Billionaire Bear Shifters A Paranormal Romance Complete Series Boxset - Brittany White Page 0,52

for a discount on the cheapest room and even that would be brutal on the pocketbook. But a free suite was something else. She almost wondered if he was trying to say that she should have visited a long time ago.

“You sounded a little stressed out,” Eric said, casting her a wary look. “Thought maybe you could use some R and R.”

“I sounded stressed out in my texts?” Lydia said.

Eric stopped cold in the middle of the hallway as guests bustled around them, small children shrieking as they were scolded by their parents. Outside the snow fell in flurries.

“Yeah,” Eric said. “Don’t forget how well I know you, Liddy. I can totally sense stress in your texts.”

“Right.” She nodded, and shifted from foot to foot, uncomfortable under his penetrating gaze.

Those eyes had become bluer somehow. She was sure of it.

“Well, it’s really sweet of you,” she said, still feeling oddly stiff. “I really didn’t come for that. I mean I didn’t come just for a free room. Actually, I…” She swallowed her words, her cheeks burning. She’d been about to tell him that she’d had to quit her much needed job just to make the visit. But it all felt so pathetic.

“You what?” Eric said. He took a step closer and her heart thudded uncomfortably.

“Nothing,” Lydia said quickly. “I’m just, I mean I came to visit you. But I didn’t come for, you know… amenities.”

Eric didn’t look at her. His expression was dark and he glowered as he slipped the key card into its slot and let Lydia in. She wondered if she had already fucked up. Did he not believe her? Did he really think she’d come to visit after five long years away just to stay in a fancy hotel room?

“Whoa.” She was distracted from her worry momentarily as he let her in, and she took a look around.

The room was ostentatiously luxurious. The design was tastefully classical with modern touches. Everything looked new and expensive, a plush taupe couch decorated with tapestry throw pillows, plush rugs, oil paintings on the walls, a huge flatscreen…

Eric was making himself busy showing her the cable remote and the dimmer switch for the lights before leading her into the massive master bedroom and bathroom with its double jacuzzi and sauna and fancy soaps and robes. It was all a bit overwhelming, especially considering she’d been staying in a tiny rented room with roaches for friends for the last couple of years.

“Eric...this is amazing.” She felt completely out of place, but on the other hand, there was a double jacuzzi. She was hardly going to turn it down.

“I’m glad it’s satisfactory.”

She whipped around to face him. His tone sounded so cold, but just then he cracked a smile, wryly shaking his head.

“That’s my concierge voice,” Eric said with a snort. “It’s just… This feels weird. Doesn’t this feel weird?”

“Yes,” Lydia whispered. She took a step closer. She had a strong urge to throw her arms around him and not for any romantic reason.

She just missed her old friend.

“I don’t want it to feel weird,” Eric said. “Look… I don’t really know why you came here. But I hope you want to talk. Really talk. I…”

“Yeah?”

That lump in her throat was back. Lydia clasped her hands together and valiantly attempted to keep it down.

“I’ve missed you,” Eric said. “I’ve missed you a lot. And I’m glad you’re here.”

“I’m glad I’m here too,” Lydia whispered.

“Jesus, Liddy.” Eric lunged and abruptly there were strong arms wrapped around Lydia and she sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder, not caring if her hair was too lank or her clothes were too threadbare as he gave her the all encompassing hug that was as familiar to her as her own pair of arms. “It’s really good to see you.”

Lydia felt like she could have stayed there in Eric’s embrace all night, but too soon he was pulling away again and her sensitive bear shifter’s ears heard his phone vibrating in his pocket.

“Oh…” Eric whipped out his phone and a dark expression came over him. “Shit.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing… Nothing, I just have to take care of something.” He clapped a hand to her shoulder and she liked to think he was reluctant to move it away again. “Go ahead and get settled in.” He took a few plastic cards out of his pocket and handed them to her, pressing them into her palm. “This is complimentary use of full spa days downstairs and meals. You don’t pay for