Page 56 of Hidden Rocco
Mica handed over cash and signed a paper. He gently rocked the baby and she waved for him to walk with her as she lifted the key card.
Her face was pinched and she took Jacob back once they were close enough to the door. “What’s going on?”
She widened her stance like he might argue with her as she said, “There is only one room available.”
The last thing he’d do is impose in such close quarters. “Don’t worry. I can sleep in the car.”
Her face whitened. “No. Absolutely not. We have to share.” Then her cheeks blushed and she glanced at his shoes. “I’m making all the decisions again. This has two separate beds and a crib, but it’s up to you.”
Sleeping in the backseat where half was taken up with a car seat, or sleeping in a bed was an easy choice. He winked at her. “Sounds perfect.”
Her lips pressed together but she looped her arm in his and led him into the elevator to the third and top floor. “Perfect is overrated.”
Rocco wasn’t sure how to react to that heart-felt statement.
He lugged the bags over his shoulder.
He’d get her safe to her room. She opened it wide and motioned for him to follow.
The crib was already set up in the corner of the room, and she gently put Jacob down. As she straightened, she stretched near the bed. “All I want is to sleep right now.”
He stayed near the door and pointed to it. “If you want to be alone with Jacob, I don’t mind sleeping outside.”
She stood taller and stared at him like he'd struck her. “I want you here.”
This wasn’t good. He’d never cause her one ounce of pain, but she made him uncertain what he might do to help. “Are you sure?”
She walked over and stood in front of him, blocking his way in, until she reached out and took his hand. “Yes. I was worried you wanted your own space, away from me.”
“No.” He wished he knew how to get through to her.
Mica had saved his life, in every way. She deserved far better than him.
She deserved… well a life where she was protected, safe and happy. She let him go and said, “Good. I’ll take the bed closer to the bathroom.”
“Whatever one you want.” He ignored how his heart raced as he stepped into the shower to wash off the blood and dirt, the hot water eased his sore muscles.
He didn’t wantto leave the steam, but he finally did and found a pair of clean underwear Mica had packed for him. He wore the sleep pants she’d given him and headed back to the room. She sat tucked in under her comforter on the bed, reading on her phone, but lowered her screen as he passed her. She crawled out of the sheets. “Rocco?”
He headed toward his bed and ensured the windows were all closed and locked so they might rest safely. “Yes?”
The air smelled like her perfume when he turned. She was beside him in the nook of the room as she glanced up at him. “I… hoped you’d fall in love with the real me.”
Part of his heart melted. She was amazing and kind. But Mica was a princess and he was the pauper. He’d never do anything good for her, not really. His pulse went faster. “Why me?”
Her lip trembled and how he ached to kiss her. “Because you’re the most real man I’ve ever met.”
The prince had been a fool. Actually worse than that. He’d hurt someone pure and good, but Rocco couldn't be a replacement for that. He reached behind his head and massaged his neck like that might relieve the tension that built there. “That’s not a reason to want love. You deserve better than what you got, and way better than me.”
She turned away but her shoulders fell as she whispered in the dim light of the hotel room, “I just want to be seen as a woman, not as some rich girl. I’m not always strong.”
Mica was perfect. He loved her, of course he did. Anyone who knew her must love her, but that wasn’t enough. She just needed her confidence back to find the right guy for her, and Jacob. He reached for her arm and wished he could just give that to her. “You’re the smartest, strongest and prettiest woman on the planet.”
She let out a long sigh. “But I’m not any of those things. I was born in privilege, but it’s been just as much a prison as the one you lived through.”
He let her go.
People with everything didn’t understand how he'd been trapped.
