7. Welcome to Napa #3
That made me face her. Aurora was a lot of things but one of the things I actually liked was her subtlety and this was the furthest thing from subtle. In her eyes, were dilated pupils. I felt my pockets.
Shit.
“You got my pills?”
She laughed in response.
“You some kinda junkie or something? When did you even get that?”
More laughter.
“How much did you take?”
“Just one, Marley. Relax.”
“Stop calling me that. Gimme the bottle.”
“Can’t I keep it? It’s so boring here already I feel the need to sedate myself.”
“No. Give me the bottle.”
“How about I take a few? You won’t miss it.”
“Aurora. Stop making me repeat myself. I want that bottle back. Now.”
“Say please.”
I stared at her with a blank expression until she finally groaned and dug into her pocket, fishing out my pill bottle. “You’re no fun.”
I counted them just to make sure it was the only one she took. “Sit there and shut up. You’re done for the day.”
“Mr. Sinclair,” Lavender came back, “they’re ready for the bags. Ms. Rodriguez’s suite is on the top floor. Private corner, away from all guests.”
“Good,” I said. “Because if she does anything dumb in this hotel with my card on the books, I’m going to jail.”
Aurora sat up slightly at the word dumb. “I wasn’t even gonna—”
I turned and looked at her. She stopped mid-sentence, then slumped again.
Lavender opened the door for Aurora and offered her hand, which she took like the princess she is, stepping out slowly.
The rat barked from his carrier as it’s handed to a bellman making him flinch. “Don’t scare him.”
Chewy barks again and the bellman looks at me. I turned to Aurora.
“Remember what I said.”
She rolled her eyes and reached for the carrier. “He’s just scared, Marlon. This is a new environment for him.”
“Then you shouldn’t have brought him.”
“And give us both separation anxiety?” She took him out of his carrier and the beast finally calmed down. She did too in a way.
As we rode the elevator up, Aurora leaned into me slightly, “Marlon…”
I ignored her, still annoyed at her for taking my property without permission. Actually, I’m annoyed for a number of reasons.
She tried again. “Marlon, I’m sorry.”
I still didn’t answer because I did not believe her.
We reached her suite and Lavender opened the door with the key card.
Aurora swayed into the room, setting the dog down and letting her eyes widen as the second pill started to kick in. “So… you staying with me?”
“No.”
She pouted. “Just for a little?”
“No.”
She stepped closer anyway, playful yet still drowsy. Her hand rose toward my chest, she forgot the rules already.
I caught her wrist gently.
“Ms. Rodriguez,” I commanded. “Stop.”
Her eyes searched mine, glossy with tiredness. “You don’t like me anymore.”
“That’s not what this is,” I said. “You need to lay down.”
She leaned in to test me again. “What if I—”
“No,” I cut in. “Don’t.”
Lavender stood near the door, pretending she’s invisible and failing.
Aurora sighed dramatically and turned away, wobbling toward the bedroom with the dog trailing behind her.
“Fine. Whatever.”
I watched her go with my jaw tight.
Then I turned.
“Wait in the car,” I told Lavender. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
She hesitated, looking at me then toward the bedroom, then back at me again.
“Sir…”
“Now,” I added.
That was enough. She nodded once and stepped out, pulling the door shut behind her.
Silence settled into the suite.
I stood there for a second longer than I needed to… then followed Rory.
She was halfway through pulling off her top when I entered, movements slow and uncoordinated.
She didn’t even look up at first.
“Privacy, Marlon?”
“Nothing I ain’t seen before,” I said, stepping further into the room.
She huffed under her breath but didn’t argue. The fabric caught around her arms, and she swayed slightly trying to get it off.
I closed the distance and took hold of the hem, steadying her with my other hand before she could lose her balance.
“Hold still, Rabbit.”
“I am still,” she muttered, though she clearly wasn’t.
I pulled the top up and over her head, making sure she didn’t trip over herself in the process. She lifted her arms without thinking, then dropped them again once it was off, blinking up at me.
“Thank you.”
I just shrugged before discarding her top on the floor. She watched the fabric then looked at me.
“I thought you weren’t trying to have sex with me.”
