Author Note: Song Prompt for this chapter - Torn, performed by Natalie Imbruglia

Sarah:

Sarah groaned at the invading sunlight, rousing her from a deep sleep. She stretched lazily, and then last night hit like a lightning bolt, and she sat up. The spot in the bed beside her was empty. A rogue thought that he'd slipped away during the night quickly dissolved when she remembered she was in Rick's motel room.

His clothes from last night were still strewn on the floor, along with two empty condom packets.

Where was he?

She flipped open the bed sheet and padded over to the bathroom. She picked up the clothes she had left on the counter and paused to stare at herself in the mirror. She grimaced. Her hair was a tangled mess, and her body showed knowing signs.

She timidly touched a mark on her left shoulder, smiling as she remembered Rick's mouth against her skin. Last night was still very vividly etched in her mind, and deep down, she knew she wanted a repeat performance.

*

Rick:

Rick quietly opened the motel room door. The sound of the shower made him sigh, and the muscles in his neck eased. He closed the door and set the two cups of coffee he had bought on the side table next to it.

His morning jog had been plagued by so many scenarios of what could happen once he returned.

Would she still be there?

Would she still be asleep?

What would he do?

What would he say?

His heart pounded in his chest as he caught sight of the bed. She had driven him wild last night. He couldn't remember a woman ever making him lose control like that.

The water stopped, and he hurried across the room to pick up his clothes and the empty condom packets, stuffing them into his suitcase as the bathroom door opened.

"H-hey," he said sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck, looking everywhere but at her.

*

Sarah:

Sarah pulled on her bottom lip. He was avoiding eye contact, and her heart sank.
"Hi, uh, I just quickly took a shower. I should probably leave." She turned, grabbing her coat from a nearby chair, and then froze when she saw the two cups of coffee.

"I bought coffee. I wasn't sure how-how you like it, so-" he broke off as he rummaged in his shorts pockets.

"Here," he said, holding out several sugar packets.

Sarah smiled, reaching for a cup. "Thank you, Rick. For the coffee and last night." Her smile widened as Rick flushed a brilliant red.

"You were still sleeping, and I didn't want to bother you, so I went for a run, and I thought, well, coffee would be nice." He crossed the room and took the other cup.

"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"

*

Rick:

Rick almost choked on the coffee, the warm liquid bubbling in his mouth before escaping down his throat.

"Wh-what?"

"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Sarah repeated, stepping forward and gingerly wiping a drop of coffee from his chin. "Or would you rather we just end it here and say goodbye?"

Rick blinked. Her straightforwardness was cutting deep into his indecisiveness. He was torn between his undeniable attraction to this woman and the uncomplicated, safe world he had carved out for himself. The fact that she was still here...did it mean something?

"There is a diner a block from the bar," he answered.

"Great! Meet you there at 7?"

Rick nodded, and she leaned forward to press a kiss on his cheek. "See you later, Rick."

And then she was gone.

*

Sarah

Sarah rushed down the stairs and fled the motel before she changed her mind.

What the hell was she doing?

This was not the time to get involved, regardless of whether it was just a fling.

Was Rick just a fling? There was something about him that had her hooked the moment she had ambushed him into a dance. And the rest, as they say, was history. One she had thoroughly enjoyed.

By the time she got to her car, still parked in front of the bar, her mind was a mess. Inviting Rick to dinner had been impulsive, and regret was already gnawing at her insides.

They were strangers and knew nothing about each other. Dinner would change that.

She climbed into her car, tossing her coat onto the backseat, and reached for the leather folder she had left on the passenger seat. She flipped it open, and a small frown embedded itself between her brows.

Did she dare allow herself this small reprieve from a maddening world that had already caused her so much pain and grief? Did she dare allow herself to breathe and be happy? Even for just a little while?

She closed the folder and threw it back onto the seat next to her. She set the car in motion and sped down the town's main street.

Meeting Rick might have been untimely and their little tryst unexpected, but he was exactly the diversion she needed.

*