Page 12 of Sins & Paradise

I clench my hands together in front of me and say a swift prayer that not every man is the same as Miguel.

"What are you praying for?" Lobo asks.

My initial response is to tell him it's none of his business, but I think I might have offended him enough for one day.

"My safety. In case you haven't noticed, I don't really know you." I smirk and shrug one shoulder.

"Well, at least you're smart enough to realize this isn't the norm. Like I said before, though, you don't have to worry about me doing something to hurt you. Coca sent me over here to check inon you, and that's what I'm doing. I'm just going to make sure you're good and safe."

"And what of tomorrow? You going to follow me every day?" I chuckle.

"I'd follow you for the rest of my life if I had to." The words slide out of his mouth almost as if he wasn't expecting to say it. He clears his throat and points into the distance, trying to change the subject. "That's where we're going."

I look in that direction and see a large house that looks more like a bed and breakfast than a hotel, but I do see quite a few bikes and cars parked outside. I guess this is what passes as a hotel in this small town. I'm grateful it's not so far from the bakery. I don't want to be late in the morning.

Lobo and I walk into the already bustling hotel, and there are a few men all wearing the same vest he is in the hotel already.

"That was fast," one of the men laughs and stares straight at Lobo.

"Shut the hell up; it's not like that." He shoots the other man a deadly glance before he focuses his attention on the reception desk. "We're going to need another room."

I watch as the woman's face drops and her eyes open comically. "Lobo, I'm sorry, we have absolutely no more rooms left. Even some of you guys had to double up. We're completelybooked up." The woman swallowed hard, and I noticed the fear flickering in her eyes. I wonder what she could be so scared of when it comes to Lobo; maybe I'm not as safe as I think I am.

"It's fine. I'll find somewhere else to go. It's no big deal, really." I do my best to backpedal, but Lobo grabs hold of my wrists and keeps me from moving too far away.

"No, you're not going anywhere."

I yank my arm, but he doesn't let me go. "What the hell are you talking about? I'm not your prisoner. I can go anywhere I want to go." I snap at him, but instead of that being enough for him to let me go, he only tugs me hard once, forcing my body to fall against his.

"Angela, you're on a foreign island, sleeping out in the open with no money or family to help you out. Honestly, I'm the only option you have. I'm not going to leave you out on your own. I meant that when I said it before. Just trust me a little bit." He turns back to the reception desk. "Do you have a rollaway cot?"

The receptionist's eyes light up, and she nods her head a few times.

"Great, have it placed in my room." With that, Lobo grabs hold of my hand again, and we walk to the stairs that lead up to the second floor.

"Don't hurt him, baby," one of the men downstairs yells up behind me and starts to laugh. My face burns with embarrassment. I don't think I'll ever get used to people being so crude when it comes to sex. I know it's the way of the world; I just wasn't brought up like that. Sex was a bad thing, at least when it came to me.

Lobo completely disregards the people talking behind us and nearly drags me behind him toward a room. He opens the door with a key he pulls out of his pocket and gestures with his hand that I should go in. I'm stuck in the doorway, just looking into the small room. I'm not sure what he's expecting, but no good could come from me stepping into a room with a man I'd only just met.

This is what the nuns would say is setting up for a sin.

It's not like I'm tempted. Sure, he's handsome, and he did take the time out to try and help me, but the last thing I'm thinking about right now is being with a man. The last experience I had with a man will be my first and only. I never want to do it again.

"I can sleep out in the hall," I whisper and look over my shoulder at Lobo, who only rolls his eyes and gently pushes me forward so he can come in behind me.

My body begins to shake when I hear him close the door behind me.

"Maybe I should find another woman to sleep with? Wouldn't that be better?" I ask, turning and focusing my attention on him.

“All the women are bunked up in two rooms; there's barely enough space for them, let alone another. You heard the receptionist. The hotel is completely booked up. Get comfortable."

I could make a run for it, but like he already drilled into my head, I didn't have anywhere to go, and it did feel nice to have somewhere indoors to lay my head. Not having to worry about the elements felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders.

Slowly, I slipped off my shoes and lined them up neatly in the corner before I sat back in the chair with my hands folded in my lap.

Lobo walked around and picked up a few pieces of clothing, possibly to make it more appealing for me. "You can sleep on the bed." He pointed to the small full-sized bed.

"No, I thought you told them to bring you a cot. Isn't that for me?" I'm confused.

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