Page 37 of Tinsel Time Treasure

“Do you have a key?”

“No,” he lied. “I’ll have to wait for him to get back.”

“What about work? Is that safe?”

“Maybe. My boss knows I told this nut job that I would have him trespassed by the police, so he would definitely call if anything happened there. Since my boss knows, and our receptionist was a witness, we could maybe make a case for criminal trespass. But… maybe I’ll take a few days off anyway.”

I hated asking the questions; that he was even in that situation. It was all according to script, but it was evident how much it weighed on him.

I wanted to pull him into my arms and fight any alpha who dared threaten his security.

“Stay with me for a few days,” I offered. “At least until your friend comes back into town.”

Justin shook his head, staring into a dresser drawer. “I don’t know how he would react, and I don’t want you involved any more than you already are.”

“Are you sure?”

He let out a long breath. “It’s for the best.”

“Promise you’ll let me know if you change your mind?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Ok.”

He closed one drawer and opened another. He snagged out a couple things and carried it all to the bed.

“I guess just a backpack will work for now,” he muttered, looking over his selections.

“What else do you need?” I asked. “Phone charger? Laptop? Toiletries?”

“Toiletries and a charger,” he sighed. “I use a desktop.”

“Ok. Want me to grab anything from the bathroom?”

“No. I’ll get it.”

“Ok.”

Justin was silent as he gathered a few more things, then disappeared into the bathroom. He reappeared a couple minutes later and shoved a toiletry bag into his backpack, then zipped it up.

“I’m ready,” he whispered.

I stood, walked over, and without thinking pulled him against my chest.

Justin stiffened for a second, then relaxed against me.

“You’re going to be ok,” I stated.

He nodded, but didn’t say anything.

I held him for several seconds before he stepped back with a soft sigh.

“Do you want to have dinner with us before going to the hotel?” I asked as we stepped back into the hall.

“No,” Justin murmured. “I’ll get room service.”

“Ok.”