The Healing Touch - Apryl Baker Page 0,21
room for you. There weren’t any more available, and I had a queen, so I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal.”
Not a big deal? He was out of his damn mind.
“Dimitri, I cannot share your hotel room with you.” Nope, nope, nope.
“Why not? It’s not like I’m asking you to share a bed. You’ll have your own.”
The GPS interrupted her by announcing they’d arrived at their destination—The French Quarter Inn. She stared as she turned into the hotel drive. It was old, historic, and absolutely beautiful, even in the shadows of the night. She couldn’t wait to see what it looked like early in the morning. If she managed to get up at dawn, she should be able to get out and about before too many people rolled out of bed. That was if she managed to force her feet through the doorway. It had taken Dimitri ten minutes to talk her into getting out of the car at the dealership.
When she put the Jeep into park, she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She could see the valet hurrying over, which meant she’d need to vacate her haven. He wouldn’t give her ten minutes to gather her courage.
Dimitri’s fingers slipped between hers, and she took several deep breaths. “Take as long as you need, sweetheart. He’ll wait.”
A smile tugged at her lips. He knew her too well. Even after only learning about her panic attacks this morning, he was already helping more than he could possibly know.
She did make him wait for five minutes while she sat there clutching Dimitri’s hand and trying to give herself the pep talk of the century. “Get out and move him away from my door, please. I don’t want to be rude.”
“You have to let go of my hand first.” His laughter rolled over her, and she shuddered. He had to have felt it because his laughter died, but she refused to open her eyes. If he realized how much he affected her, she knew all bets would be off. Dimitri would try something. It was in his nature. It wouldn’t mean anything to him, but it would to her. She wasn’t about to let her heart get annihilated. Gathering her courage, she let his fingers slip from hers.
He sat there a full minute before she heard the door open and close. Another minute went by, and then her door opened. “You’re all good, sweetheart. Just turn off the car and give me your hand.”
Always so simple. Just give me your hand. Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel. Not only was she outside her apartment, but she was in a city she didn’t know. A big city where thousands of people roamed. This was a mistake. She knew it like she knew she had to drink at least three cups of coffee to function upon waking.
Dimitri leaned into the car, his lips grazing her ear as he spoke. “It’s okay, Becca. There are no crowds, just you, me, and Mike here.”
“But what about inside?” She hated the whispered fear she couldn’t choke down. Hated it more than anything.
“The lobby looks pretty empty, honey. It’s almost three in the morning.”
Becca let her eyelids flutter open, and she glanced inside the glass doors. It did look empty. All she had to do was get out of the car, make it inside long enough for Dimitri to check them in, and then an elevator ride up. The safety of a closed door was within reach.
“Take my hand, baby. It’ll be okay. I promise.”
His outstretched palm waited, and she laid her hand in it. He squeezed.
“Good girl.” He didn’t give her time to do anything. He unsnapped her seatbelt and pulled her out. She landed against his chest with a thump. He caught her and let her slide slowly down his body. All the air left her lungs, and she gazed up at him. His blue eyes were dark, intense, moody.
“Mike, can you bring our things inside, please?” His eyes never left hers.
“Of course, Mr. Kincaid.”
When Becca was finally able to break the intense stare, she looked over at Mike. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, Mrs. Kincaid.”
“No, not Mrs. Kincaid.” She laughed but couldn’t hide the way it had made her feel when he’d called her that. “I’m just here to keep this one out of trouble.”
That made the valet chuckle. “Good luck with that.”
Truer words had never been spoken.
“Let’s get checked in.” Dimitri’s voice had lost all its teasing, and