Page 51 of A Touch of Crimson
“We’ll talk when I get back,” he said again.
“Be careful.”
“Stay out of trouble.” Adrian returned the receiver to the cradle and pushed to his feet. The sooner he took care of business, the sooner he could return to Lindsay.
Lindsay took a second shower. When she came out of the bathroom, there was another outfit laid out on the bed. This one was on a hanger and covered by a boutique’s protective bag. She revealed the garment inside, finding the outrageously priced tags still attached. It was a beautiful ensemble, with chocolate-hued palazzo pants paired with a shell of multihued turquoise and gold. Expensive and elegant, so suited to Adrian’s taste.
A makeup case sat beside it, filled with brand-new MAC makeup. And lying innocuously on the bed beneath it all was a money envelope branded with the hotel’s logo, filled with a two-inch-thick stack of crisp hundred-dollar bills.
She ran her hands down her face with a groan. She was in so far over her head that she was drowning. Adrian was too much for her. She couldn’t handle it. Couldn’t handle him. The looks he gave her, the way he spoke to her and touched her… Whatever the hell they were doing wasn’t a fling for him. And no matter what she said, no matter how hard she tried, he was determined to have her at any cost.
She dressed and made herself presentable, then settled into the seat Adrian had occupied earlier and called her dad.
“Eddie Gibson, Gibson Automotive,” he answered.
“Hey, Dad.” She heard the whirring of air tools in the background, and her throat tightened with homesickness. Her father didn’t know about the darker aspects of her life, but he knew she was unusual, and he loved her unconditionally anyway. “It’s me. Sorry I didn’t call sooner.”
“Hey, baby. Are you feeling better?” His beloved voice was gruff with concern.
Frowning, she asked, “Better? Yes, I feel good. Great, actually.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” A relieved sigh crossed the line between them. “I was worried when I couldn’t get a hold of you. Every time I tried to call, it went straight to voicemail.”
“Yeah. I haven’t charged it since I got here. It might’ve died.”
“Tell Adrian I appreciate him calling to let me know you’re all right. If he hadn’t done that, I’d probably have called the National Guard to hunt you down.”
“Adrian called you?” A tingle moved through her. With everything else he had on his plate, he’d taken a parent’s concern into consideration and went out of his way to alleviate it. His thoughtfulness touched her deeply.
“Yesterday. Told me you were knocked out by a stomach bug. You should take it easy for the next couple of days and drink lots of liquids. And you might consider investing some time in Adrian Mitchell. He sounded like he really cares about you. Could be something there.”
If only. She’d finally met a man she didn’t have to lie to or hide from, and she couldn’t have him. “Are you taking care of yourself?”
“Knowing you’ll nag me if I don’t, yes. Went over to Sam’s last night and played poker, too.”
“Good.” She’d been pushing him to get out more. A poker night with the guys was a good first step.
“Where are you? The caller ID says Mondego Resort.”
“It’s a Gadara property,” she explained, having noted the Gadara Enterprises logo on the bedside phone as she dialed.
“So you’re already back in the saddle then. You need to take care of yourself. You’ve always pushed yourself too hard.”
“Look who’s talking,” she shot back. “I’ll make you a deal: every time you take a day off, I’ll match it with one of my own.”
He laughed, and she absorbed the sound with delight. “All right. Deal.”
“I love you. I’ll call again in a couple of days, but if you need anything or just want to chat, I’ll make sure my phone is charged.”
“Will do. Love you.”
Returning the receiver to the cradle, Lindsay stood and moved to leave the bedroom, grabbing her messenger bag on the way out. The living area had been devoid of masculine voices for a while now, but she still took a deep breath of courage before opening the door. Hearing her father’s voice had helped her regain her focus, but the feelings of vulnerability and exposure remained. Adrian got to her. As much as she wished it otherwise, she had so few defenses against him.
Lindsay found Elijah standing by the couch, waiting with arms crossed. He was a big, formidable presence. His olive green T-shirt and loose-fitting jeans did little to hide the power of his body. There was such a sense of solidness and steadfastness to him; he was the kind of guy you could trust with your life. He reminded her of Adrian in that respect.
Adrian, too, was august and stalwart in an extraordinary way. The feeling he gave her of being anchored was the most difficult aspect of him to resist. She desired him, she liked him, she trusted him. And when she was with him, she felt peaceful, which was a state of being the vampires had stolen from her that long-ago, nightmarish day.
Adrian had restored her equanimity. But to return the favor, she had to let him go. As much as he gave to her, she could take everything away from him in a single selfish moment.
