Blow(53)

Had my assumption been wrong? Was he incapable of caring for Elle and his daughter?

With urgency, she pushed the stroller inside. “He’s not there.”

“Where the f*ck is he?” I asked way too loud.

Elle turned to face me.

That goddamn vulnerability was all I could see. I had to drop my gaze just to keep my distance. I felt an odd need to get close. See her even closer. Make sure she was really, truly okay.

“I didn’t know where else to go,” she said again, this time even more shakily.

The fear in her voice rattled me, and I stepped closer to her and grabbed her arms. As soon as my fingers wrapped around them, I felt a flame light from within me that hadn’t stirred in years. After that, I couldn’t stop the flood of feelings that were coursing through me. Seriously, what the hell was going on with me?

Control.

I was all about it.

I had to regain it.

I drew in a deep breath and let it wrap around me. With my armor in place, I slowly looked her up and down one more time. She didn’t appear to be hurt. “What happened?” I asked, making certain my voice was at an even keel.

Tension eased from her and she let out a relieved sigh. “Can I put Clementine somewhere and then we can talk?”

Keenly aware that the two of us being alone in a hotel room probably wasn’t the best idea, I shoved the remaining strange feelings I had deep down within me. Just a slight chink in my armor. Nothing to worry about. But the protectiveness that was surging under my skin might be. Needing to ensure her and the baby’s safety, I reached behind and turned the lock. The entire time I never let my gaze leave hers.

Forcing myself to be mechanical, a moment later I said, “Yeah, of course. Do you want to lay her on my bed?”

Elle looked at me with uncertainty.

I nodded at her. I wasn’t going to let anything to happen to her. If she didn’t know that, I’d show her. I twisted to put the chain on the door and when I turned back, I looked at her again. She was still looking at me. That look was putting more dents in my armor. Mentally punching them out, I crossed the room and set her bags on the table in the corner. With a flick of my eyes, I saw she was still looking at me. She was weary, worried. I felt compelled to reassure her. “It’s okay, Elle, she’ll be safe in there. I promise.”

Elle was exhausted, I could tell. The circles under her eyes weren’t the only sign. I could see it not only in the way she looked but the way she moved. Possibly realizing I was assessing her state of duress, she dropped her gaze and attempted to push the stroller across the plush carpet. When she couldn’t, she gingerly bent down to pick up Clementine, but just as she was about to scoop her up she stiffened and winced, her hand reaching for her back.

She was hurt.

Fuck me.

Not being able to stand the thought of her in pain, my feet moved like lightning to where she was standing. “Here, let me,” I said, and without really thinking it through, I picked up the sleeping baby girl. But once she was in my arms, I started to panic. I’d never held a baby before. I wasn’t sure what to do. She was lighter than I would have thought. And so much more fragile than anyone should be.

My uncertainty was rising.

And like an idiot, I just stood here.

“Is that the bedroom?” Elle pointed.

“Yeah,” I breathed, trying to keep my shit together.

What had happened to her?

Elle walked into the room and turned the lamp on.

My feet moving on their own, I followed her.

Standing stiffly, she pulled back the covers and placed pillows on each side, leaving an opening in the middle.

“Here?” I bobbed with my head toward the gap.

“Yes, this way she won’t roll off.”

Roll off!

Fuck.

I carefully set the sleeping baby where I was instructed. I sighed in relief once she was safely out of my arms, but I couldn’t stop staring at her. She was a beautiful little thing.

Elle pulled the covers over her and made sure the pillows were secure. “Let me just get her blanket and see if I can find Rosie.”

I followed her out of the bedroom and watched her rummage through one of the bags. “Rosie?”

She glanced up. “It’s a large silver rattle shaped like an elephant’s face that dangles from a red ribbon. For some reason she’s attached to it.”

With that, I turned back to what had been eating at me. “What happened to your back?” I asked, unable to wait one minute longer to find out.

I had all kinds of things running through my mind.

She pulled a few items out of her bag. “I tripped on a step. I’m fine, really.”

Irritated at her cavalier attitude, I snapped, “When did this happen?” I wasn’t sure she was telling me the truth.

“Just before I came here,” she told me.

My eyes scanned the length of her body, looking for further injuries. I was forced to stop when she found what she needed, because she turned and headed back into the bedroom and out of my sight.

Not knowing what to do, I picked up the phone and dialed room service.

“How can I help you tonight?” the voice answered.

“Can I get a bucket of ice, some bottles of water, and a burger and fries?”

Elle came out of the room and pulled the door partially closed.