looked at the hotels on the east side of the city then, put Briana on hold for a few minutes, called ahead and reserved a room with two beds. When he got there, he’d insist on them sleeping for a few hours before they decided where to go next.
“I’ve sent you a map pin of the place we’ll meet. You should be there in twenty minutes. I’ll be there about the same time, give or take a few minutes. Wait for me there. Stay in your car until I arrive. I’m in a black four-wheel-drive pickup.”
“I’m in a small, silver four-door Nissan,” she said. “I’m looking forward to meeting you in person.”
“Me, too.” He said and meant it. “None of the awkward stranger greetings.”
“That’s right,” she said. “We’re practically old friends.”
“That’s right,” he said.
“Old friends meeting at a hotel.” She laughed. “That’s not awkward at all. If I wasn’t so tired, I might think it strange and a little weird.”
“But not awkward,” he finished.
“Right,” she said. “I’m pulling off the interstate now.”
“Me, too.” Rafe exited the interstate. He could see the hotel sign clearly. His pulse quickened. After being on the phone for hours with Briana, he’d finally get to meet her. No, he didn’t feel awkward. Yes, he was excited.
Chapter 3
Briana parked beneath the overhang at the entrance to the hotel and waited inside her car. Headlights flashed behind her. When she glanced in the rearview mirror, her heart fluttered. The big shiny grill of a pickup came to a stop behind her. A door opened, and a tall, muscular man wearing jeans and a black T-shirt climbed out.
All the time she’d spent on the phone with Rafe Donovan, she’d had an image in her mind of what he’d look like.
Her heart beat faster as he stepped into the light and walked up to the driver’s side window.
Rafe Donovan was all she’d imagined and so very much more. Yes, he was tall, broad-shouldered and built like a brick wall. In addition, the man was hot enough to melt her bones.
If she hadn’t been so distraught by all that had happened, she would have groaned at her own appearance, meeting the man for the first time in person. But her looks meant nothing in light of having lost her best friend.
Briana was just glad Rafe was there. Already, she felt better and more secure. She unlocked her door.
He opened it and held out his hand. “Briana?” he asked.
She nodded and laid her hand on his. “You don’t even know how glad I am to finally see you.”
He helped her out of the vehicle.
Her legs shook, and she would have fallen, but he wrapped his arm around her middle.
“I know you’ve been through a lot, but let’s get inside and into a room before we relax,” he said with a crooked smile.
She nodded, holding back ready tears. She swallowed hard on the lump blocking her throat and let him guide her into the building to the front desk.
“I have a reservation for Rafe Donovan,” he said.
The clerk had him sign a card, handed him a key and pointed to the elevator. “Check out is at ten, but since you two are arriving so late, I’ll make a note to hold the cleaning until one.”
“Thank you,” Rafe said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes to move the vehicles.”
With his arm around her, Rafe led her to the elevator and up to the third floor.
She walked in a daze, leaning into his solid form, glad for his strength and presence. She wasn’t alone.
Once they were inside the room, he nodded toward the two beds. “I know we just met, but I can’t keep an eye on you if you’re in a different room. I promise to keep my hands to myself.”
She stared at the two beds then turned her gaze to him. “Thank you. I’m just glad you’re here.” She bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. She could feel the waterworks welling in her eyes. The dam that had held back the tears was crumbling quickly.
“Come here,” he said, opening his arms.
Briana fell into him and buried her face against his chest. The emotions she’d kept at bay throughout the long drive refused to be contained a moment longer. Tears streamed down her face and soaked his dark T-shirt. “I’m sorry. I just can’t stop.”
“It’s okay. You’ve been through a lot.”
For a long time, she stood in his arms, letting the tears fall.
Rafe held her throughout, smoothing a hand