Page 71 of Fix You

Milos’s eyes shot wide. “Are you sure?”

Although I knew he was just looking out for me, I didn’t like him questioning my decisions. “Remember your place.”

Regret filled his expression. “My apologies, sir.”

Without another word to Milos, I bent over and drew Maeve into my arms. Rising to my feet, I began slowly carrying her back to the SUV through the slippery snow. Sniffles trembled through her body as she lay her head on my shoulder. Inching forward, she buried her face in my neck, the shudders of her cries ghosted over my skin.

When we got to the SUV, Milos had the back door opened for us. After easing her onto the bench seat, I slid her over before I flopped down. Since I would’ve had to pry her off of me, I didn’t bother with a seatbelt. Her dress was wet from the snow, so I grabbed a blanket from the back and wrapped it around us.

The drive to the hotel was silent except for her sniffles and shudders. Absently, I rubbed wide circles over her shivering back with my hand while speaking words to her in Italian. I don’tknow why I did it in Italian, rather than English, especially since she didn’t understand a word I was saying. Maybe it was because I was so shell-shocked myself.

When we arrived at the hotel, Milos met my gaze in the rearview mirror. “Please call and ask them for access to the rear entrance,” I instructed.

“Yes, sir,” he replied.

The last thing I wanted to do was drag an emotionally vulnerable woman through a hotel lobby for prying eyes to stare at her. A few minutes passed and then we were given the green light.

Once we arrived at the rear entrance, I gathered Maeve up as I slid across the seat. Milos opened the door, and I eased us out of the SUV. With the blanket tightly around her, I began walking Maeve inside the hotel.

A hotel staff member was waiting on us. Apparently, they’d been informed of who I was because he kept his gaze averted. The only real power I had in Boston was because of the Kavanaughs, but tonight I would take it if it meant keeping Maeve protected.

When we reached my hotel room, Milos had the door open for us. I swept inside and made my way straight to the bathroom. After I carried Maeve inside, I eased her down onto the toilet seat.

When I started to pull away, she clawed at my shirt, digging her fingers into the material. “Don’t leave me,” she begged.

“Just for a minute so I can draw you a bath so you can get warm.”

After staring desperately into my eyes, she finally released me. I went over to the tub and turned on the hot water. Once I perfected the temperature, I eyed the bath oils and bubbles on the sink. I brought a few to my nose before deciding on one.

I poured it into the water, watching as the foam began to grow. When I turned back to Maeve, she appeared so fragile sitting there. With her alabaster skin, she looked like a China doll.

Scratching the back of my neck, I debated how I was going to get her undressed. I sure as hell didn’t think I needed to have any part in it, but at the same time, I didn’t know if she could. She was so emotionally and physically spent.

I crossed the distance between us and squatted down in front of her. “Maeve, your bath is ready. Do you think you can get undressed by yourself?”

She dragged her gaze from the tile up to mine. When she slowly shook her head, I grimaced. “Do you want me to help you?” At the bobbing of her head, I cursed under my breath.

“As much as I want to help you, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do.” When she stared at me blankly, I added, “I don’t think it’s a good idea for a man to take off your clothes…in your state.”

“But you’re different.”

“Am I?” I croaked.

“I trust you.”

Fuck. I wished she didn’t. I wasn’t a good man. There was no way in hell I wasn’t going to be a dirty bastard and look at her with lust. Her body was stunning in her clothes. I couldn’t imagine what it would be without them.

No, no, no. I couldn’t be a creep. I had to turn off that side of me. I had to be a good man for Maeve. She deserved only the best.

To my surprise, Maeve rose off the toilet seat. With her eyes locked on mine, she extended her hand. I slipped mine into hers and then pulled myself to my feet. “Help me with my dress,” she commanded in a whisper.

Biting back a curse, I bent over to take the hem of the barely there green fabric. I jerked it up her thighs and over her hips. Inwardly, I groaned at the sight of the scrap of lace covering her center. After Maeve raised her arms, I pulled the dress and tossed it onto the floor.

Modesty somewhat overtook Maeve because she crossed her arms over her bare breasts. “Turn around, please.”

With a nod, I whirled around. But the instant I glanced into the mirror, I realized my mistake. I had the perfect view of Maeve’s bare back as she tugged her thong over her hips and down her thighs.

God, she was perfection.

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