Page 138 of Ruined By Protection
"What I want?"
"With the girl. With your life." He knocked back his scotch. "You've been living with one foot in each city. It's time to step up and commit to a decision."
I shift in the leather seat, Damiano's words still echoing in my head. He's right—I can't keep this up. Something has to give. But commit has always been a concept scarier than death.
The door of Sandra's house opens and Hazel steps out, exchanging final words with Sandra before heading toward me. Even from here I can see her eyes are swollen but she’s alsosmiling with real happiness. Has she finally found resolution for that night we neutralised her husband?
"You okay?" I ask when Hazel slides into the passenger seat. Stupid fucking question.
She turns to look at me, eyes still glassy with threatening tears. "I will be."
I reach for her hand. There's nothing I can say that will make this better. Nothing that will bring Melissa back or erase what Montgomery did.
“We were dancing round the kitchen table just like I did with Mom, like Melissa loved too apparently. And then Sandra told me…”
“Dancing?” I interject, floored by the unexpected behaviour of two grief-laden women. Trying to picture Noah and I fucking dancing after a kill, or when one of ours is murdered.
“Yeah you know, to Florence,” she chirps. I’m shaking my head, befuddled and trying to work out the feminine psyche when Hazel suddenly leans across and kisses me—not a little peck, but desperate and hungry. When she pulls back, her breath comes fast.
"I need to relax," she purrs, her fingers tracing the stubble along my jaw. "Help me forget for a while?"
"You're in luck," I say, hoping to lighten the mood. "Because I just happen to be a Zen master in relaxation."
That pulls a laugh from her. "You? The man who checks his phone every three minutes and sleeps with one eye open? A Zen master?"
"Hey, I'm wounded." I press a hand to my chest in mock offense. "I'll have you know I'm totally serene once you know me. Just ask anyone."
"Right…" She can hardly contain her giggles which is good to see, along with the shadows under her eyes receding just a little. “So can I count on you to impart some of that?”
“Coming right up, bella.” I turn the key and the engine roars to life.
Fifteen minutes later I pull the Maserati into a familiar lot. The Remington Hotel towers above us, its glass facade glowing fiery orange in the setting sun. I turn to face her with a grin and wait for her to notice where we are.
It takes a moment but then recognition flashes across her face as she stares at the entrance where valets in crisp uniforms wait to assist with any requirement.
"Are we... staying here?" Her voice catches slightly, those eyes wielding a wicked glint.
I try to keep my expression neutral even as heat builds under my skin at the memory this hotel holds. "I thought it was the perfect place to fuck you properly. Just for the sake of relaxation."
Her breath hitches as she absorbs the hunger rising in me. A delicate blush blooms on her cheeks.
"Three years ago, we started something in this hotel," I continue, reaching across to trace a hard fingertip around the outline of her plush lips. "Something that got interrupted. I figure we deserve a proper resolution."
The valet approaches and I reluctantly pull my hand away from her face. I exit the car, tossing the keys to the young man while walking around to open Hazel's door.
"Besides," I murmur against her ear as I hand her out of the car, "I've spent three years dreaming about how I claimed you in the elevator here. Seems a shame to miss the chance for a do-over."
"You're impossible," she whispers, with no rancor—only excited anticipation.”Next you’ll be bursting into the kitchen and stealing their lobster.”
"Don’t tempt me, bella." I remind her, guiding her through the revolving doors into the grand lobby. "You of all people know that I’ll do whatever you tempt me into."
The blush deepens on her cheeks as we approach the front desk and I can't help the smug satisfaction that courses through me at seeing her rising desire.
The elevator doors slide shut, cutting off the lobby noise. Hazel stands beside me, her honey-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, catching the soft glow from the overhead lights. The simple dark dress Lucrezia insisted she buy hugs every curve.
She catches me staring and a small smile plays at the corners of her mouth. "What?"
"You're fucking beautiful," I say, hoarse with the desire pooling in my gut. "And I've been thinking about being inside you since we left Sandra's house."
