Page 37 of Second Chances
Craving the caffeine, she took a sip, not realizing how freshly made it must have been and immediately burned her tongue, spitting the liquid back into the cup with a pained groan. She heard a small chuckle from the bathroom and turned to see Darcy watching her from the doorway.
“Not funny,” she groaned, unable to stop the smile that spread over her face, too.
“Don’t worry, I did the same thing. Eat something first and then go for the coffee; that seemed to do the trick for me.”
Following his suggestion, Beth pulled the tray table over her lap, eagerly examining her breakfast options this morning. Deciding to tackle the eggs first, she took a mouthful of scrambled eggs, savoring their fluffy texture.
Damn, he’s a good cook.
“How did you sleep?” Darcy asked.
He must have just taken a shower not that long ago because he was wearing a bathrobe and his hair still looked damp.
“Good,” she replied, swallowing her giant bite of food before continuing, “I didn’t even remember you bringing me in here last night; I was so exhausted and out of it.”
“Yeah, you were,” he chuckled, “I guess I might have had something to do with that though.”
His eyes flashed with heat and a devilish spark of pride. She responded by rolling her eyes and taking another bite of her food; his head was already big enough, she didn’t need to encourage him. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him take a lazy seat in the armchair in the corner of the room, his robe separating, giving her a dangerously tantalizing view of his nakedness underneath.Damn him.She didn’t want to acknowledge the obvious move on his part, but she couldn’t stop her physical reaction, and Darcy’s grin widened further as he saw a blush steal over her cheeks.
“So, do you think she will try to contact you again?” Beth asked.
That should tone down your spirits a bit there, Mister.
She was right; even though he made no move to adjust the robe, his grin disappeared as his face became shadowed and serious.
“I hope not, but honestly, if she is back here for me, she won’t stop,” he admitted.
At least he’s able to talk this through much more calmly this morning.
“What are you going to do?” Beth asked as she put some strawberry jam on her toast, still hungry after finishing the full plate of eggs.
“I’ve already tightened security here at the hotel and at my office,” his lips thinned in annoyance over the measures he was being forced to take, “but, I can handle her. It’s you that I’m concerned about.”
“Darcy, I told you, I can handle myself. It’s really ok.” Although, his concern was touching, she could and would deal with this woman if necessary.
She could take care of herself.
“I know. I just don’t want her even fucking near you.” His anger was starting to seep into his words. “You have no idea, Beth. She’s fucking manipulative and deceitful and once her mind is intent on something, she will stop at nothing to have it. I just can’t stand the thought that that something is destroying you. I won’t risk it,” he finished harshly.
“Ok,” Beth acquiesced, “whatever you think is best. I’m not going to change my life though, or hide myself away between here and my office.”
Darcy’s lips thinned at her defiance.
“I’m going to have some of my guys follow you, discreetly of course, so you can continue to do whatever you want. I just need to know that someone is making sure you are safe. Please,” he concluded with a sigh.
The heart wrenching concern written on his face was clear, and Beth’s heart leapt at his show of emotion. Giving him a small nod, she watched him visibly relax when he realized that she wasn’t going to fight him on this.
At least for right now; they could cross that bridge when they came to it.
What Beth really wished was that he would just tell her who this woman was, even show her a photo, so that she knew who to look out for. But she knew how deeply he tried to bury that part of his life and how strongly he tried to keep her and their relationship separate from it.
“I don’t want you to be afraid that she would do anything violent; that’s not her style,” Darcy continued, “but I need this, otherwise I won’t be able to focus unless I know that you are safe from her reach.”
“It’s ok. I understand. What about just getting a restraining order?” Beth suggested.Seems like the simplest way to keep her away…
Darcy ran his hand through his tousled hair. “I wish I could. It’s a little more complicated than that, unfortunately. Let’s just say that other people would be harmed if I went that route.”
Great. More secrets.
