The Healing Touch - Apryl Baker Page 0,33

was still pissed at him over this morning, but she wasn’t so mad she wanted to castrate him anymore.

She started to tell him she wanted some alone time, but he stopped her before she uttered the first word. “This can wait. We’re both hungry, and we need to talk. Do you want to shower before we go?”

She really should, but she knew she’d be dirty later because of all the boxes and sitting on the floor. Two showers in one day was not only bad for the skin, it would wreak havoc on her very unruly hair. Since he wasn’t going to go and leave her alone, she stood. There was no arguing with his mule-headed tendencies once he decided on something. It was either give in and eat or stand here arguing with him for next hour…and she’d still lose.

“Fine. Let me change and brush my teeth, then we’ll go.”

She left him plundering through some of the bags. They contained all the books and swag, but he still had to sign the books. She’d only gotten through about twenty books and had a lot to go. It was going to be a long afternoon. They’d both slept until noon, so she was fairly certain they weren’t going to get the pre-orders done before heading over to the event venue. When she got back, she’d finish putting them together and box everything back up.

Once she was done brushing her teeth, she pulled on jean capris and her favorite red Coca-Cola t-shirt. Her hair got a quick brush and its usual ponytail. She kept trying to busy her mind with mundane things and her list of what needed to get done so she wouldn’t think about earlier.

About that kiss.

The kiss she’d wholeheartedly returned.

Her cheeks flamed, and she splashed her face with water, trying to lessen the burn. Dimitri was not going to let her hide from the fact she’d kissed him back and then some.

It was one of the reasons she’d suggested he go out and meet up with the other authors. She needed time to herself, to think and find a way to ignore him. How had he gone from agreeing intimacy between them was a bad idea to openly trying to seduce her? Just a kiss, my ass, she thought darkly. He’d meant to make her all hot and bothered thinking about that kiss all day. Definitely getting her own room today. There would be no more of last night or this morning.

She only had to get through today and tomorrow. Then they could go home, and there wasn’t another event for two weeks. She could escape back to the safe haven of her apartment and away from the temptation of Dimitri. She’d forgotten how much he affected her. How the hell had she been better at hiding it in high school?

Because he’d gotten even sexier with age, that was how.

He banged on the door. “Time’s wasting, sweetheart.”

She shot the door the evilest glare she could summon. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“I think my belly actually hit my backbone, Becca. I’m blaming you if I start wasting away!”

“I told you to go eat with your friends!”

“But they’re not my friends, babe. You’re my friend and the only person I want to eat with. Now, move your ass!”

Becca burst out laughing. She couldn’t help it. The man was beyond silly. Drying her face, she gave herself a once-over. Definitely not his type. Hopefully, he’d forget this morning and they could enjoy an afternoon like normal friends.

He was frowning at his phone when she strolled out. He squinted, which meant he was trying to figure something out. “What are you frowning about?”

“Charlene.”

“The crazy ex? I blocked her number.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t block her on my Facebook page. It’s like she threw up all over it.”

“Your personal page or your author page?” The woman was seriously starting to piss her off. She didn’t know when to quit.

“All of them, even my reader’s group.” He looked up, clearly frustrated. “She’s on there telling everyone we’re together and she can’t wait to see me. What the fuck?”

“Let me have your phone.” He handed it over, and she went through and blocked her on all his pages, leaving a note that no one was to pay attention to the crazy stalker lady. Sure to get people talking, but on the plus side, it would help him sell books this weekend. Everyone loved to gossip, especially in the Indie world, authors and readers alike.

“There, she’s