Page 19 of The Thug And His Doll

“Even so. I don’t feel comfortable.”

“But you are hungry, right?”

My stomach takes the opportunity to rumble loudly right at that precise moment. “I’m fine–”

He raises a brow, unconvinced. “If you don’t want to go down for breakfast. I’ll order room service for the three of us. How about that?”

“Room service? What’s that?” Toby asks, flopping down onto the bed, a wide grin spreading across his flushed face as he flips on his stomach and looks between us.

“That, my friend, is when we get food delivered right to our door.”

“Like a takeaway?” he asks, pushing up onto his hands and knees and doing a forward roll off the end of the bed. We both stiffen as he drops, hitting the floor hard. “Did you see that, Mama?” he exclaims after a beat, jumping up and bouncing on the spot like he hasn’t just given us both a heart attack.

“I saw that,” I exhale.

Drix looks at me wide-eyed. “I heard kids bounce back, but that takes the cake,” he says, shaking his head in disbelief.

“I imagine you were just as lively as a child,” I say, my lips twitching with a smile, that I shut down just as quickly as it appeared.

“Believe me, I was worse,” he snorts.

“I bet.”

“So what do you fancy eating?” he asks Toby, casting a look at me. “If you think his tummy can take it, of course.”

“Given how lively he is this morning, I’d say he’s good to eat. But maybe something simple like scrambled eggs and toast?” I suggest.

“Sounds good to me.” Drix nods. “And what about you, what would you like to eat?”

“I’ll have the same,” I say automatically. It’s not that I wouldn’t like to eat more, because I would, it’s just I don’t want to take advantage.

Sensing that I’m holding back, Drix grins. “I’ll order you the same as me. A full English breakfast with all the trimmings. May as well make the most of my friend's generosity.”

“You’ll have to thank him for me,” I reply, glad that I’ve got my hands full with the mug of coffee, because if I didn’t, I know I’d be wringing them with guilt. I shouldn’t be leaning on this man the way that I am.

“I spoke to him last night whilst you were in the shower, believe me he’s happy to help,” Drix replies, but there’s something in his eyes that tells me he’s stretching the truth there a little.

“If you’re sure?”

“Leave it with me.”

Half an hour later we’re seated at the table by the huge floor to ceiling windows, a feast laid out in front of us as Toby stuffs his mouth with toast whilst simultaneously bouncing up and down in his seat, utterly entranced by the view, and the thick snow covering every inch of the grounds surrounding the hotel.

“Can we build a snowman after breakfast, Mama?” he asks, bits of food flying out of his mouth as he speaks.

“Toby, don’t speak with your mouth full,” I chide, giving Drix an apologetic look, knowing only too well that we’ll be on the road again after breakfast.

“Don’t mind me. The kid’s excited. Nothing like building a snowman, is there, fella?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never made a snowman before,” Toby replies, eyes wide with wonder.

“Well then, we’ll have to change that, won’t we?” Drix answers indulgently, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “If that’s okay with you, of course,” he adds.

“Mama, can we?” Toby asks, his face lighting up with happiness.

Happiness that I’m going to have to put out. I hate that I’m the one to smother it, but we can’t stay here. We’ve already outstayed our welcome. Building snowmen with Drix is out of the question.

“Drix, can I speak to you for a minute?” I ask, pushing back my chair and motioning him to follow me to the otherside of the suite, and out of earshot of Toby.

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