Then he bends back down, lifting his jacket off the floor. He turns it right side out, smooths the fabric, and checks the medals. I step forward, "Here, let me help you. Fabric is sort of my thing."
He hands it to me and turns around. I hold it low so that he can insert his arms in the sleeves with ease. His back is so broad that putting it on alone would be difficult. I pull it over his shoulders and adjust the fabric, so it sits correctly. Then I turn him around to face me and double-check that his collar is correct and his medals are all aligned. When I look up into his face to tell him, "You're good to go," his gentle, smoldering eyes melt my heart again.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He walks over to my garment bag, and I bend down to get his hat. We exchange them, hooking them with our arms, and prepare to face reality alone.
He leans toward the panel and selects the third-floor button.
I tell him, "Second floor for me, please."
He nods and pushes it.
We stand side by side as the elevator begins its descent, and I can't help the sadness that spreads through me at the thought that despite him taking my digits, there is a real possibility that he will ghost me. When the doors open, he will be walking out of my life forever.
He glances over at me and catches my expression before my smile can cover it. The look he gives me scares me. His brows frown with a sternness that says he doesn't play games, and with the speed of a cat, before I can take a step back, he's pulling me into his arms again—gripping my hair, holding my face firmly in place. Then his mouth is on mine, kissing the ever-loving-heck out of it.
I cling to him like a drowning woman, running my hand around his waist, pressing him tighter, crushing the gown between us, not caring what condition it will be in, wanting to savor the last moments of intimacy with this hero.
When the elevator bounces to a stop, it's like a switch flips. He lets me go, takes a step back, gives me a slight bow, and says with an air of formality that hits me right in the heart.
"Rapunzel, remember this when you are modeling the gown tonight." He pauses for emphasis. "I think you are perfection."
I whisper, "Thank you."
Then the Navy SEAL turns away and walks out of the elevator owning everything around him.
As the doors close, I feel the separation in my heart. Then my fantasy crashes and burns as reality returns with a crushing cold blow. The Wicked Queen greets d'Artagnan.
What. The. Fuck!
Oh. My. God!
Who the hell is he?
What have I done?
My throat constricts, and I can't breathe. The world closes in on me. I don't want to believe what I just saw!
As the elevator sinks to the second floor, my heart sinks with it. d'Artagnan is on the side of the enemy! Who the fuck is he? I rack my brain but come up short.
If I've destroyed Cathy's career with my impulsive lapse of judgment, I will never forgive myself. What was I thinking? I shake my head. I wasn't! I was feeling, and that's always a mistake! Always.
I bow my head and pray, "Lord, please don't punish Cathy for my mistake." I sniff as the tears begin to form, and I catch a whiff of his intoxicating musk lingering on my dress. The scent makes the tears threaten, but I swallow them down. I will not cry. I have to be strong. This is no time to dwell on the past. It is what it is, and I can't change it now.
The elevator bounces its arrival. Lifting my eyes to the ceiling, I plead one more time, "Please! She's been through hell with her horrible stepmother. Please don't let me contribute to her pain."
As soon as the gap is wide enough, I escape. Rushing around the outer corridor, gulping deep breaths, hoping to cleanse my sin from my soul, I shake the stress out of my body. Moving forward, I try to find something positive to hang on to about the incident, but the only thing I can find is that I'm thankful. At least, I won't be blindsided when or if I ever see him again.
Chapter 6
d’Artagnan
The old adage 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer' will serve me well while executing my plan.
"d'Artagnan!" Tiara cries, making sure she's seen in the proper light greeting her stepson, the returning military hero. "It's so wonderful to have you home!"
