From the bathroom, she calls out, “I’m not going anywhere.” She reappears, marches past me, and plops a load of dirty towels in the hallway.
I grab her as she passes by again. The defiance in her gaze makes me consider sitting on the unmade bed to take her over my knee. It’s been far too long, but I can’t lose focus. “You’re in danger.”
“So you say.”
I take a deep breath. “I’m not leaving until I know you’re safe.”
She wriggles out of my grip. “Then help me make this bed.”
And just like that, I’m a B and B proprietor, at least until I can figure out where to stash Amy next. Once I handle her, I can figure out what to do with the rest of my life with a clear conscience. The fact that changing her situation will likely require our divorce shouldn’t make me as sad as it does.
SIX
Amy
Three long daysand three ridiculous nights of Tyler in my space, in my bed, touching me, have driven me bonkers. My body begs me to submit to him, but I refuse to go down that path. I want a real relationship, not a self-appointed handler in charge of my protection. No matter how gorgeous he is. No matter how much he insists on helping me. The sooner he moves on, the sooner I can…start dating, I guess.
I smile and wave as Sebastian leaves for the airport with his mother. He’s become such an amazing young man. Not that he wasn’t already when I met him on the streets of Alabaster. Tyler’s hand shifts along my lower back, distracting me from my memories and imminent tears.
I spin and glare at him. “Show’s over. No one here needs to believe we’re a couple.”
His cocky grin has me clenching my jaw. “What if I believe it? What if I want you to believe it?”
Argh. This man. I throw up my hands and retreat to my office. It’s a repurposed pantry in the kitchen with a locking door holding a small desk, my laptop, a filing cabinet, and the internet router. There’s no room for anything else—except he’s looming in the doorway. The echo of his touch lingers just above my waistline. Right above my ass, where I know exactly how his hands feel. I miss the crack of his palm across my cheeks. He used to send all my demons flying away. But I don’t have demons now. I have rooms to clean and renovate.
First, I have to get out of here, get some air and distance from Tyler. “Do you need something?”
“Ready to show me the booking software?”
“I have too many things to do today.” None of these involve him wedging himself into my office to sit next to me in the tiny space behind my desk while I try to train him in software he’ll never need to know.
“Can I help you clean the rooms?”
He’s been helpful with the daily grind of being an innkeeper. So what? “Pick a room and set yourself up. I’m going to the hardware store to get paint and supplies.”
“I can—”
“No. I need some space. Whatever room you want. You know where the linens are. Put the dirties in the basement next to the washer, and I’ll deal with them when I get back.”
“I should go with you.”
I stand, hands on my hips. “I’ll be gone one hour. You can time me, but you can’t go with me.”
He steps back, hands raised as if I’m pointing a gun at him. “Which room do you want to do first? I’ll clear it for you.”
I tell him to pick one of the three king rooms. Those are my best sellers. The email I sent to a local artist paid off, and she sent me images of paintings I can hang. I just need soft background colors to give the rooms an art gallery vibe. The new linens should be delivered in a couple of days. Snapping the elastic band around my notebook, I tuck it in my purse and pick up my keys. Tyler takes a scant step from the doorway. Once again, I barely conceal my shiver when my body brushes against his. He has to know what he’s doing.
If only Katherine weren’t away on her honeymoon, I’d have someone to confide in about this mess with Tyler. I’ve resisted texting her. She and Gabe deserve an uninterrupted getaway.
* * *
I findparking right outside our little hardware store, which never happens. The bricks that frame the large pane windows blend perfectly with the brick sidewalks. I adore the mid-century feel of Alabaster. Straight out of the fictional town of Mayberry, like nothing bad could happen here. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to be relocated.
Right after I enter, a large man dressed in all black with his hood up shadows me to the paint chips. I pause and slip my phone from my purse, but the man keeps going past me. He’s out of place in my idyllic world.
I shake my head.
I’m being paranoid.
