snowing outside their taxi, and she wished she had more than her cell phone, twenty dollars and a credit card on her. Like a toothbrush, some panties and makeup remover wouldn’t have been unwelcome.

      “We can turn this taxi around,” Rick said, his voice soft enough she doubted the cabbie heard him. “Take you where you’d feel safer. It’s fine. I’d understand.”

      “It’s coming down pretty hard,” she said, as the options played slowly in her head. Try to make it back to her place in Scituate? It wasn’t too far, a twenty-five-minute drive if the weather was good and it wasn’t rush hour. But with this snow? She was used to rough weather, she’d lived in Massachusetts all her life, and yet this snow felt colder. She could only see Rick’s face when the light posts hit the window at a certain angle. She read Payton’s last text.

      I don’t understand why you’re not replying. I’ve apologized in every way possible. Honestly, it was nothing. A whim. A poor decision. Yet I don’t know where you are, who you’re with, what you’re doing. For God’s sake, Jenna, stop being ridiculous. Look, I don’t blame you for being angry. But enough is enough.

      Ridiculous.

      Why was it every time she wasn’t ready to throw in the towel over an argument, her behavior was ridiculous. When he did the same thing, he’d chalk it up to his stubborn streak, the one that worked like a charm while buying cars or engagement rings.

      The burn in her veins was very welcome. It made every decision from here on out easier.

      “Tell you what,” Rick said, surprising her. “Once we’re inside, I’ll pour us each a large glass of water accompanied by two aspirins. Maybe by candlelight, haven’t decided yet. Then we’ll reevaluate our options.”

      “And what about the storm?”

      Rick’s arm went around her shoulders. It was illogical to think he could instantly make her warmer, given the car’s excellent heating and her heavy coat. But it happened nonetheless.

      “Right. Yes. The storm. Which I know quite a bit about. So, no, if we don’t zip you home now, it’s going to be difficult to get anywhere for the next few days.”

      He kept his expression neutral. Mostly.