Page 9 of Christmas with the Mafia
I don’t remove my hand, which she finds awkward judging from the blush that steals across her flawless complexion.
She turns her attention to Trent and wrenches her hand away from mine and offers it to him.
Luckily, he is trained well and ignores her outstretched hand and merely nods. “Ma’am.”
Her hand drops, and her gaze flickers between us nervously.
I suppose we are a little intimidating as we dwarf the space in the elevator, reminding her she is up close and personal with two strangers, hurtling toward a hotel bedroom.
Luckily, the elevator arrives, and as it opens into the huge space, I say politely, “After you, Regina.”
I inhale sharply as I follow her. Groaning at the sight of her ass that is barely covered by some kind of mesh, revealing she has no underwear on. The jacket would have done a good job of covering that, but the pleats in the back of it fall open when she walks, and I swear my blood is heating up inside me.
She may as well be walking around naked. Whatever store she bought this monstrosity from saw her coming because the scraps of fabric pressed against her modesty are doing an incredibly bad job of preserving it.
I nod to Trent. “Check the rooms. I’ll show our guest to hers.”
He nods and does what he does best, secure the place and I jerk my head toward a small hallway set to one side.
“Come, there is a room you can use to freshen up.”
“It’s fine, um, I’m feeling a lot warmer now, and it’s so kind of you, but really I should go.”
With a sigh, I grasp her arm and propel her down the hallway, her feet tripping over themselves in her haste to keep up with me.
When I open the door, I waste no time in dragging her through the sumptuously furnished room toward the bathroom, and as I push open the door, light fills the decadent space.
“Oh my God.”
Her soft gasp is her immediate reaction, and she says in a whisper, “I don’t believe people live like this. My condo would fit in here with room for a pony.”
I say nothing and grasp a bottle of scented oil and proceed to fill the tub, the hot steamy water immediately coating the room in scented fog.
“You must warm up, and a deep bath is the best antidote to hypothermia. I’ll adjust the temperature accordingly so it’s not a shock to your frozen body.”
“I—I–”
She attempts to speak, but I don’t have time for her questions.
“You have fifteen minutes to soak away the ice inside you. When you are dry, you will find a warm robe on the heated wall and through that door–” I point to the one on the other side of the room. “You will find adressing room where a hairstylist and beautician will meet you. The dress and shoes will be waiting and then, when you are presentable, meet me where we came in for one shot of brandy followed by hot soup. Then we will join the party.”
“Um, did you say we?”
She tugs her bottom lip between her teeth, and her haunting eyes stare at me with concern as I nod, my gaze fierce and protective.
“Yes, Regina. You are my guest now, and I treat them well. We will join the party when I am convinced you have been cared for, and then you will repay me by escorting me through the evening.”
“Escorting you, as in–” She takes a deep breath, causing her purse to fall a little, and now I know why she is guarding it so closely. The dress has slipped and is no longer providing ample coverage, and I sigh deeply.
“You will be my plus one. I’m sorry, that is the deal. If you prefer, I can call you a cab and you can leave.”
The fact that none of what I just said is true is inconsequential because I made up my mind as soon as my eyes connected with hers.
Regina Stone will be my bride, and there is nothing she can do about that.
Five
REGINA
