She waspletely adrift.


    Seth grabbed her hand and pressed it against the grab handle above the door to brace herself.


    Her head brushed against the roof liner with every intense movement.


    As the absolute final firework exploded over The Esnade, an explosion of color burst behind Noreen''s closed eyes.


    When the grand finale finally died down, a heavy silence fell over them both.


    Seth gently brushed her sweat-dampened hair away from her face.


    She had already fallen into a deep sleep, a beautiful flush still lingering on her cheeks.


    Holding her tightly against him, his eyes were overflowing with profound tenderness.


    ***


    The morning sun broke over the mountain, apanied by the gentle chirping of birds.


    The soothing sounds of nature made Noreen reluctant to open her eyes.


    However, feeling a bit stiff from sleeping in the same position, she tried to roll over. Instantly, she felt herself slipping into empty space.


    A secondter, arge hand locked securely around her waist, pulling her firmly back into a solid chest to keep her from falling off the seat.


    Seth had been repeating this exact motion all night long.


    He hadn''t slept a wink.


    He couldn''t bear the thought of closing his eyes, absolutely terrified that he''d wake up and realize it was all just an incredible dream.


    So, he had just held her.


    Even though his legs had gonepletely numb hours ago, he refused to let go.


    In his arms, Noreen''s eyshes fluttered as she finally started to stir.


    Seth knew what she was like when she drank.


    Even ckout drunk, she never actually lost her memories of what happened the next morning.


    To save her from sheer embarrassment, he quickly squeezed his eyes shut and pretended to be asleep.


    Noreen''s eyes peeled open.


    Sheid there in a fog for a solid minute.


    Then, it registered that she was lying entirely on top of Seth Harcourt. The


    realization hit her brain like a bucket of ice water.


    She shot upright, staring at the supposedly sleeping man in absolute horror, and gulped hard.


    Last night...


    What the hell did I dost night?!


    "Your lips look really kissable."


    "Do you want to kiss them?"


    "I do."


    "Then go ahead."


    "My neck hurts. Can''t you do some of the work?"


    "Are you going to remember this when you wake up?"


    And then... everything after that.


    Noreen almost screamed.


    But terrified of waking him and having to actually deal with the. aftermath,


    she pped both


    5. Wa


    Over her mouth to stifle the noise.


    Alcohol is the devil!


    Mortified beyond words, she quietly started edging toward the car door.


    In that moment, shepletely understood why Seth had fled thest time they hooked up.


    If she had the chance, she would bolt, too.


    But her fingers had barely grazed the door handle when azy, unsatisfied voice drawled from behind her.


    "Leaving so soon?"


    Noreen froze, turning around as stiffly as a board.


    Seth was massaging hispletely dead arm, his gaze pinned intensely on her.


    Trying to act nonchnt, she tucked


    a stray


    r behind her eal yo ame


    else? Should I stay and take


    responsibility for you


    "We''re both adults. We just gave each other what we needed."


    Seth paused his rubbing. "So, let me get this straight. You''re treatingst night as—"


    "A one-night stand!" Noreen blurted out, cutting him off.


    He had been going to say "a casual fling."


    But she was far more ruthless than him.


    With just a few careless words, shepletely trashed the emotional connection he


    had cherished all night long.


    After everything he had done to please her...


    When a woman decided to be heartless, no man couldpare.


    It painfully reminded him of the very first time they''d slept together after reuniting when she had tossed out indifferent line:


    then


    "It was just break-up sex. There''s no need to make it all romantic."


    Drunk Noreen was vastly superior. She was sweet and honest.


    Sober Noreen was covered in spikes, making sure he bled the moment he got too close.


    He finished massaging his arm and moved on to his deadened legs, speaking at a painfully slow drawl.


    "So, you''re nning on using me and ditching me again?"


    The usation made Noreen''s eye twitch violently.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!