“Before what?”
“Before you met me.” Smiling, Kealen nodded for me to follow him. “Come on.”
I hesitated, unsure if I should trust a man I had just met. But I had nothing to lose, there was nowhere for me to go, no one to call, no one to come save me.
All I had was a life to run from.
Huffing under my breath, I pursed my lips. “Where are we going?”
“You're coming with me.”
“What does that mean?”
“You'll see.” His smile broadened as his full lips lifted from ear to ear.
Even with how horrible I felt, I still wanted to kiss him. His lips looked soft, smooth, and easy to kiss. I was riding this strange high, a mix of sexual desire and freedom with hopelessness floating in between.
It was easy for me to forget the situation I had just found myself in while he was near me. I hadn't completely been able to understand why, and right then, I didn't care. I was going to ride this rollercoaster till I hit the peak and dropped off.
Kealen walked back in the direction we had just come from, passing the stairs I had marched down and going up another set in the far back of the courtyard. Tugging a key card from his back pocket, he stopped at a door and shoved it into the thin slot.
His arm pushed open the door as he twisted to look down on me. “Welcome to option number two, my room, the next stop in your tour of Waterford City.”
Who the hell was this man?
He had walked into my world, ready to fight off a man he didn't know for a woman he had just stumbled upon. And now he was swooping me under his arm and saving the day again.
How was I going to repay him for everything he was doing?
“You're kidding? We're staying in the same hotel?”
“Seems that way, and now it looks like we'll be staying in the same room.”
I couldn't understand his willingness to save me. Either he was just a really nice guy or he had ulterior motives.
Which I couldn't lie and say I would mind if he tried anything, but to agree to stay with someone I didn't know was crazy.
Except, what the hell was I going to do?
I was literally trapped and without a fucking thing to call my own. I was in an unfamiliar place, with no money, no way out.
Against all my gut instincts to just say no and walk away, I actually thought about it. The gesture was nice, but the risk in agreeing was huge. I had just met this guy, could I really stay with him in his room?
“So, what do you say?”
“I don't know what to say. I don't know you, remember?” Crossing my arms over my chest, I stood just outside the door.
“Well, you're about to get to know me.” Tossing the card onto the small table by the door, he turned to me. “I have two beds, so don't get any ideas.” His laugh hit my chest, forcing me to giggle.
I was already falling for this man and I knew absolutely nothing about him. But he had already done more for me than anyone else.
“I can't believe I'm agreeing to share a room with a stranger.” Taking a long, slow step into the room, he let the door swing shut behind me.
“I can't believe it either. Aren't there after school specials about shit like this?” A gritty chuckle hit his lips as he tipped his head back. “I'm kidding. Trust me, I'm harmless.”