“I don’t think so,” a deep voice says, startling me. “I definitely heard the lady say no.”
My eyes fly up to the source of my rescue—the guy from the elevator. His large hand is holding the guy by his shoulder, and I can see by the uncomfortable way the man is holding himself that he’s applying some pressure.
“I can assure you, the lady is not staying in room 144, and as of now, you will not be staying in this hotel.” His tone is professional but very assertive.
“B-B-But I was just asking to…” the guy stutters and visibly shrinks.
“You have thirty minutes to pack and leave. I will not have my guests harassed in any way. You are not welcome here. Now, please leave.”
He releases the man’s shoulder, draws his shoulders back slightly which instantly makes him look taller and more menacing, then gives him a sinister smile which confirms he means business. His fists are balled at his sides and his eyes are hard; he hasn’t broken his stare at the sleazy guy or even looked in my direction. Thankfully, the guy seems resigned to his fate and leaves, muttering expletives under his breath but not putting up any more of a protest.
My rescuer follows the sleazeball with his fixed gaze until he is satisfied that he has exited the club. He turns to me, and his eyes soften when he presses a hand to my upper arm.
“Miss Jamesson.” He dips his head as he speaks.
“Yes.” My voice comes out quiet and childlike.
“Are you okay?”
I nod my answer, unable to form words at this moment.
“I sincerely am very sorry. It’s not something that happens frequently here, I can assure you.”
“It’s fine. I…uh…I have to go.” I turn my shoulder as if to move past him, and he extends his arm to block my path but doesn’t touch me again.
“Please, Miss Jamesson, I would like to offer you a different room for your peace of mind. You’re booked in for a week with us, is that correct?”
“I, uh…” Lottie hadn’t told me how long she’d booked for me, but all I want to do now is leave and stay somewhere else. But what would that achieve? Besides, oddly, I actually do feel safe at this very minute.
“Then please allow me to change your room in way of an apology.” There’s something so sincere about his offer, and I realize that sincerity has been sorely lacking in my life the last few years.
He holds out his upturned hand, a simple gesture and one that feels so intimate. Maybe it’s the alcohol running through my veins, or maybe it’s the fact that the sleazy guy reminded me how vulnerable I really am. Lottie wouldn’t have told me to come here if she didn’t think I’d be safe, and I’d trust her with my life. So I place my small hand in his. He gently curls his fingers around mine, squeezing reassuringly as he leads me through the sea of people and out of the club.
When we enter the hotel foyer, he gently releases my hand and places his large palm in the small of my back. He stops in themiddle of the foyer and shrugs off his suit jacket, I turn toward him, confused as to why he’s stopped.
“You’re cold.” It’s a statement, not a question, and he’s frowning, as if he really is concerned that I might be cold. “Here…” He places the jacket around my shoulders and comes to stand in front of me, buttoning it twice like a parent doing so for their child. He’s caring for me. I steal a glance at him as he fastens the buttons; he has flawless, olive skin and full lips. When my eyes meet his, my breath hitches. His eyes are deep chocolate-brown but have gold flecks that glint in the light. He is the epitome of handsome.
His gaze lingers then travels to the broken and bruised skin on my cheek and his brows crease even further. He opens his mouth to speak but closes it quickly again and shakes his head ever so slightly.
“Come.”
He gestures with his head toward the front desk and once again holds out his hand for me to take. A giggle escapes me, and I wiggle my hands out from underneath the jacket and wave them at him. Of course, I can’t take his hand as he’s fastened me securely into his clothing. A genuine smile appears from him and a deep chuckle follows.
He places his hand gently between my shoulder blades and walks across the beautiful marble floor, stopping at the main desk.
“Wait here, okay? I’ll just be a minute.”
I nod as he moves around the side of the large desk and lets himself into the office behind. I look around and observe the people coming and going. I must look ridiculous standing here in an oversized suit jacket buttoned up so I can’t move my arms.
It dawns on me that I know nothing about this man. He obviously works here…a manager maybe? I’ll ask Lottie. Her boyfriend will know who he is. What I do know is that myjudgement is shot to pieces. I don’t know his name, he’s a total stranger, but I let him hold my hand? Maybe I’m past caring what happens to me. Maybe the worst has already been done, so nothing else could be as bad as that? My thoughts start running deeper, bitterness taking over and consuming anything good that I might have felt just moments ago. Because where there is good, there has to be bad, right?
He appears just minutes later and holds his hand up, showing me the key card to my new room. His smile is as wide as the ocean and it’s hard not to smile back. “Let’s get you settled,” he says, leading the way to the elevator.
“Do you do this for all the girls that get hit on in your hotel?”
He stops walking and his jaw drops open a little. “What do you mean by that?”
It was a stupid question and I don’t even know why I blurted it out. If I had been a little more assertive, he wouldn’t have felt like he had to come to my rescue. Now I feel I’ve been ungrateful, and it frustrates me that I don’t have the ability to see the good in people anymore.
