Page 30 of Liberating Mia
“Come on then, Sugar. We can order room service, and while we wait for it to arrive, we can grab that shower.”
“Um …”
Obviously, he must have seen something on her face as he cracked up. “Separately, Mia.”
Feeling sheepish, Mia chuckled along. “Oh. Sorry. That was presumptuous of me.”
“Don’t doubt I wouldn’t snap the opportunity to grab a shower with you, just not tonight.”
“Right. Off we go then.”
Chapter Twenty
“You hop in the shower while I call our order in. I’ll go when you’re done.”
Mia twisted her hands nervously. Much as she was anxious to wash the last few days away, she’d remembered she had nothing to wear.
“Mia?”
“I …” She cleared her throat. “I don’t have anything clean to wear. I have no idea what happened to my clothing when Dylan grabbed me.”
“Ah. Yeah, I see your dilemma. I’ll scrounge through my things to find you something to wear. Go on in.” He gave her a light tap on the ass.
She clapped a hand over her mouth as a yelp at the unexpectedness of it slipped out.
“Fine.”
It took her a minute to find the right balance between hot and cold water, but stepping under the cascade, Mia didn’t even attempt to hold back the groan of pure pleasure that came over her. Mindful that Finn still needed to shower before their food arrived, she got on with the business of washing her hair and body, rushing to get done.
With a towel over her head, rubbing her hair, Mia called for Finn to go ahead. No reply. Lowering the towel, she took in the empty bedroom. “Finn?”
Where the hell had the man disappeared to? Seconds ticked by. Crept into minutes. All the while she stood rooted to the spot, wondering where he’d gone. When five minutes had crawled by, Mia started to panic. Why had he left? Why hadn’t he told her he was going out? Tears flooded her eyes. She started hyperventilating.
With everything that had happened over the past weeks – months? She lost track. Everything began to blur together, and she collapsed to the floor, consumed by an onslaught of emotion. Wrapping her arms around her drawn up knees, she sobbed out her misery, fear, feelings of loss and abandonment. And that’s exactly where Finn found her upon his return a few minutes later.
Going to his knees beside her, he ran a hand down her damp, tangled hair. “Mia, Sugar, what’s going on?”
Not having heard him come in, she jerked in fright. She screamed, clamping a hand to her racing heart.
Without conscious thought, she scuttled away. “No, please. I can’t take anymore. Just kill me now.”
“Mia! It’s Finn. You’re safe now.”
She heard the words but couldn’t seem to comprehend what he was saying.
“Mia, focus on my voice. You’re at the hotel. You’re safe,” he repeated.
Her eyes snapped to his. Scanned his face. Returned to his gaze. Slowly, the fog in her brain began to recede.
“That’s it, Sugar. Come on back. Keep listening to my voice. I’m going to take your hand in mine, okay?” He gently took her palm in his. Placed it on his chest. “Let’s get that breathing under control, shall we? Match your breathing to mine. Feel that? Nice slow breaths.” He inhaled slowly, deeply. Exhaled the same way. “That’s it. In … and out.”
Her breathing slowed, and Mia became more aware of her surroundings. She saw the concern in his eyes. “Finn …”
“There she is.”
She launched herself into his arms and heard his groan of pain as her body collided with his. “Shit. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she said into his neck, not loosening her grip. Tears beginning to track down her face again.
“It’s all good. You just hang on as tight as you need. I’ve got you,” he soothed, winding her hair tenderly around his hand.
