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Me:Keep your boxers on, I’m downstairs.
Damon:In the hotel?
Me:Yeah. On my own. So I’m safe. Stop panicking. I’m going home now.
I stare at the screen for thirty seconds, but he doesn’t reply. I bet he’s right pissed off with me. I slide my phone into my clutch, then put my head in my hands again. Jesus. I can do this. I’ll get to the lobby, and then I’ll call an Uber.
Ohhh… I’m not sure my legs will make it that far…
“Looks like someone’s not happy you’re here,” the bartender tells me with amusement.
I look up to see Damon striding into the bar. I blink. He’s clearly dressed in a hurry. He’s wearing his shirt and suit trousers, but only half the buttons are done up on his white shirt, his hair is ruffled, and he’s barefoot. Oh wow.
“Jesus,” he says, stopping before me. Hands on his hips, he blows out a breath and glances at the bartender.
“She’s all right,” she says gently. “I was about to put her in an Uber.”
I look up at him, my bottom lip trembling. He cups my face and looks into my eyes for a moment, his gingerbread-brown eyes searching mine as if he’s in a forest at night, hunting for a rabbit with a flashlight.
Then he puts his arms around me and gives me a hug.
I bury my face in his shirt, inhaling his cologne, unable to fight the feeling that everything’s going to be okay now he’s here.
“Don’t leave me,” I mumble.
“I won’t. It’s all right. You’re okay. Look, I can’t drive you home because I’ve had a few drinks, but how about I call us an Uber, and I’ll come with you, make sure you get home all right?”
“I don’t want to go home,” I whisper.
He strokes my back. “All right. What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know.” I nestle as close as I can to him. “I want to stay with you.”
“Are you her boyfriend?” the bartender asks.
“No.” He kisses the top of my head. “Not quite. She’s my best mate’s little sis and the bridesmaid at the wedding tomorrow—her name’s Belle Winters, and she’s obviously upset. I’m Damon—we’re good friends and I’ve known her for, like, fifteen years. Put her bill on room forty-two, okay? I’m going to take her up to my room, put her to bed, and let her sleep it off. I’ll sleep on the sofa. Are you all right with that?”
Part of me is incredibly touched that he’s asking the bartender’s permission. Of course he is. He’ll always put the girl’s safety first.
The bartender touches my arm. “Are you happy to go with him, honey?”
I nod.
“All right. Go on, then.”
“Thanks.” He slides an arm around my waist. “Come on, ma belle.”
He helps me off the barstool and grabs my clutch with his left hand. With his right arm tight around me, he takes me out to the elevators and presses the button.
“I’m sorry.” I nestle closer to him. He’s warm, and he smells amazing.
“Shh. It’s okay.” He hugs me until the doors open, then guides me in. He touches his card to the panel and presses a button, and the elevator rises.
Chapter Seventeen
Damon
Belle sways a little against me, and then out of the blue her knees buckle. Luckily I have an arm around her waist, and I quickly tighten it and slide my other arm under her legs, scooping her up into my arms.
