Page 19 of Just One: Box Set
Chapter One
A llison had never imagined that the only good thing to come out of the mortifying discovery that her fiancé was married—to someone else—would be a free trip to Venice.
It was supposed to have been their honeymoon, but she’d repurposed it into her own personal “get over Austin” vacation.
Her plan seemed foolproof, at least until an unplanned stop in Vegas for her brother's wedding had turned everything upside down.
Her body still hummed with the memory of the hookup that had happened less than twenty-four hours ago.
The way he’d taken control of her body was like nothing she’d ever experienced.
If that was what sex was supposed to feel like, then her relationship with Austin was definitely a blessing in disguise, because he’d been missing something crucial.
Austin had been on her mind far too much lately, but after a quick layover in New York, her thoughts were consumed by her time in Vegas instead.
Relief washed over her when the captain's voice crackled over the intercom, announcing their approach to Venice, forty minutes out. She’d tried to distract herself—sleeping, reading three books, even watching a movie—but Damon Cross kept slipping into her thoughts.
The sexy attorney she’d left behind in Vegas. Naked. In his bed.
She had a flight to catch, she reminded herself, but the memory of him lingered.
He was supposed to be a one-night stand, no strings attached, yet the complications had piled up the second she remembered who he was: Harley’s brother.
Her new sister-in-law. Family dinners were definitely going to be awkward.
When Damon had first approached her on the dance floor at the wedding, she’d brushed him off.
But later, when he found her crying alone in the hallway, he hadn’t hesitated.
He simply pulled her into his arms and held her while she sobbed over her shattered heart.
No judgment. No questions. Just him, steady and comforting.
He’d convinced her to come to his room, just to talk, but a few drinks later, she’d begged him for something else—to help her forget her pain.
And he had resisted at first. Damon was a good guy, too good, and he’d tried to be the gentleman by suggesting he take her back to her own room.
He didn’t want to be a regret in the morning.
But Allison had been determined. She’d dropped to her knees, tugged down his zipper, and that had ended the debate.
The next morning, she’d woken with a delicious ache between her legs and Damon’s strong arms wrapped around her as if he feared she’d disappear.
Which she did. Climbing out of his bed had been harder than she’d anticipated, but she bolted to the airport like her life depended on it, fleeing faster than she had from her relationship with Austin.
Now, as she stared out at the dark sky from her seat on the plane, regret gnawed at her. Why had she left so abruptly? She told herself it was because of her flight, but the truth was messier. Her plane hadn’t been until nine, yet she’d sprinted from Damon’s room by six.
The captain’s announcement pulled her from her reverie, and she straightened her seat, watching as the sky began to brighten with streaks of orange.
Venice had always been a dream, though she hadn’t expected to arrive like this—alone, reeling from heartbreak.
Still, she was determined to enjoy it, to lose herself in the beauty of the city.
Disembarking the plane took forever, but eventually, she found her luggage and headed for a water taxi.
As the boat cut through the water, Allison’s mood began to lift.
The vibrant energy of Venice was so far removed from her life back home that she felt like she’d stepped into a dream.
But the thought of Austin, of the ruined honeymoon, still left a bitter taste in her mouth.
The older man steering the water taxi spoke, breaking into her thoughts with a teasing remark about her sour expression.
His words, spoken in Italian, stirred something in her, and she smiled softly as she replied, matching his playful tone.
He reminded her of her father, with his gentle concern.
As she spoke back in fluent Italian, she felt a sense of peace.
Venice had always called to her, and despite everything, it felt right to be here.
The man’s words stayed with her as she climbed out of the boat and tipped him generously.
She took a deep breath, soaking up the warm sunlight, and resolved to let go of her past, if only for the length of her stay.
No job, no fiancé, no plans. Just her and Venice.
The possibilities stretched before her, endless and tantalizing.
The hotel lobby was as enchanting as she’d hoped.
Dark, rustic, with arched ceilings that made her feel like she’d stepped back in time.
After a quick check-in, she was led to her room, a presidential suite that felt laughably out of place for a solo traveler.
The bellman’s inquisitive glance said it all, and Allison braced herself for his inevitable question.
“Tuo marito si unirà a te più tardi?” he asked, tilting his head.
Allison closed her eyes briefly before replying, “Afraid not. Turns out, he chose someone else.” She forced a smile, but the words still stung. “But hey, I got this amazing trip out of it, so who am I to complain?”
The bellman smiled sympathetically before replying, “I’d like to say that’s a shame, but it’s not. Means you’re free for true love.” He winked, and Allison couldn’t help the blush that crept up her cheeks.
After introducing himself as Lorenzo, he made a bold offer to show her around Venice if she needed a guide. His broad smile and playful charm made it hard to say no, but Allison waved him off with a polite, “Maybe.” Though the way her body heated under his gaze had her questioning her resolve.
Still, the last thing she needed was another man in her life. The memory of Damon and the fire he’d ignited in her was already too fresh, too raw. He was everything she should avoid but forgetting him was proving impossible. Every time she closed her eyes, she could see him. Feel him.
As exhaustion began to take over, Allison kicked off her shoes and climbed into bed. Sleep tugged at her, but even in the quiet of her room, her thoughts wouldn’t stop. Damon’s face haunted her, and the intensity of what they’d shared wouldn’t fade.
And she wondered if she’d ever be able to forget him—or if, deep down, she even wanted to.