She draws me into another kiss and bites my lip. The sharp stab of pain wakes me from the dream to discover it’s happened again. I’ve dreamed my way to orgasm while Natalie sleeps next to me, unsuspecting.
The dream comes back to me in increments, torturing me with scenes of things I can only dream about. I feel betrayed by my own subconscious mind. It’s punishing me for my deception by showing me things I’ll never have with the woman I love more than life itself.
Natalie turns toward me, her hand landing on my chest, above the mess I’ve made on my belly.
I lift her hand and get out of bed, leaving her to sleep while I go into the bathroom to clean up.
I’m disgusted with myself and afraid, deeply afraid that I may not be able to live without the things I’ve given up for her.
I wake to daylight and my ringing cellphone. Addie’s ring tone. Natalie is curled up to me, sleeping soundly. Moving carefully, I get up without disturbing her and take the phone to the other room to answer.
“Hey.” My voice is scratchy and my head is pounding from the goddamned champagne, the lack of sleep and yet another disturbingly erotic dream starring the woman who is now my wife. “What’s up?”
“You know I’d never, ever bother you this morning unless I really had to.”
“Yeah, I know, which is why you’re making me nervous.”
“The whole world is going mad over you getting married. It’s the lead story everywhere.”
“Everywhere meaning…”
“The whole fucking world, Flynn. The paparazzi have descended upon Vegas. They have every street in the city covered. I’ve been in touch with the security firm this morning, and they’re worried about getting you guys out of there today.”
I can’t help it. I start to laugh.
“Are you laughing? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“It’s just so ridiculous, Addie. So I got married. Why does anyone care?”
“Umm, is that a rhetorical question?”
“It is in the sense that I don’t expect you to answer it.”
“Well, that’s a relief. It’s your own fault for saying you’d never get married again and then marrying someone you met a few weeks ago.”
“You have to admit it’s a cool story.”
“Precisely why the whole world is interested, especially in light of everything that’s come out about her in the last week.”
“I have an idea of how we can get out of here. Let me make a couple of calls, and I’ll get back to you.”
“I’ll be here.”
I place a call to Gordon Yates, the owner of the security firm we work with for all of Quantum’s needs in LA. He answers my call on the first ring.
“There’s the man of the hour.”
“So I hear.”
“I understand congratulations are in order.”
“Thanks, Gordon.”
“We’re trying to figure out the best way to get you out of there. I’ve been in touch with security at the hotel, and we’re working on a few ideas.”
“What about a chopper from the roof?”
“That’s on our short list.”
“Let’s do that. I’d like to get Natalie out of here and back to LA with minimal fuss and no screaming paps.”
“Give me two hours to set it up.”
“Take three. I got married last night. I want to wake my new wife properly.”
Gordon laughs. “You got it. I’ll call you in three hours with the details.”
“Thanks, Gord.”
I call Addie back to tell her the plan and ask her to have my Ducati taken to the LA airport along with two helmets.
“I’m on it.”
“Thanks, Addie. One of these days, you’ll get a day off. I promise.”
“I’m not holding my breath, but that’s okay. I happen to love my job.”
“Thanks again for everything these last couple of weeks. We both appreciate it so much.”
“The picture from last night was awesome. I hope you guys had the best day ever.”
“It was a good one. Talk to you when we get back to LA.”
“Sounds good.”
I leave my phone on a table in the main room and return to the bedroom, where Natalie is still asleep. I use the bathroom and brush my teeth before getting back into bed with her. She murmurs in her sleep and snuggles up to me, her arm wrapping around me like she’s been sleeping with me for years rather than days.
It’s so natural between us, the attraction, the banter, the desire. It’s all there. Her body is warm and soft against mine, and my reaction to her is swift and predictable. If she’s in the same ZIP code as me, I want her. When she’s naked in bed with me, I’m helpless.
I lay there holding her for a while before she stirs, looking up at me with those big eyes. “Why are you awake so early?”
“Already dealing with logistics to get out of here. Apparently, we’re the story of the day around the world.”
“Yay,” she says with a nervous laugh.
“How do you feel about becoming famous practically overnight?”
“About the same as I feel about becoming married practically overnight. It’s all good.”
“Yes, it is.”
“So what happens the morning after one marries the most famous actor in the world?”
“You have a number of choices as the wife of the most famous actor in the world. A, you can order anything you want for breakfast. B, you can make love to your famous actor husband, and C, you can do all of the above.”