Free Romance: Duplicity (Duplicity New Adult Romance Book 1) by K.T. Knight

from down the hall confirms my worst fears. "Morning, gorgeous. Stay there, I'm coming right back." A familiar, friendly voice, that should not still be here.
    I'm trembling, my brain trying to process the missing information. Did something happen last night with me and Adam? No, surely not. Relief floods me. He would never take advantage of me like that. Anyway, I was in no fit state for any shenanigans. Impossible. Phew.
    My head's still whirring, the brief moment of relief short-lived. Then why is he still here? Filled with an imploding sense of doom, I close my eyes. I will wake up in a minute, it's just a dream. Right?
    Wrong.
    "Hey babe, are you ready for coffee?"
    Adam appears in the doorway, bare chested in just his jeans. His hair's wet from the shower. My brain is starting to come back to life, connecting the dots. Even in my delicate state, there's no denying his fit silhouette. What have I done? The stirring between my legs is a warning sign, and as the flashback from last night flickers through my mind, it only serves to confirm what my gut already knew seconds after waking.
    I can't remember the details. But we did it.
    Inside I'm screaming, as Adam approaches and sets the coffee on the bedside table. I try to sit up, while he sits on the side of the bed and does that thing with my hair, pushing it tenderly off my face.
    "Poor Holly, suffering today, eh babe?" His face moves closer to mine, looking at me with such affection. I can't catch his eye. Go away go away go away go away. He kisses me softly on the lips, and it's all I can do to stop myself recoiling.
    "I've got football in a bit, but I'll be back later ok? If you're feeling better we can do something. Or I can always jump back in beside you." OMFG!
    Oh Adam, so sweet and I'm such a cow. I've ruined everything between us. There's no way I want this to go any further, but I've no idea how to tell him what a huge mistake I've made.
    Chin quivering, I try to find the right words, if only to buy some time until I can think this through. Damn drink, damn Nick Van Hoogen, and most of all, damn me. It's not Adam's fault, stuck in the cross-fire.
    "Hey, Ad, this is all a bit much for me. I think I had too much to drink last night, you know? Can we leave it and I'll call you later? Tara will be home tonight, I'll be fine."
    Adam is crushed, the look in his eyes reflecting the pain of my rejection. There's a pause, while he looks at me, and this time I meet his gaze, hoping that we can still be okay after what's happened.
    He suddenly brightens up, kissing me again. "Don't worry, Holly. I know you think this is a mistake but it's meant to be. I love you, Holly. I won't let you down like Nick. What we have is so special, you know? Last night was pure magic. Just think it over. Give us a chance, please." Taking my hand, his eyes are pleading with me, awaiting my response.
    I can't bear it. It's too early, I feel like shit, I'm so confused and I can't think straight. My body is waking up, and muscles I didn't even know I had are aching. Whatever the hell I doing last night, it must have involved some acrobatics. Adam's still staring at me, waiting, and I close my eyes and inhale deeply, desperately trying to think my way out of this.
    Clearly my judgment with Nick has been up the left. Maybe I was wrong all along to have pushed Adam away. Lots of people are good friends before they hook up. Have I been so stupid all along, ignoring the advances of the one person who could maybe make me happy? Is Adam really the man for me? I don't know what I want right now but I do know I can't bear to lose Adam as a friend. Dear, sweet, faithful Adam.
    Opening my eyes, I know what I have to do. "I'm a mess Adam. Sorry. I need some time out. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, you mean so much to me." My eyes well up. "I'm not saying we don't have a future, but now's not the right time. I don't know where I stand with Nick or what's going to happen at work. My whole career at