I pull away from her. “I’m not. I’m just making sure you get in bed without hurting yourself. That’s all.”
She scoffed. “That’s all, huh?”
“Yes.”
“You sure?”
“I’m positive. I got no desire to sleep with you in this state. Or in any state, really. I said we’re done and I meant that.”
“What makes you so sure?”
I sighed, exhausted from today’s events. “For one. I don’t sleep with my business partners. Two, I don’t sleep with thieves. Three, I find your inability to follow simple instructions extremely unattractive. Does that answer your question?”
She looked at me like she was trying to figure something out. “You don’t act like you don’t find me attractive.”
“Physically is different.”
“Not to me. Physical attraction is all I need.”
I didn’t answer.
“Bathroom,” I said instead, guiding her by the elbow. “You need to wash up.”
She didn’t resist this time, she just let me lead her as her weight shifts slightly into me.
“And you need to respect my space. Stop touching me all the goddamn time.”
“You touch me too, you know that? Pretty frequently too.” She pulled away but I grabbed her again. “See?”
“This is different. This is me making sure you don’t fall and break your neck after all them drugs.”
“Marlon. You like touching me. Just admit it.” She leaned into me more and I groaned but didn’t move, making her laugh.
Inside the bathroom, I turned the shower on and stepped back. “Take your time and watch your step.”
She leaned against the counter, watching me. “Not joining me?”
“No. I’ll be right outside.”
“Don’t wanna watch?”
I do.
“No.”
She studied me for a second, then nodded. “Okay.”
I stepped out, pulling the door mostly closed behind me, leaving just enough space so I could hear if she needed anything.
This wasn’t my place.
Should’ve left already.
Should’ve dropped her ass off and walked out.
Instead, I stood there listening for movement, making sure she didn’t slip, or fall, or get herself into some other situation she couldn’t handle.
So much for paying her dust.
A few minutes passed before her voice came through, softer now. “Marlon?”
I pushed the door open slightly. “You good?”
“Yeah.” A pause. “I think so.”
When she stepped out, she had the towel wrapped around her, hair damp, movements slower. The edge in her voice was gone, she’d finally managed to wear herself down.
“Come here,” I said.
She did, stopping in front of me without hesitation this time.
“Pajamas?”
“I sleep naked.”
“Of course you do.”
“I took out my robe, though.” She pointed at the bed and I reached for the robe laid across it, holding it open. She slipped her arms through, watching me the entire time.
“Why are you helping me, Marlon?” she asked.
I gave up trying to get her to stop questioning me, especially when she’s like this. But I’m noting that defiance.
“I already told you why.” I tied the robe at her waist, fingers working carefully, not lingering longer than necessary. She stayed still, letting me.
Then I reached for the scarf I assumed she laid out on the dresser.
She raised a brow.
“Sit,” I commanded.
She sat on the edge of the bed without issue.
I stepped behind her and gathered her hair gently, wrapping it up and securing it without pulling too tight.
She tilted her head up slightly. “You full of surprises.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
“Too late,” she sang out.
I stepped back. “Lay down.”
She shifted onto the bed, pulling the covers up halfway before looking at me again.
“You still leaving?”
“Yes.”
She watched me like she didn’t believe it.
“…you don’t have to rush,” she added.
I held her gaze for a second. Then my eyes traveled from her face. To her neck. Then over the swelling of her chest as her breast peaked out of her robe.
This was the part where I should leave.
Instead, I pulled the covers up properly and made sure she was settled.
“Go to sleep,” I said.
She smiled faintly, eyes already heavy. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Yeah, and mean.”
“Nah. I take that part back. You’re a nice man.”
“Shhh…” I cooed. “Sleep time.”
She didn’t argue again. Just turned slightly into the pillow, the tension finally leaving her body.
I stayed where I was, watching her longer than I needed to.
Making sure she was actually asleep and telling myself I was making sure she was safe so Dillon wouldn’t kill me.
Nothing more.
But my fingers brushed against her cheek as her mouth parted and I was dazed. She was so beautiful it made me angry. Because my plan was failing before it even started.
How am I expected to ignore a woman like this? No matter how off limits she was, she was right. A part of me wants to touch her. It wants to watch her.
And this was only the beginning.