We approached a rundown motel. I prayed we’d stroll on past, but instead, Nattie came to a stop at the entrance.
“Well, here we are,” she said.
She wasn’t making a move to take me to her room. I didn’t blame her for that. If she was running from someone, she wasn’t going to take a chance letting anyone know where she was. Taking me to the motel she was staying at was a big leap of faith on her behalf, and I was determined to make sure she knew she could trust me.
But I didn’t like the look of this grimy place. She deserved so much better. I had to say something. I had to do something to keep her safe.
In the little time we’d spent together, we’d had an instant connection. At least, on my side, we had. If I let her walk into one of these rooms and take the chance of being hurt again, I didn’t deserve her. So, I dug deep, shoving my hands into my pockets as I prepared my statement.
“Umm, this is sort of awkward, but…you know, as a doctor, I’ve picked up on a few things. And, uh, I just…don’t feel comfortable leaving you here, Nattie.”
Her eyebrows pinched. I was fully prepared for her to deny what was happening, though. In fact, I was used to it. Most women denied that they’d been in an abusive relationship for whatever reason. I didn’t need her to admit it to me, I just needed her to trust me to keep her safe.
“The thing is…I’m pretty sure I know what’s going on here. And I don’t think I can leave you here.”
Her jaw tightened, fists forming at her sides. This was why I needed Alex and Ava in my ear. Because nowIsounded like the overbearing jerk who wanted to control her.
“I don’t—” she started, but I waved a hand in the air, stopping her from speaking.
“Look, Nattie, we don’t need to talk about it…not yet. I just…don’t want you to get hurt. I don’t want anything to happen to you. And I know you’re probably thinking that I’m moving way too fast, or maybe that I’m just as bad as the guy you just walked out on, but I’m just trying to keep you safe.”
I waited, the silence growing unbearable as she studied my features.
Her lips parted as though she wanted to say something, but then she pressed them together, her gaze flicking between meand the grimy motel floor. Whatever she was hiding, it weighed heavily on her. “I appreciate that. I do, but–“
“Please don’t say something like you’ll be fine on your own, or even worse, that you don’t need my concern because you have it whether you want it or need it.”
I took a step closer, not meeting her gaze as I sorted through what to say next. “I just…feel this connection between us, and yes, that’s probably an ulterior motive here because I’d really like to explore that, but also, I just want you to be okay.”
Her features softened a little, a slight smile playing on her lips. “I feel it too.”
Her fingers found mine, intertwining with them and sending my heart spiraling out of control. None of the women I’d been interested in recently had returned my feelings. It felt wild and wildly satisfying that this woman did.
And it made my protective instincts surge even more.
“Really?” I asked, my voice a little breathy from the excitement.
She nodded. “Yes, but…I’m afraid right now things are a little–“
“I get it,” I interrupted. “I do. Like I said, as a doctor, I’ve seen plenty of women in this situation. I know it’s hard to trust people after you’ve walked out of an abusive relationship, but you can trust me. I want to keep you safe.”
Her brows knitted for a moment before she repeated my words softly. “Abusive relationship.”
I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, offering her a consoling smile. She glanced down at our interlaced hands before she bobbed her head. “Yes, right. That is my situation.”
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” I answered, my fingers squeezing hers gently.
“Well, thank you. I’m safe here, though.”
“You’re not. Nattie, this place is awful. It’s in a bad part of town. I’m pretty sure I saw a drug deal on our walk here. Plus, there’s probably bed bugs.”
“Unfortunately, this is all I can manage at the moment.”
“Stay with me…us. Stay at Alex and Ava’s.”
Her features turned incredulous before she started to slowly shake her head. “No, I couldn’t do that.”
“Yes, you could. It’s way better than here. The beds are nice, no bugs, better location, Alex has a killer security system. No one could get to you there. Your ex–even if he tracked you down–he’d never be able to get past Alex’s security. It’s win-win.”
