33. Tessa
Chapter 33
Tessa
B ack in the hotel lobby, there were police and firefighters everywhere.
I was still in Ro’s arms, sitting on one of the lobby couches. He hadn’t let me go. Not on the ride down from the cabin, and not once we’d gotten back to the hotel.
Everyone had stopped by to check on me. Even Coral. I’d been hugged, kissed, and fussed over. A paramedic had treated the cut on my face. It was shallow, and he’d told me it would heal fine. He cleaned it and put a small strip of tape on it.
I’d made them clean Ro’s torn knuckles. I’d never, ever forget him punching Rupert. Never forget him storming into the cottage, a savage look on his face.
Coming to rescue me.
I shivered.
Ro shifted, then shrugged his jacket off and slid it around my shoulders.
“Thanks,” I whispered. It was warm and smelled like him. I should get up and direct my staff, help them calm the guests who were just now being allowed back in after the fire. Also, I needed to sort out cleaning the restaurant and kitchen, which both smelled like smoke.
But I felt like a battery that had drained of energy. The adrenaline and sheer relief of being rescued had worn off.
Now, I just felt tired. And sad for Rupert, who clearly needed professional help. He’d been taken away by the police.
A detective joined us. “Tessa, doing okay?” Cody had been a few years ahead of me at school.
“Yeah, thanks, Cody.”
“Mr. Langston? I’m Detective Cody Kandolin. I have a few more questions for you.”
Annoyance flashed on Ro’s face. I knew he didn’t want to leave me.
“Go. I’m fine.”
His gaze traced my face, then he nodded. He glanced at Cody. “Make it quick.”
They crossed the lobby, and I saw him stop to talk to some staff members. Whatever he said calmed and reassured them. As I watched, they all smiled and relaxed. That was Ro. He had that natural authority that made people trust him.
God, it would gut me when he left. I’d told him that I loved him, and it had been scary, but felt so right. Even if he had looked shocked. Like I told him that I was pregnant with alien triplets.
But now the euphoria had gone, probably to the same place as my adrenaline and relief.
He was leaving.
Soon, I’d have a gaping Ro-sized hole in my life.
“Hey.” Allie sat beside me. “Glad you’re alive.”
“Me too.”
Sierra sat on the other side and threw her arms around me. She’d already hugged me several times. Jazz stepped up and patted my shoulder.
“I’m okay, guys.”
The usually upbeat Sierra nodded, her face sober. “I can’t believe Rupert did all of this.”
“It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for,” Jazz said.
Allie scowled. “Seriously, this is messed up.”
“He’s sick, Allie. He needs help. It sounds like his father verbally abused him and brainwashed him into thinking that the Windward Resort should be his.”
Allie made a sound. “Lots of kids come from shitty childhoods. They don’t grow up to hurt or kidnap or try to kill people.”
“True.” I leaned my head on her shoulder and grabbed Sierra’s and Jazz’s hands. “Luckily, I’m okay. Caden and Ro came in like superheroes to save me. I’m alive and breathing.”
“So what now?” Sierra asked.
My gaze fell on Ro, who was still talking intensely to Cody.
“Life goes on. Rupert will go somewhere where he’ll get help. Ro’s going to leave. Piper and Caden will stay while we upgrade. We clean up the restaurant and continue to give our guests a memorable stay.”
My friends looked at me.
“Ro’s still leaving?” Allie said.
“Yes. The company jet’s fueled and ready to whisk him to the Maldives.”
Jazz and Sierra squeezed my hands.
“I’m okay.” I closed my eyes. “Okay, I’m not. I’m in love with him.”
Allie rolled her eyes. “I knew this was going to happen.”
“Me too,” Sierra said.
“Me three,” Jazz added.
“It’s all good. I love him enough that I want him to be happy. And jetting around the world doing his work makes him happy.”
“Something tells me you’re wrong,” Allie said in a funny voice.
Sierra squeaked.
“Like totally wrong,” Jazz breathed.
Frowning, I looked at them. They were all staring across the lobby.
I turned my head.
Ro was striding across the space toward me. He looked like a man on a mission. My hands clenched on my friends, then they let me go.
I was barely conscious of them moving away.
His entire gaze was focused on me. He got close.
“Tessa Ashford.” His voice ran through the lobby, and everyone stopped talking and focused on us.
My mouth was dry and all I saw was Ro.
“I came here to turn this hotel into the Langston Windward. I expected some obstacles, a few challenges… I never expected you.”
My chest hitched.
“I never expected to find a smart, beautiful, and tempting woman. Tessa, you radiate light and goodness and love on everyone. And I never realized that I’d been in the dark all my life until you.” He dropped to his knees in front of me.
“Ro…”
He took my hands. “You’re the day, all light and warmth. My entire life, I’ve been alone in the darkness… until you.” He glanced around at our avid audience. “I’m in love with Tessa Ashford.”
I stared at him, ignoring the gasps, laughter, and smattering of applause.
His amber eyes met mine. “I love you, Tessa. I’ve never loved anyone before.” He swallowed. “Or been loved.”
A tear slid down my cheek, emotion welling in my chest.
“I’m not going anywhere, fairy queen. You’ve made me happier and more content than I’ve ever been. I’ve never had one, but I know that being with you feels like home.”
I threw myself off the chair and into his arms. He caught me and rose.
Then he was kissing me. Or I was kissing him.
I didn’t care.
Ro loved me. He was mine.
That was all that mattered.