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Though the lighting in the restaurant was dim, Tressa feared he would see the nasty bruise Cyrus’s tight grip had left behind. Icing the area had done little to reduce the bruising. The chunky bracelet masked the black and blue for now, but she couldn’t hide it forever.
Maybe she could say it was from a disgruntled patient. It was plausible. She’d been socked in the jaw once. No, she wasn’t going to lie. Their relationship couldn’t be plagued with lies. She had to tell him about her encounter with Cyrus. No secrets, she told herself. But not tonight. Tonight she just wanted to enjoy a beautiful evening with her man. Her trifling ex had ruined her afternoon; she refused to allow him to ruin her evening, too.
Tressa reclaimed her hand. “Mr. Lexington, are you trying to seduce me in this restaurant full of people, then entice me to join you in the restroom?”
“Don’t give me any ideas, woman.”
When he winked at her, a few naughty thoughts ran through her mind.
Roth dragged a finger along her forearm. “How was your day?”
“Long.”
Concern spread across his face. “Did something happen?”
Tressa waved off the words. “No. Nothing out of the ordinary. Everyday stuff. A normal day in the ER. I just need a long, hot soak.” To stop her babbling, she lifted her water glass to her lips.
He leaned in close. “I think I can manage a long, hot bath. A nice rubdown afterward. How does that sound?”
“Excellent. I’d like that a lot.”
Over the next couple of hours Tressa and Roth enjoyed mouthwatering appetizers, several varieties of fire-roasted meats and sampled countless side dishes. To say she was stuffed would be a gross understatement.
“So, Chef Washington, does Tegria’s get your seal of approval?”
“Absolutely. I am officially in love with this place.”
“Did you save room for dessert?”
“Are you kidding me? If I eat one more thing, I’ll explode. Are you getting dessert?”
He nodded like an overly anxious child who’d just been offered free rein in a candy shop.
Tressa laughed. “Where do you put it all?”
“I have plenty of space left. I didn’t eat as much as you did.”
Tressa swatted him playfully. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
Roth snagged her hand and brought it to his lips. “You know I’m only playing with you.” He kissed the back of her hand, then her palm. When he slid her bracelet to kiss her wrist, he went still. He squinted as if he didn’t believe what his own eyes were seeing. Fine lines crawled across his forehead.
“What happened to your wrist? How’d you get this nasty bruise?”
Tressa’s heartbeat increased slightly. This was not where and how she wanted to tell him. “Today…um… Today, I…um…” She cleared her throat. “One of my patients… He was high on meth and had a psychotic break. He thought I was an alien coming to abduct him.” So much for the truth. It was just one lie for the greater good, she tried to convince herself. Still, she felt awful and guilty.
Roth’s features hardened. “How in the hell did they allow that bastard to manhandle you like this?”
Tressa glanced around to see if Roth’s words had drawn any attention. Luckily, the place buzzed with so much chatter, she doubted anyone even gave them a sideways glance. “Roth, sweetie, calm down. It’s really not that serious.”
He made a sound similar to what a tortured animal would make. “Not that… It is that serious, Tressa. I don’t like the idea of anyone putting their hands on you, especially aggressively enough to leave a mark like this.”
To ease the mood, she said, “You know, I bet if you kiss it, you’d make it all better.” She flashed a warm smile.
“Tressa, this is no joking matter. I—”
“Please.” She batted her eyes for effect.
Roth studied her long and hard, his displeased expression finally softening. A beat later he peppered her wrist with delicate kisses.
“See, it’s better already.”
Roth flashed a lazy smile, then slouched back against his chair. She’d seen the fury that had danced in his eyes. Thank God she hadn’t told him what had really happened. There was no telling what he would have done.
