She Belongs to Me by Carmen DeSousa Page B

After entering the elevator, he pressed the button for the fourth floor.
    “Sorry it’s not fancier.” He broke the silence when the elevator door shut. “I wasn’t anticipating company.” She said nothing, so he continued. “On business trips I just pick a popular hotel chain close to my area of work.” She looked up at him then. He could see she was still angry, but a small smile quirked at the corner of her mouth.
     
    Jaynee tried to remain indignant but found this small revelation pleasant. The majority of men she met came to Florida only to party. Jordan hadn’t even picked a place on the beach. He really was here only to help.
    “I’m glad…I mean…I’m happy you weren’t expecting company,” she confessed.
    Jordan escorted her out of the elevator and down the hall. He held his hotel door open, and she entered the room tentatively.
    Although she wanted Jordan last night and this morning, her home had felt safer. The idea of entering his hotel room on the other hand, had her feeling a little anxious. What would she do if he became aggressive? She closed her eyes wondering how she always got herself in these predicaments. No matter how rational her brain wanted to scream at her to run, her heart wouldn’t listen. Something told her Jordan was different. She couldn’t leave.
    As soon as he walked into the room, he went to the tiny refrigerator and pulled out two sodas and a couple packets of crackers. “Did you eat? You should eat something. I can order pizza or something.” He rattled off the words as if he were in a rush, then walked over to the dresser and pulled out a large t-shirt. “Your shirt is ripped. You can wear this. I’d rather you not go back to your place if acceptable with you. Those scumbags may have been stalking you and might know where you live. Feel free to use whatever you want in the bathroom if you want to fix those scrapes on your arm.” He tossed the shirt on the bed and turned away from her, walking toward the window. She could see he was agitate d and evidently needed to relax too.
    Jaynee stared after him, not sure what to say. She felt completely comfortable with Jordan but couldn’t help but be cautious about the situation. He hadn’t pressured her with anything; he was simply offering her something she didn’t understand. She was so accustomed to people taking from her. She didn’t know what to do when someone was willing to give without expectation of anything in return.
    “I’m not hungry,” she said quietly, then picked up his shirt and headed off toward the bathroom before he could respond.
    Once inside the bathroom, she decided to take a shower.
    Steaming-hot water poured over her body dissolving the grime and filth she felt from those degenerates’ attack. He had called her Caycee and had asked about the letter she discarded. Brian obviously sent Kenny to intimidate her.
    They wouldn’t have hurt her…she knew indisputably. Brian was many things, but he had never laid a hand on her, and she was certain he’d kill whoever did. Those barbarians were only there to frighten her. She now wondered what was in the letter. No, she decided immediately, she didn’t care.
    She would let her past go. She would never open another letter or cry another tear over her ex, her mother or even her father for that matter. She would tell Jordan everything. If he still wanted her, great. If not, she’d still let it go. She was tired of shouldering her past. It felt like a horse collar weighing her down.
    She hadn’t had feelings for Brian in years anyway. He destroyed everything the first time she discovered he cheated. Tolerating drugs and alcohol was stupid, but there was no excuse to remain with someone who didn’t care enough to be faithful.
     
    Jordan stared out the window, attempting to control his emotions.
    He contemplated having a drink to settle down. It had been so long since he had more than a few sips of alcohol, though; he wasn’t sure how he’d react.