Though I was stark naked, he woke me with kisses to my forehead and cheeks, and as I returned to consciousness, my involuntary grin subsided. I immediately looked over to the table but saw no ring. I could've been delirious, but I didn't want to believe I hadn't seen it. "Daniel, where's the ring?"
"What ring, babe?"
"The ring. The ring that was on the table. Your ring..." I sat up.
"Alyssa," he sighed.
"I KNEW IT! You're married, aren't you?"
"We've been separated for a couple of months now, and I hardly ever wear that thing."
"I can't believe you did this! What am I saying? I just met you. I can't believe I did this!" I was somewhere between confused and furious when I leapt from the bed to fetch my robe.
"Alyssa, calm down! We're getting a divorce, and I liked you from the moment I met you. Just sit down for a minute, and we can-"
"Get out!" I ordered. "This was a mistake. I never should've let you come here. It was my mistake. Just go." I was pacing, feverish with fury and frustration. As soon as he was dressed and gone, I bolted the lock on the door and slid to the floor in tears. How in the world did this happen? I'm never this careless with guys. Had it really been so long since my last romantic interaction with a guy that my guard had completely dissipated? Breakfast had long since gotten cold, but I snagged a strip of bacon and nibbled on it while checking my messages and telling myself that this encounter had all been a fluke.
The rest of the week was a blur. I reprimanded so many workers, I was beginning to confuse the people who'd pissed me off with the people who hadn't. I buried myself in phone calls and emails and barely ate, but the memory of that morning with Daniel kept finding me in my sleep. I'd pass out half dressed across my made hotel bed having only managed to remove my shoes and shorts while crossing the room. I woke, night after night, with a fierce grip on my pillows, an aching moan on my lips, and yet another soaked pair of underwear. The dreams were either re-enactments of the morning with him or visions of Daniel somehow walking into my room and slipping his fingers into my pussy while I slept. I felt like I was going insane.
By the following Monday evening, I was a frazzled mess. I just needed to swing by the house to drop off more supplies from the hardware store and lock up. I set everything down in the hallway and started on a quick walk-through. I stopped in the living room and pulled out my flask before dropping my purse to the floor. After about half my supply of vodka had been consumed, I almost didn't hear him come in the creaking back door. It was Daniel, only partly illuminated in the glow from the light in the living room that was spilling down the hallway.
"Hi, Alyssa..." He was holding my footstool. "I picked up your footstool today. They called and said they finished the repair early." I felt as though I should've had a smart remark at the ready or even an eye roll, considering the mood I was in, but the vodka had numbed everything that didn't feel like exhaustion. "Where would you like me to sit it?"