“Why most? Why not all?” Colton asked.
“She doesn’t realize when she’s doing it, but it’s possible for her to block me.”
“That’s the best damn thing I’ve heard you say since you showed up.” Rhys knocked away Colton’s hand and grabbed his keys from the table without bothering to say anything as he left. Elizabeth might not think she needed him, but damn it, he needed her.
****
Rhys called in a dinner order to the local diner before making it to the hotel. He’d promised to feed his mate, and that was exactly what he planned to do. He slid a hundred-dollar bill across the counter after telling the clerk that Elizabeth was his mate. Fortunately for him, the desk clerk had smelled Rhys’ scent when she checked in, or he would have never gotten the key. “Thanks.”
He nodded and walked out, jogging up the stairs, not stopping until he reached her door. If he knocked, he stood the chance of her not answering, but if he walked in, the move might set her off. Elizabeth was armed and pissed off, and if he were to just walk in, he’d be taking away her opportunity to choose.
Rhys slid the card key in his pocket before wrapping his knuckles against the door. “Lizzie, let me in.”
The door flung open, but his mate kept her hand on the knob, blocking his entrance. Her eyes were red and bloodshot, and the fight she’d shown at his house was etched in the lines of her face. He lifted the bag and drink holder in his hands. “I just came so we could eat together. I promised to feed you. You don’t even have to say a word.”
She released the door and turned around, walking back into the room. “How did you find me?”
Rhys closed the door and locked it. She had her bag out on the bed, and her hair was wet from a shower. “How about we table that answer until the morning after you’ve had a good night’s sleep.”
She turned to him and watched as he pulled the Styrofoam containers out of the bag and set them up at the small table in the room. “Rhys. I can’t do this right now.”
“Do what? Eat?” He glanced at her as he pulled the lids off of the containers. Her stomach grumbled. “Your stomach says otherwise. Listen, you don’t have to say anything. I wasn’t kidding when I said we didn’t have to talk. I just need to be with you right now. We’ll eat and then fall asleep watching mindless television. I promise no funny stuff. I just want to hold you.”
He held out a chair for her to sit, but she didn’t move. He held his breath as each second ticked by, her hesitation tearing at his heart.
Finally, she gave a little nod and slid into the seat. He breathed a sigh of relief and took the seat across from her, waiting and watching as she picked up her fork. “Thank you for this.”
Thank you.He smiled.
****
Elizabeth snuggled into Rhys’ warm embrace. His heavy arm was wrapped around her body, holding her tight. He’d been a man of his word, doing nothing more than helping her relax. They’d barely spoken more than a handful of words last night. He’d kept his hands to himself and even offered to sleep on top of the covers as long as she didn’t kick him out. She’d opened her eyes to find his blue eyes staring at her, her hand resting on his shirtless chest and her leg entangled with his beneath the sheets.
“Good morning.” His husky voice warmed her.
“Morning.” She blinked and slowly started to pull her hand away.
He covered her hand and pulled it back to where it was. “I like it there.”
She smiled and kept her hand over his beating heart. As much as she’d wished they were together under different circumstances, she couldn’t deny there were issues that she needed to address before they could go any further. She didn’t even know her own identity, much less what the implications might mean.
“Just two more minutes and then breakfast before we go talk to Jennifer’s family.” His chest vibrated beneath her hand.
She closed her eyes, enjoying the minutes she had left, where she didn’t have to care about anything outside of what was within her four walls.
“I have no idea what’s going to happen today.” He stroked his fingers through her hair. “But whatever it is, you’ll deal with it.” He glanced down at her. “You aren’t alone anymore, Elizabeth. Never again.”
“Rhys, I don’t know what the future holds.”
“There’s time to figure all of that out.” He stroked his fingers through her hair. “Let’s find the girls first, take down the assholes that are snatching them, and then we’ll worry about the rest.”
She grinned, glancing up at him. That small statement reminded her that, even though they’d barely known each other two nights ago, he was serious when he’d said that he just wanted to make her happy, because there was nothing else he could have said that would have made her heart beat again with renewed determination.
Elizabeth leaned up on her elbow and over his chest, pressing her lips to his. “I can do that.”
Rhys rested his palm on the back of her head but didn’t hold her in place. He was letting her take or give what she needed. She held his gaze. “You never did tell me how you found me.”
She watched as uncertainty clouded his eyes and knew immediately she wasn’t going to like his answer. Sliding out of the bed, she grabbed her clothes and held them clutched to her chest as she waited to hear what he was going to say.
