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She’d acquired his worldview and had learned to open up and accept that love was out there for her, if she’d give it a chance. Before meeting him, she’d figured she would die alone, but he’d given her the opportunity to see how wrong that view was. Now, she met new people, experienced new cultures, and traveled the world, because she’d taken a chance on the professor who had become the father she’d never had. But losing him had rocked the foundation of her world, and add in the accident and Mitchell, well.
Uncharted territory.
This man. This all-American hottie had rescued her and was willing to share a room with her, even if he didn’t appear pleased by the prospect. And when she thought hottie, she meant hottie. Jaysus, the man was fine. Built. Strong. And someone she shouldn’t be thinking of like she was. Imagining him naked wouldn’t do either of them any good.
“I’ll get out of your hair.”
Intense brown eyes from behind the blond hair that tumbled over his forehead followed her hesitant step-slide-limp to the door.
The air remained thick between them but all he did was watch her. She gave another small grin as she stepped out.
She had a vague recollection of calling him sexy earlier but hoped it had been in her imagination. Her leg hurt but she continued to the stairs. One hand on the smooth dark banister, Hope carefully, and slowly, made her way downstairs.
“How are you feeling, honey?”
Her smile came easier. “Sore but warm and so much better. The shower did wonders.” She licked her lips. “Naomi, right?”
“That’s me.”
Hope let the innkeeper guide her into the dining room. The food smelled divine and her stomach rumbled. The staff here wanted her to stay awake for a while and that meant she had to be away from a bed.
“Sit, honey. I’ll bring you a plate.”
Taking a seat, she smiled at the others there. “I’m Hope.”
Hope may have grown up in the system, but her work and general attitude about life made her an extrovert. She loved talking to and meeting people. Hearing their stories and learning new cultures. Even if once upon a time that had bitten her in the ass.
A thought she shoved back. Now wasn’t the time for that memory.
“Erick.” The man had dark hair and eyes that went great with his bronzed skin.
“Sonya.” A pretty svelte redhead.
“Alistair.” A blond with blue eyes, similar to her rescuer, but thinner with no visible tattoos. And his eyes were definitely a different color.
“I’m Wendy.” She had purple hair and colored contacts to match. Cool.
“Are you here for the singles mixer?” Sonya asked while Naomi set a plate before her.
“We’re taking one up to the room for Mitchell.” The whisper eased a concern in her.
“No, I was just passing by. The weather is too much. Hard to believe it’s barely seven.” She looked at her wrist where her men’s watch sat with its cracked face. At least it had survived.
At least I survived.
“Maybe you can participate anyway. Pass the time.” Erick made the suggestion as he cut into his steak.
“Sounds like fun.” And she would have some distance from Hot and Broody.
“Great,” Wendy chirped. “By the way, I love your earrings. A fantastic mishmash.”
“Thank you. Your hair and contacts? Great choice,” Hope replied. She speared the steamed broccoli and took a bite, willing her hand to stop shaking. Her adrenaline had begun to wear off. “So tell me more about this singles mixer.”
After dinner, she sat in the main room with a large cup of tea, a plate of cookies, and some new friends.
The festivities weren’t supposed to start until the morning and, sure, every inch of her hurt something fierce. But she had the impression her forced-proximity roommate wanted space. As he’d saved her life, she would give it to him best she could. There were a lot of people here for the mixer and a few couples who’d not been able to push on to their final destination. Someone had mentioned there was one child here but she’d not seen him, so her guess was they were staying in a room, out of the way.
Some of the guys played cards. Some read. Everyone was settling in. Aside from her savior.
Shifting with a wince she wasn’t quite able to contain, Hope finished her tea and rose.
“Are you okay?” Erick questioned as he materialized by her side.
“Fine, thanks. A bit more tired than I thought.” She lifted her cup. “Going for a refill.”
His smile was warm. “I really hope you’ll consider participating in the mixer.”
“I will. Seems like fun.”
He ran his gaze over her. “Great.”
Hope moved to the dining room and paused due to the pain in her knee.
“You should be in bed. Not on your knee.” That voice. It wasn’t fair to everyone else to have to compete with that heaven-sent yet devilish temptation of a voice.
