I hesitated, guilt pooling in my stomach. What was wrong with me?
No, this was the right thing to do. She was in need of help.
And I was a doctor. Doctors checked on patients all the time, right?
With the dubious justification in the forefront of my mind, I twisted the knob and inched the door open. Inside, the room was dark.
“Nattie?” I whispered, sticking my head into the room.
My heart hammered hard as I stared at the bed. It hadn’t been slept in, and she was nowhere to be found.
I shifted my gaze, finding her bag still where I’d put it. But the sliding door leading to her balcony was slightly open, the sheer curtain blowing in the breeze. But she wasn’t outside enjoying the view. Where was Nattie?
CHAPTER 8
NATASHA
My heart still beat in an irregular rhythm after the kiss I’d shared with Kyle Carter. A soft smile played on my lips as I rummaged through the few belongings I’d brought.
It had been an impulsive thing to do, but in the moment, kissing him had felt right.
He was incredibly kind and sweet. And he had an awkwardness that made him so endearing. I’d never met anyone like him.
In Belvaria, I’d never have been able to be so…free, so spontaneous. I decided to take advantage of it while I could.
The smile faded from my face as I realized I’d have to leave all of this behind. Or would I?
Was there any chance that Kyle Carter would provide the odd assistance I sought? Or would he look at me with disdain after the truth came out?
With a heavy sigh, I dug the pajamas from inside the bag and shuffled to the en-suite bathroom.
I turned on the hot water. As I allowed it to warm, my eyes found my reflection in the mirror. Had my act downstairs been enough to cover my true identity?
Alex Stone’s brilliance could be useful, but it also made me nervous. I had no personal experience with him, but tales of his tech skills preceded him. And his wife seemed equally talented in sniffing out facts.
The last thing I needed was an overzealous tech genius using his skills to unmask my identity.
I needed time. Time to make certain Kyle Carter could be the man I hoped.
Warm water streamed from the tap, and I splashed it on my cheeks before I used the seashell-shaped soap in the dish to wash the grime of the horrible motel I’d left behind away.
At least I had upgraded my surroundings, I thought as I toweled dry. Hopefully, I’d upgraded my life.
My mind shot forward, searching for a viable path for more than just medical expertise from Kyle. My heart felt drawn to him in a way I’d never experienced.
But at every turn, I spotted a roadblock, something to stand in our way. With a shake of my head, I pulled off my top and replaced it with the flannel pajama one. I couldn’t worry about love right now. I had far too many other things to consider.
My phone chimed before I could change my pants, and I raced into the bedroom and grabbed it from the charger I’d connected it to earlier.
I spotted a text message from my sister.Care to explain to me why you are not at the BeachRider in Room 7 and the attendant says you checked out and left?
I sank onto the edge of the bed. So, Nadia was in the States. I frowned at the detail. I’d planned on having a little bit more timeto vet the situation with Kyle, but this new wrinkle put a damper on everything.
After a moment of thinking, I sidestepped the question when I answered.You’re in the States?
Her response told me exactly what sort of mood she was in.What do you think, moya sestra? I don’t appreciate you evading the question. Or you disappearing.
I bit my lower lip as I considered how to answer. My sister, younger by three minutes, did not take kindly to my independent streak. For the most part, we got along. We were loyal to a fault to each other, but we had completely different personalities.
