Page 71 of Off Limits (Alpha Billionaire)

The drive to the hotel didn’t take very long. I simply didn’t understand what she was doing there. Why had she left the house? Why hadn’t she mentioned leaving to anyone?

When I arrived, I saw her car right away. She was here. Inside the lobby, the place seemed deserted. Through the large glass doors, I could see several housekeeping trolleys parked outside the rooms, the centrally located pool, and the lounge chairs.

In one of the lounge chairs, fully reclined and under an oversized umbrella, I spotted her. Her tote bag rested in a heap on the cement, and her feet were propped on the end of the chair that was supposed to support a person's back. I strode through the doors and outside.

She looked uncomfortable.

“Jessica,” I said.

She let out a familiar moan. It was a sound she made when she wasn’t happy in her sleep. She shifted around a bit but didn’t really move. I walked around and sat in the chair next to her. She was curled up on her side, her face pinched with pain in her sleep.

I sat and watched her for a while. When I determined she was going to stay that way for a bit longer, I headed inside to see if I could find her some water. She was going to need her pain meds when she woke up.

The hotel clerk was behind the desk when I stepped back inside.

“Hello, checking in?” she asked.

“No, no. Do you have a bar or vending machines where I can get some water?” I asked.

“We do have a bar, but they don’t open until four. If you just want some water, I can get you a glass. Would that be okay?”

I said it would, and she left, returning a moment later with a large plastic cup full of ice water.

“Thank you. Could you tell me how long Jessica has been here?” I pointed through the glass doors to Jessica.

“She arrived pretty early. Her room won’t be ready until two.”

“She’s already checked us in? Good. Did she get a king bed, or two doubles?” I don’t know why I decided to play along that we were checking in, but there was no reason to bring this woman into our drama.

“Oh, she didn’t specify that. Your room is a double-double. She just wanted something close to the front. Because of her feet, I guess?”

I nodded. “Yeah, that makes sense. If you could upgrade up to a king, I’d appreciate that. Thanks.”

32

JESSICA

Iopened my eyes from one of the most uncomfortable naps I’ve ever had to see Dylan sitting there. A tall red plastic cup sat on the little patio table between us. His face looked tight, and he squinted as he gazed out. For a minute, I forgot where I was. And then I remembered I had tried to run away, and I was waiting for a hotel room.

“Dylan? What are you doing here?” I asked. My voice sounded like a frog had moved into my throat.

He didn’t turn his head to look at me. “I could ask you the very same thing, Jessica.”

I tried to push myself into a more upright position, but whatever contortions I had done on the lounge chair, I wasn’t capable. With a grunt, I lay back down.

Dylan’s head snapped, and he turned his face to me. He looked bad. He hadn’t been getting much sleep, and then I couldn’t tell if it was anger or concern that etched the lines around his eyes and set his mouth in a straight line. After a moment of hardglaring, everything softened and he was out of his chair and by my side.

“Are you okay? Do you need help?” he asked.

I held out my hand. He took my hand and braced my back so I could pivot. He pulled my bag off the ground and propped it under my feet.

“I hurt. Pills are in there.” I pointed to the bag.

He got my pills and handed me the cup full of water.

“Thank you,” I said as I handed it back.

He was gentle and caring, and he was here.

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