Page 30 of Our Forbidden Romance 1

“Thank you. A pleasure to meet you too.” I smile back.

Alexander hands Ezra two key cards. Ezra places his hand on the small of my back, and guides me toward the elevator. Stepping in it feels surreal, I am in awe of my surroundings. I watch as he hits the button for the top floor. The ride up is silent, and when the doors open, he takes my hand in his again, and we walk down the hallway. Why does there only seem to be one room on this floor? My question is answered when he uses the key card to let us in.

My eyes go wide, and my jaw nearly hits the floor when I realize where I would be staying. It is stunning, but that’s not the point here. He has spent way too much money on me. Large window surrounding the room, giving a spectacular view of the city. The floor is white marble. The rest of the room is painted white and grey. A queen size bed sits in the furthest away corner. It is more like an apartment than a room. There is a sitting area with two white, leather sofas and a fire.

“You booked me a room, really? This is a damn suite or penthouse, whichever you call it, not a room. Change this right now, or I swear I will walk out of the door. I don’t need a place this size to stay in for only a few days,” I demand.

“No! Stop trying to pick a fight. You are staying here, end of story. Maybe you should try to appreciate it rather than freaking out. I want you to be comfortable and safe, so here is the best place for you,” he counters, staring at me.

I sigh, shaking my head I rub my face with my hands, still in disbelief over what he has arranged for me. Maybe he is right, maybe I should appreciate it rather than trying to fight with him about it. I think we both know no matter how much I try to argue with him on it he will win in the end.

“Sorry. Thank you for taking care of me, Ezra. I do appreciate it, even if it doesn’t seem so. It is just a lot to take in. We barely even know each other, and everything is a little overwhelming. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful,” I say, kissing his cheek.

“I understand, Alana. There has been a lot going on recently. I don’t mean to be overbearing. I just don’t want to stand by and watch you struggle.” He gives me a sympathetic look. I don’t believe Ezra is as much of an asshole as he makes out to be because not many people would have done this for someone, regardless of the fact they’ve only known them for two weeks.

He shows me around. Clearly, he has been in here before. It’s like an entire apartment. “It is incredible and beautiful,” I gush, trying not to imagine the price of it for the week.

“Right. There are bathrobes for you to put on after your shower, along with shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Make yourself at home. If you want or need anything, call down and order whatever you want from room service, and more importantly, get some rest,” Ezra says.

“You’re leaving?” I sound more disappointed than I meant to.

“Yes, only for a couple of hours. I need to nip home quickly, and then go pick you up some things since you don’t have anything. You need clothes, shoes, underwear, pjs, and toiletries,” he replies.

“I could go out and get them myself. I do have some money.” I can’t expect him to buy these things for me.

“Nonsense. I will get them for you. You need to sleep and take time to come to terms with everything that happened last night. Text me a list of the sizes you need, plus anything else.” He smiles warmly at me and clasps my hands. I am ready to protest, but before I can he kisses me softly. “Send me the list, Alana. I will be back soon.” He rushes out before I can even get a single word out.

I groan. I am so frustrated with him and toss myself down on the bed. The big, soft, comfortable bed. Oh my, this is like heaven! I roll around on it for a moment, getting a proper feel for it, and I think I may just need to spend the rest of my life right here on it. However, my state of relaxation is disturbed by my phone beeping. I hesitantly move to grab it, a text from Ezra is on my screen.

LIST! And if you don’t send it to me then I will just try to guess all your sizes, so either way, you aren’t getting out of it, bright eyes x

The man is so damn bossy and persistent.

FINE! But I only need a couple of each, and I will repay you once I am back on my feet.

I write my sizes in a text and send it to him.

Thank you! Now off to the shower and get some sleep. Try not to miss me too much x

I roll my eyes. I toss the phone beside me on the bed and pull my ass off it. I am eager to try the shower out. The bathroom is bigger than my entire apartment. As for the shower, it looks terrific and powerful. I am in serious need of a shower because I couldn’t bring myself to have one in the motel room.

I saunter to the bathroom, switch the shower on, and strip out of the clothes I have had on since last night. I feel horrible, especially since I have not changed my underwear. Eww! I step into the shower, groaning in delight as the instant warm water falls over my body. I close my eyes, enjoying the sensation. There is a good chance I will stay here for the next hour and then sleep for a few.

* * *

I’m woken from my deep sleep by a pair of soft lips on my cheek and shaken gently. “Alana, wake up,” Ezra's soft voice rings in my ears.

“No. I’m sleeping,” I complain, turning away from him and pulling the covers over my head.

He chuckles. “You can get some more sleep soon, but I need to know if the things I bought for you are okay or if I have to exchange them.”

I sigh, hesitantly coming out from under the covers and sit up. My eyes fall on the ten bags that are placed on the floor next to the bed. “Um, Ezra. Why are there so many bags? Did you shop for yourself too?” I nervously laugh. I hope his answer is yes.

“I may have gone a little overboard,” he says, looking slightly abashed as he ducks his head. He scoops the bags up and sets them in front of me. They seem to be from a boutique. I would have been happy if he had bought them from a thrift store or somewhere less fancy.

I go through them one by one. He’s bought me jeans, leggings, shorts, multiple tees, a hoodie, a couple of pairs of shoes, and pj’s. He has good taste. I will give him that.

“Oh. I forgot one,” he says, reaching down and bringing one last bag up from Victoria's secret. I raise my brow at him. “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t choose to go there to buy you lingerie to dress up in, even if I did think about it while I was in there. I chose there because they are good quality,” he says with a smirk.

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