Page 18 of The Healing Touch

One of the things I’d like to do this weekend is bend you over the bed and fuck you so hard, you’ll remember it for a week, he thought darkly as they crossed the Virginia state line.

He listened absently as she gave him the rundown on the weekend’s event from table set-up to photo ops and lunch schedules. She went on about what to expect from the people coming to greet him as they drove through Virginia. The sound of her voice soothed some of his anger. That was why he called her late at night when his depression was about to take him to dark and dangerous places. She always managed to shine a bit of light into the darkness surrounding him, enough to keep him afloat.

They continued to talk about the event, his books, his fans, anything book related for the next several hours. They switched places halfway through Virginia. His legs were killing him, and Becca offered to drive. He’d been hesitant at first, but she’d laughed her ass off, telling him her dad had her driving when she was ten. Another thing he didn’t know about her was that she was mechanically inclined. Cars, trucks, bikes…she could work on them all. Part of growing up with a motorcycle club, he guessed. He had no fucking clue how to work on a car. They went to the garage when they broke, and he picked them up when they were good to go.

The sky eventually bled from a brilliant blue to inky black. He blinked, not realizing he’d fallen asleep to the soulful tones of fucking country music. He turned his head and studied Becca as she drove, her thoughts a million miles away. She seemed peaceful as she hummed along to the radio. Carefree, nothing like the woman who’d piled into the Jeep early this morning. This was the girl he knew from their phone conversations, the girl who laughed at anything and always had him bristling from her teasing. She gave as good as she got from him. He riled her, and she did the same to him.

Fucking her would be so easy. Coming back from that? Knowing he would do it without any intentions of anything but a summer booty call? He’d rip her heart apart, and he’d lose his best friend. Watching her now, he knew he couldn’t let himself be that selfish. Her friendship meant everything to him. He had to resist the temptation that was Rebecca Joyce.

“Where are we?”

Becca jumped at the sound of his voice and glanced over at him before turning back to the road. “Just outside of Charleston. You’ve been asleep for hours.”

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“Because you were exhausted.” He’d been yawning for a good two hours before he passed out. She didn’t mind the quiet either. Spending so much time by oneself tended to make you appreciate the gentle solitude of silence. “Once we get checked in, I’ll take a shower then come by your room and help you get everything ready.”

“About that…”

Becca’s eyes narrowed at the hesitant sheepishness in his words. “About what?”

“Well, we’re sharing a room. I called before we left the dealership to let the hotel know we wouldn’t be arriving until after two a.m. and checked on a room for you. There weren’t any more available, and I had a queen, so I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal.”

Not a big deal? He was out of his damn mind.

“Dimitri, I cannot share your hotel room with you.”Nope, nope, nope.

“Why not? It’s not like I’m asking you to share a bed. You’ll have your own.”

The GPS interrupted her by announcing they’d arrived at their destination—The French Quarter Inn. She stared as she turned into the hotel drive. It was old, historic, and absolutely beautiful, even in the shadows of the night. She couldn’t wait to see what it looked like early in the morning. If she managed to get up at dawn, she should be able to get out and about before too many people rolled out of bed. That was if she managed to force her feet through the doorway. It had taken Dimitri ten minutes to talk her into getting out of the car at the dealership.

When she put the Jeep into park, she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She could see the valet hurrying over, which meant she’d need to vacate her haven. He wouldn’t give her ten minutes to gather her courage.

Dimitri’s fingers slipped between hers, and she took several deep breaths. “Take as long as you need, sweetheart. He’ll wait.”

A smile tugged at her lips. He knew her too well. Even after only learning about her panic attacks this morning, he was already helping more than he could possibly know.

She did make him wait for five minutes while she sat there clutching Dimitri’s hand and trying to give herself the pep talk of the century. “Get out and move him away from my door, please. I don’t want to be rude.”

“You have to let go of my hand first.” His laughter rolled over her, and she shuddered. He had to have felt it because his laughter died, but she refused to open her eyes. If he realized how much he affected her, she knew all bets would be off. Dimitri would try something. It was in his nature. It wouldn’t mean anything to him, but it would to her. She wasn’t about to let her heart get annihilated. Gathering her courage, she let his fingers slip from hers.

He sat there a full minute before she heard the door open and close. Another minute went by, and then her door opened. “You’re all good, sweetheart. Just turn off the car and give me your hand.”

Always so simple. Just give me your hand. Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel. Not only was she outside her apartment, but she was in a city she didn’t know. A big city where thousands of people roamed. This was a mistake. She knew it like she knew she had to drink at least three cups of coffee to function upon waking.

Dimitri leaned into the car, his lips grazing her ear as he spoke. “It’s okay, Becca. There are no crowds, just you, me, and Mike here.”

“But what about inside?” She hated the whispered fear she couldn’t choke down. Hated it more than anything.

“The lobby looks pretty empty, honey. It’s almost three in the morning.”

Becca let her eyelids flutter open, and she glanced inside the glass doors. It did look empty. All she had to do was get out of the car, make it inside long enough for Dimitri to check them in, and then an elevator ride up. The safety of a closed door was within reach.

“Take my hand, baby. It’ll be okay. I promise.”

His outstretched palm waited, and she laid her hand in it. He squeezed.

“Good girl.” He didn’t give her time to do anything. He unsnapped her seatbelt and pulled her out. She landed against his chest with a thump. He caught her and let her slide slowly down his body. All the air left her lungs, and she gazed up at him. His blue eyes were dark, intense, moody.

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