The Healing Touch - Apryl Baker Page 0,45

no getting around it. The man needed to stop messing with her.

Dimitri watched her from beneath his lashes. She was clearly trying to suss out his intentions. Hell, he still had some reservations about this, and he needed to explain himself, but the thought of all those models coming anywhere near her sent him into caveman mode. He couldn’t help it. She’d thrown him when she’d come out, the makeup only enhancing her natural beauty. He’d wanted to lock her in the bathroom and demand she stay there the entire weekend if it meant keeping men away from her.

And there would be men. She was gorgeous, even if she didn’t realize it.

“You ready?”

He laughed at the nervous quirk in her voice. At least she was as nervous as he was.

“Yeah, babe. Let’s get this show on the road.” He waited for her to get her purse then snatched her around the waist when she tried to walk by. She wiggled, but he only held her tighter. “Stop fidgeting, Becca. I need help walking.” Lies, but if it kept her by his side, it was a white lie he could be forgiven for.

As expected, she immediately shifted into concerned friend mode and let him lean on her. “How are your legs? You left before you did any exercises.”

“I did them in the park. They weren’t hard to manage. It was just the massage I needed help with.” He steered them in the elevator and hit the button for the ground floor.

“Somehow, I think you had an ulterior motive there.”

He laughed outright at the snarky reply. “Who, me?”

“Yes, you!” She jabbed him in the ribs, which only caused him to laugh more.

This was what she loved, this easy banter they had even when they were upset with each other. This was the laidback man she’d fallen in love with.

The elevator door opened, and they walked toward the front door of the hotel. Mike, the guy from last night, was waiting with their keys at his little desk. He smiled at her, and she returned it shyly. Dimitri growled, and Mike quirked a brow. Yeah, she wasn’t the only one questioning all this possessiveness he’d found.

“Who the fuck are you?”

Becca’s head snapped around at the sound of that voice. She knew it…Christy, Chastity, Charlotte. Something that started with a C. The bleach blonde stood about a foot away, her skin-tight dress showing off all her attributes, which were abundant. Becca looked down at her own t-shirt and capris. She felt so out of place next to this woman. This was the kind of woman Dimitri dated—sophisticated. Becca was anything but sophisticated.

“Charlene?”

Dimitri sounded as confused as she was.

“Dimitri, darling, I was just coming to your room.”

“Why the fuck would you do that?” Dimitri’s eyes flashed, his anger starting to rise. Becca placed a hand over his where it rested on her hip, trying to stop him from causing a scene.

“Why? Because I missed you, honey bear.” She pursed her very red lips in a pout. “Didn’t you miss me?”

“No.” He couldn’t believe she’d shown up here, acting like they were still a couple. “We broke up, Charlene. A week ago. You shouldn’t be here.”

“That little argument we had?” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “That was nothing we can’t get past. I thought we could go to your signing in the morning then spend the rest of the weekend together.” Her eyes flicked to Becca.

“Mr. Kincaid, sir, is there a problem?” Mike came over, concerned.

Dimitri wanted to shout at the very dense woman, but he could feel Becca’s entire body tightening, and he was afraid he’d cause another panic attack, so he held his anger in check. “Yes, there is. This woman shouldn’t be here. She showed up without warning, and she’s not welcome. Please make sure she doesn’t bother us again.”

“But, darling, you don’t mean that.” Her pout became even more severe, and she took the three steps to reach them, placing her hand on his chest. “I love you.”

Dimitri let go of Becca long enough to pull Charlene’s hands off him. “I do mean that, Charlene. We’re done. I don’t know how much clearer I can be. You need to leave. Now.”

Her pout morphed into a very angry snarl. “Do you think you can just throw me away, Dimitri Kincaid? And for what? Some two-bit little whore…”

Dimitri wanted to physically shield Becca from the hate spewing from Charlene, but Becca surprised him.

“Two-bit whore?” She cocked her head, thinking. “I don’t know,