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I stalked into the hotel, ignoring the judgemental looks from the valet, the owl-faced receptionist, the bellboy, and many, many guests. I was wearing dungarees so short you could see my underwear if I bent over and one of my feet was still covered with dried magnolia paint. I was a mess.
When we reached his suite I stomped up the stairs away from him. I stalked down the hallway, straight past his bedroom door, and tried the next door, finding an office. I slammed the door behind me. There wasn’t a lock but I didn’t hear his footsteps so I figured he’d wisely chosen to give me some space.
The office was all dark wood and green leather, and there was an L-shaped couch by the window. I flopped down onto it, my head still spinning. Disappointment weighed heavy. Why did he do this? My anger and humiliation sat in my stomach like a dead weight until eventually, sleep came for me and relieved me of the responsibility of dealing with it.
Twenty-Five
“You don’t belong in here, baby.” His voice sailed to me through waves of sleep, coaxing me back to consciousness. His arms were under me, lifting me from the hard, uninviting couch I’d crashed out on.
“Time is it?”
“Midnight or so. We’re going to bed but you need a bath first. I think there’s more paint on you than there was on those walls.” His feet padded lightly on the carpet as he carried me to his bedroom. His cheek pressed against the top of my head and for a moment I felt safe in his arms. Then the memory of what he did came surging back.
“Put me down.” I was still half-asleep but I did my best to wake up. “I don’t want to be in your bed.” He didn’t bother to respond. I pushed feebly at him even though I knew it was a wasted effort.
He kicked open a door, then another, and the sound of running water greeted me. I jumped as he set me down on the cold counter top in his bathroom. It was then I realised he was completely naked, his gloriously smooth skin bare, his cock hard for me even though I looked like hell. The V of his hips, hisstrong arms, his broad chest all called to me, but right now, mad as I was, even his bare flesh couldn’t win me over.
He knelt in front of me to pull off my Converse. I kicked him away weakly but he yanked them off before I could stop him. He threw them away with a disgusted grimace. Next, his hands went to the buckles of my dungarees and he undid them with deft fingers.
“Stop.” I batted his hands away. “I’m still mad at you.” I scowled at him and flipped the straps of my dungarees over my shoulders.
He sighed and stepped backwards, watching me with tired resignation as if I was a teenager throwing a tantrum. He didn’t try to stop me though, just watched me undress myself with ragged, angry motions.
“Can you step out, please? I don’t want you seeing me.” He didn’t budge. Fine. If he wanted to see me naked, let him look. Let him torture himself with the sight of me.
I slid off the counter and let my dungarees drop to the floor. I pulled my top over my head and stood in front of him in my mismatched bra and knickers. His nostrils flared when his eyes landed on the bruise forming on my hip. I must have gotten that when I fell off the ladder.
I stalked past him to the huge tub, undoing my bra on the way and tossing it aside. My underwear followed suit and I heard his harsh intake of breath as I stepped out of them. I pulled the hair tie out and shook my hair free, letting it fall down my back. I ran my hands through my scalp, massaging it back to life.
He uttered the lowest of groans and I decided I’d done enough.
I climbed the three marble steps to the tub and he was there, offering me his hand to help me in. I ignored it. The water felt so good on my sore hip that I groaned and sank backwards into the welcoming warmth.
The water sloshed and rose, teasing the tips of my breasts as Alfie joined me. I kept my eyes closed, shutting him out. He stayed at the other end of the huge tub, maintaining a safe distance.
“Look at me.”
“No. If I look at you, I won’t be able to stay in the tub.” Silence filled the room, the tension growing until I couldn’t stand it any longer. I could feel him watching me, willing me to do as he’d commanded. I sighed and gritted my teeth, then forced myself to look at him.Stay calm, Lola.
“I know that you’re angry that I stepped in tonight, but you were drunk. I was concerned about your safety.”
“I told you I was at Keira’s. This wasn’t about my safety, Alfie. This was about you not getting what you wanted. Just like with the school garden, you couldn’t stand the idea of me having a good time with anyone who isn’t you.”
“Is that really what you think?”
“It’s what you prove to me,” I snapped. He ran a hand over his eyes like he was getting a headache. I started to ask if he was alright before my stubborn side jumped up and clamped my mouth shut. “How did you find me anyway?”
He gave me a blank look, like he was preparing for a new wave of conflict that was about to hit. It only took a second before it hit me, and when it did, I rubbed a hand over my eyes just like Alfie had done. I was getting a headache too.
“Fucking trackers,” I growled. “I want them gone, Alfie.”
“No.”
“Why not?” I don’t know why I bothered asking, I knew it was pointless. Before he could spout more excuses, I sank and submerged my head under the water, drowning him out. I wanted to purge myself of him.
I stayed there until my ears popped. When my lungs felt like they were about to burst, I caved and rushed back to the surface with a gasp.
He was still there. His strong arms rested on the sides of the tub. His cold eyes focused on me, trying to figure out his next move.