The Wedding Pact Box Set - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,275

was the right way to answer that? She didn’t want to be alone, but she was too humiliated to admit it.

But he misinterpreted her hesitation. He nodded and put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay. I don’t mind the extra money.”

She grabbed his arm to stop him as he started toward the front desk. “No. One room is good. We can just get two beds. No need to spend the extra money. Besides,” she added in a rush, “you’ve spent the night in my apartment before. This is no different.” But it was very different and she could see he knew it too.

He studied her face with a seriousness she wasn’t used to from him. “Are you sure? Maybe you just want to be alone. I understand if you do.”

“The last thing I want is to be alone right now.” Her voice broke and she realized that made her sound needy. She’d trained herself years ago not to appear needy. Needy women sent men running to the hills. But this wasn’t any man. This was Noah. Her friend. That’s what friends were for, right?

Sadness filled his eyes, and he pulled her into a hug. “Oh, Lib.”

She was acutely aware that the few people in the lobby and the desk clerk were staring at them like they were a daytime soap. But she just rested her head on his chest for several seconds, amazed by the peace she felt in his arms. Everything seemed so much less hopeless when she was with Noah.

He kissed her forehead, then set her loose. “One room it is.”

Noah approached the front desk and rested his forearm on the counter, ignoring the shocked look on the clerk’s face. “We need a room with two beds.”

If possible, the clerk’s eyes grew even wider. “Uh . . .” He shook his head and tried to regain his composure. “Two beds? For your wedding night?”

“She’s a kicker,” Noah said with a straight face. “She kneed me in the groin only a month ago and now I’m less one testicle.” He leaned his forearm on the counter and glanced around. Ignoring the openly staring couple in the lobby, he lowered his voice to a stage whisper. “I’ll have you know, that was a difficult one to explain to the insurance company.”

The man’s gaze shifted to Libby before swinging back to Noah. He swallowed. “Umm . . . we don’t have any rooms with two beds, sir. Only a room with a king-size bed. Maybe you should go somewhere else.”

Noah stared down at her with an uncertain look in his eyes, but she nodded her approval.

Turning back to the employee, Noah shrugged and said with an air of resignation, “We did marry for better or worse. In sickness and in testicular injuries. I only hope she doesn’t jostle the prosthesis. How quickly can first responders get here?” The clerk still appeared alarmed, but Noah shook his head. “Never mind. We’ll take it.”

The clerk refused to make eye contact as he quickly checked them in and handed Noah the room keys. “You’re on the second floor, sir”—then he tacked on—“and congratulations.” Although he seemed somewhat uncertain that congratulations were indeed in order.

Noah placed his hand on the small of her back and shepherded her toward the elevator. When the elevator doors opened, he kept his hand on her back even after they were inside. She could feel the heat of his touch through her dress. Determined not to let him know how he was affecting her, she fought to keep her breathing slow and even.

Think of something, Libby thought. Think of something to keep your mind off throwing yourself at him. “I made you lose your testicle?”

“What other reason could I give him for not wanting to sleep with my beautiful bride?” His voice was tight, but his hand remained on her back.

That certainly didn’t take her mind off her hormones. Think of something else. “You forgot your bag,” she said.

“I’ll get it once you’re settled in the room.”

She looked up at him in surprise, but he kept his gaze on the elevator doors. Then the doors opened and he was ushering her out of the elevator and leading her down the hall to their room. She couldn’t help noticing how he’d taken charge tonight—she hadn’t seen him this focused once in the five months they’d known each other.

He pushed the door open and waited for her to walk through.

The first thing Libby noticed was the giant king-size bed, which didn’t