you,” she whispered. “You’re very handsome as well.”
He moved closer. “You will sleep here tonight.”
Despite the sudden throbbing tension, she smiled at his dictatorial tone. “I’m going home, Gaelen.”
He shook his head. “You shouldn’t be alone. You have a head injury.”
She grinned. “The doctor said I was only in danger the first night. And you’ve been a wonderful babysitter.”
“I can…”
“I need to go home, Gaelen. I need to shower and change clothes. I have to…”
He sighed, pulling her close. “I’m not going to kiss you, Savannah,” he told her, even as his arms tightened around her. “If I start, I doubt that I’ll be able to stop.”
She smiled into his chest, sensing the truth in his words. She’d never met a more tempting man in her life! “All the more reason why I should go home.”
He pulled back, looking down at her. “Fine. But…”
She laid a hand on his chest, stopping his words. “No buts, Gaelen. We should…I need to…” she paused, looking up into his eyes. Suddenly, she felt an almost violent urge to kiss him. Instead, she pulled back, startled by the need inside of her. “I’ll let myself out,” she said and stepped backwards.
“I’ll drive you home,” he decided.
Savannah immediately shook her head. “No, that’s okay. It’s not late and I can get home on my own.”
“Absolutely not!” he announced, his tone warning her not to argue anymore. “I’ll drive you and ensure that you arrive at your door safely.”
She smiled, somehow charmed by his gentlemanly dictate. “You’re kinda pushy, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Get used to it,” he warned her, then took her hand and led her out of the suite. A servant waited by the doorway with her purse and a small bag with her medicines in it.
“Thank you,” she said, amazed by his staff’s efficiency. And a bit weirded out by it. Gaelen hadn’t said anything to anyone about her leaving, and yet, they’d somehow anticipated her departure. Ignoring that, since she’d never be here again, she looked up at him. “Please, let me know how much I owe you for the meds and the emergency room visit. I don’t want you to pay for my medical issues.”
He shook his head, putting a hand to the small of her back. “You’re not paying for anything, Savannah. I’ve already told you this. The guy who attacked you has already been contacted by my lawyers.”
“On a Saturday?” she gasped. “That’s going to be horrendously expensive!”
He snickered, shaking his head. “You have no idea.”
She frowned, looking up at him as he pressed the button on the elevator. “Yes but…what if the guy doesn’t pay? I can’t afford a lawyer that charges extra on the weekend.”
Gaelen turned to look at her, shifting so she was pinned against the wall of the elevator. “You’re going to trust me, Savannah. I know that you don’t know me well enough yet, but still, you’re going to have to trust me on this.”
“Yes but…”
He shook his head. “Do you really think that this is the first time that he’s pushed a woman around? A man doesn’t go from being a good man who respects women to a man who slams a woman against the wall, attempting rape, Savannah.” He paused, letting those words sink in. “He tried to rape you. He’s probably done so to other women, although maybe with a few variables on the original theme. He’s a bully and a rapist. If he hasn’t raped a girlfriend or a date before, then I’ll back off. But right now, my lawyer’s investigators are tearing into his past. First though, he’s going to pay dearly for what he did to you. My primary goal is to have every cent of your medical bills paid for by him. The emergency room visit, your meds, and a follow up visit with another doctor. Then he’s going to pay for your lost wages since you can’t work today or tomorrow.” His eyes turned hard. “You are not working tomorrow, Savannah!” he told her sternly. “You’re going to relax and read. Understood?”
She wanted to smile up at him, thinking he was charming even in his dictatorial way. “Yes, Gaelen. I understand.”
“Good,” he said with a firm nod. “After he pays for all of your bills, then you’re suing him for damages, both current as well as punitive. My lawyers already know his annual salary at his investment firm, his bonus amounts for the past five years, as well as his bank balance and the value of his condominium.