Just as my toes touched the floor, an arm suddenly stretched out from behind, pulling me back.
"Hit and run? Aren't you going to take responsibility?"
A raspy voice whispered in my ear.
I shrank back, letting out a couple of awkward chuckles.
"It's just a fling. I don't have to be responsible for anything... right?"
The man fell silent for a moment, his arm tightening.
"Oh, but I intend to take responsibility."
I remained silent.
"Avery."
"Yes?" I felt a chill up my spine at the sudden mention of my name.
His hand caressed my waist, pressing gently at my side, ticklish yet soothing.
"Have you forgotten my name?"
"Well..."
I quickly searched through the remnants of my memory, finding a blank where his name should be.
The man sighed, "Emmett."
I nodded, attempting to walk away, but he held me tight in his arms, immobilizing me.
It was not good.
"Also, I'm 31 this year."
"Yeah?"
"I'm older than you, young lady."
Well...
What a stickler for details.
"But I'm married." I admitted.
His hand froze mid-rub on his waist.
"You mean you had dumped?"
"Yeah, I got divorced, but I'm still in the cooling-off period, so..."
"Damn!"
Emmett cursed under his breath, releasing me instantly. He turned around and burrowed under the covers, rustling as he put on his clothes.
Feeling a little embarrassed, I tidied myself up and walked towards the door, but he stopped me.
"It's far from here. Where do you live? I'll take you home."
"No need, I can call a cab."
He got up and opened the door, heading straight for the kitchen.
"Have some food before you go, I'll drive you."
In the car, it was awkwardly indescribable.
I broke the silence first, apologizing.
Emmett's expression twisted for a moment.
"Don't talk," he said. "Don't remind me of being the other man all night."
I fell silent, turning to look out the window.
"It's not really that, anyway. The divorce is inevitable. Our marriage is already broken, just missing the paperwork.
"If he can do it, why can't I?"
Perhaps it was drizzling today. Raindrops streaked the car window, much like my current mood.
Emmett glanced at me, his grim expression softening a bit.
"Did he cheat?"
"Yes, with his secretary, for three months, no, maybe even longer. Do you know how I found out?"
"How?"