Angel joined me on the patio, watching the waves by my side. I wanted to slip my hand in his. Better yet, I wanted him to wrap his arms around me and hold me while we stood there. Crazy urges. I tamped them down and gripped the railing to keep my hands busy.
"Bones and I shouldn't be gone long, and then we'll take you down to walk the beach. You get hungry or anything, there's a menu by the phone. The room service here is supposed to be pretty good."
"You've never stayed here before?" I asked.
"No. My family usually stays in Coronado. I know the guy who owns this place, though. He's a stand-up guy."
Strange thing to say. Before I could think too much about it, Angel leaned forward and tucked a hair behind my ear. The contact stole my breath away. Terrified he'd do more... longing for him to do more... I stared up at him.
"You have no fuckin' clue how gorgeous you are," he said. Then he kissed my forehead, squeezing my shoulders, and left.
I released the breath I'd been holding and collapsed against the railing. Once I finally got my breathing and heart rate under control, I investigated my suite. The bed was enormous. It had to be at least a king. Maybe a California king? Did they put those in hotels? I don't know, but I kicked off my boots and plopped down on it. Definitely the most comfortable thing I'd ever slept on.
Dragging myself from the bed, I checked out the small kitchenette, complete with a minibar and headed for the bathroom. A deep jetted tub sat in the middle of the room, calling to me. I started the water and stripped off my clothes, before searching for something smelly to put in it. A travel sized bottle of bubble bath was on the counter, so I dumped it in before sliding in myself. Heaven. It was the best thing ever. Closing my eyes, I laid back and let it relax my muscles.
About five minutes into my relaxing bath, someone knocked on the door. The guys couldn't possibly be back yet, so I ignored it and sank deeper into the tub. I stayed in until my fingers were pruney, then slipped on the luxurious complimentary bathrobe and went to look through the peephole.
The hall was empty, so I opened the door. A strong floral fragrance hit me, and I sneezed. A dozen roses were in a vase at my feet. I sneezed again and shut the door. Eyes watering, I found my phone and sent Angel a text, thanking him for his thoughtfulness, and explaining why I couldn't bring them in.
No response. Figuring he must be busy with his business meeting, I grabbed the paperback I was currently reading and stretched out across the king bed. Now this was living.
A few minutes later, my phone rang. Angel. Just seeing his phone number flash across the screen made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Smiling, I answered.
"You okay?" he asked, sounding frantic.
Instantly on alert, I sat up. Why wouldn't I be okay? "Yeah. I'm fine. Just reading. Why?"
He took a deep breath. "We're on our way back. Stay in the room, and we'll see you soon."
He hadn't answered my questions. "Okay. See you."
We hung up and I felt creeped out. I checked the door and threw the deadbolt lock, made sure the patio door was locked, and then went back to my book.
Fifteen minutes later, Angel and Bones were beating on my door and calling my name. I checked the peephole, confirmed it was them, and then swung open the door.
Bones averted his eyes, and Angel's gaze drifted down my front. I'd forgotten that I was still wearing nothing but a robe. Tightening the belt as another wave of floral fragrance hit me, I sneezed and pointed at the offending flowers.
"Can you please move those? They're beautiful." Another sneeze. "And thank you for them." Sneeze. "But I'm allergic."
He was breathing heavily, like he'd sprinted from the parking garage. He looked from me to the flowers and his features tightened.
"Bones?" Angel asked.
"On it." Bones picked up the flowers and headed down the hall.
Not wanting to offend Angel, especially when he'd been so sweet, I stepped back into my room and waved for him to follow. He did, and I closed the door.
"Sorry. They really are pretty. I love them, I just can't--" Another sneeze.
"No." Angel's brow furrowed. "It's not that. It's... It's fine. Sorry. I didn't know. You hungry? Wanna get out of here and go get something to eat?"
Now that he mentioned it, I was starving. I nodded. "I'll get dressed."
He headed out the door while I ripped through my suitcase, searching for something to wear. I paired a cute navy peasant dress with brown cowboy boots, brushed out my hair, freshened up my makeup, grabbed my purse and phone, and headed next door.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Angel
