When Andrew finally returned to his suite with the ice, he found Kimberly stretched out on the bed. She smiled at him. “I thought you’d fallen down the elevator shaft or something.”
Andrew ignored the remark and took the ice bucket over to the bar counter. He slowly started plunking ice cubes into their glasses. He knew exactly what she was thinking, knew what she wanted. What terrified him most was the recognition that deep in his heart of hearts, he might just want it too.
But he also knew that wanting it was a far cry from acting on it. Giving in to temptation would send his life into a downward spiral that could destroy everything he’d always believed in, everything he’d worked for. He would lose every shred of self-respect. Not to mention the best friend he’d ever had and the one true love of his life.
But there they were, alone in a hotel room. Kimberly was ready and willing and beautiful. Maybe he could have it both ways. Maybe Beth would never find out.
He flinched as Kimberly wrapped her arms around him from behind. He hadn’t heard her coming.
“Wow, somebody’s sure jumpy tonight,” she said.
Andrew put the glasses down, gently removed her arms from his chest, and turned to face her.
“Kimberly, listen . . .”
“Shhh,” she said. She put a finger to his lips. “Hear me out, okay? I think you’re an amazing man. You’re smart and talented and you know exactly where you want to go.”
“Kimberly—”
“Wait. I’m not done. Think about it. We are perfect for each other. We’re cut from the same cloth; we both want the same things. And, most importantly, I . . . I really care about you, Andrew. I think I might be in love with you.”
“Kimberly, please.”
“Andrew, I know you’re married, so we can take it slow. I promise I won’t pressure you.” Kimberly put a hand on his face, forced him to meet her gaze.
“I know you want me too. I can feel it.” Kimberly moved to kiss him, but Andrew held her off. This had already gone too far. Way too far.
He moved away from her. “Kimberly, I need you to listen to me now. This isn’t going to happen. I’m a married man, and I could never—would never—cheat on my wife. I’ve loved Beth all my life, and that’s not about to change.”
Kimberly gave him a wounded look, and her eyes welled up with tears. “Oh, so . . . that’s it?”
“Yes,” Andrew said. “That’s it.”
She crossed her arms and bit her lip. He couldn’t tell if she was angry or hurt—or both. “Please, Kimberly, try to understand. I think you’re a wonderful person. You’re smart and kind and beautiful—”
“Spare me, Andrew,” she said. “I’m a big girl. I don’t need a pep talk. I get it. You’re not interested. Sorry to be so presumptuous.”
“I hope I haven’t led you on . . .”
“Don’t worry about it.” Kimberly snatched up the manuscript and headed for the door. “It’s fine.”
“Kimberly, please don’t go like this,” Andrew said. But he didn’t mean it. He wanted her out.
She turned in the doorway, and suddenly the angry home wrecker had vanished. In her place was a little girl with a broken heart. A tear rolled down her cheek. “Beth is one lucky lady,” she said. Then she was gone.