Page 25 of Only If You Dare

Chapter Nine

The authorities arrived within minutes of my phone call. Security at the gate shut the entrance down to residents only while the police investigated Desiree’s condo. After speaking to Houston PD for a little longer than thirty minutes, I left the condo to check on Desiree who was waiting in her car. I wanted to make sure she was okay. The late evening had arrived, and neighbors stood outdoors, along the walkway across the street, and off to the side. I doubled down a few steps and was at the passenger door of Desiree’s car in a blink. I reached for the handle opening it, and crouched to get a good look at her. A faraway expression sat in Desiree’s eyes with her vision fixed directly in front of her.

“Desiree…”

She turned her head slowly to look at me, and I folded my hands around hers.

“Is there anything you’d like to get from the apartment before we leave?”

Finally, she blinked as if coming back to the here and now. Desiree cast a quick glance around.

“What did they say?”

Her voice was different, and I was wary about her state of mind.

“They don’t want you staying here for a while. I’m going to take you back to the hotel with me.”

She didn’t respond. I pulled her soft hand to my lips and placed a gentle kiss on the back. She turned back to me and tried to offer a smile.

“You’re very kind,” she said. “But I’ll call Santana. It looks like we’ll both need somewhere to stay for a while. So we can stay together.”

“Okay,” I said. “You can both stay at the hotel with me.”

“Don’t be silly. You’re a busy man. I don’t expect you to sit around and babysit us. Besides, we’re capable of taking care of each other.”

“I don’t doubt it, Desiree. However, I want to take care of you myself. And furthermore, you’re a part of my busy days for the next several weeks. Remember?”

I waited for her to give me more resistance. But to my belated surprise, she didn’t.

“We’ll stay at the hotel, but not in your room.”

“That’s fine.”

I kissed the back of her hand again.

“I can’t go back in right now. I’ll go to the mall or something, I need to gather some things for our trip to Dubai anyway.”

I smiled inside and released a deep breath, rising to my feet. As I rounded the car, I couldn’t help but look out at the people still gathering and wondered whether the individual responsible was watching. It didn’t sit well with me that her life was in danger, but I would make sure to keep her safe at all costs. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I reached over and pulled Desiree close, laying a kiss against her temples. There were no words that came between us, and she allowed the embrace that I gave. This felt like home, in a way, going home to see my father had never felt. My breathing was easy and my mind relaxed as we sat there content in our world. Why I never wanted to let her go was beyond me, but I was willing to see this thing through to the very end. Either this powerful attraction between us warranted something much deeper, or my carnal lust had gotten the best of me. Yet, as I held on to Desiree, somehow, I knew it was the former.

Starting the engine to her Honda, we made our way through the growing crowd as onlookers stepping into the street to get a closer eye on Desiree. It was rude and disrespectful, but I kept in mind that these were her neighbors; probably wanting to make sure Desiree was unharmed. I’d thought that would be our biggest issue until we exited Manchester Cove and came face to face with a flash of cameras from various news stations around the city. Reporters and cameramen ran up, throwing out questions as we passed by. I reached over and pulled the seatbelt over Desiree. Someone hit the window harder than I cared for and the urge to pull over and get out to teach them a lesson was palpable. Instead, I hit the gas, putting as much distance between Manchester Cove and us as possible.

Desiree moved to reach inside her handbag pulling out her cell. Wordlessly, she sent a text to whom I’m assuming was Santana. After sending her message, Desiree laid her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. She was stressed out, and I’d been given a thought.

“What would you say if we started our trip earlier than Friday,” I said.

When her soft gaze met mine, the tug in my chest made me clear my throat.

“Are you sure?” she asked quietly. “I don’t want to disrupt your plans. You’ve been nice enough as it is.”

“Desiree,” I called holding her gaze. “I wouldn’t ask if it would present a problem. Nothing is set in stone. A little rearranging will be fine. I want to get you out of the country. There’s something I want you to experience with me.”

I glanced to the road stopping at a red light.

“What is it?” she asked.

I reached for her hand intertwining our fingers. “I’d rather show you, Bella. Say you’ll come.”

I felt a shiver run through her.

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