One to Leave (One to Hold 5)

Sylvia slapped her son’s shoulder, but I heard Nikki speak under her breath. “Gypsy.” Her tone was definitely annoyed.

“So what can you do?” Patrick had pulled Elaine around, and she was now on his lap.

“Don’t be an ass!” She pinched him, and he laughed. “She’s not a trained monkey!”

“You’ve been holding out on us! Can you tell my fortune?”

How I ended up in this conversation, I couldn’t fathom. “My grandmother taught me to read coffee grounds... but it’s really just for fun.” I didn’t mention everything she taught me—interpreting dreams, sensing auras.

“Please ignore him.” Sylvia stepped back to me and caught my hand. “We completely ambushed you. Why don’t you freshen up, and we can visit more when you’re ready.”

“Thanks.” I smiled up at her, grateful for the escape.

I walked down the hall to my room and dropped my bag on the bed. My skin was tight from the mineral spring, and I hadn’t showered since Stuart manhandled me. Unzipping the black case, I pulled out my toiletries bag and grabbed the green silk robe Elaine loaned me when we got here. She’d insisted it was fine—she brought three. Going into the hall bathroom, I didn’t bother to turn the lock. I was the only one on this wing who used it, since Patrick and Elaine had a suite.

The large, jetted tub filled slowly, and I sat on the stone edge, holding my hand under the warm water. The bathroom was rustic, with natural wood and stone décor. Very manly and cowboy like everything here.

With a sigh, I pulled my knee up and rested my chin on it as I tied up my hair. Of course Stuart dominated my thoughts, just like he dominated all of me. I wondered what he’d do when he got back and found me gone. I remembered his anger. I remembered that break in his eyes when he’d said he wanted me. A pulse of warmth moved through my chest. Another silly tear rolled down my cheek. Things between us could be so easy. Why did he have to make it so hard?

Elaine had also loaned me a jar of bath salts that smelled divine. I unscrewed the lid and took a whiff of Cactus Flower before pouring it into my bath. The entire room filled with the aroma. I let the robe slide down my back and stepped in, relaxing completely in the warm-hot water. I wasn’t tired, since I’d napped earlier, but sitting with my back against the jet released all the tension of fighting with the one I loved.

I was a prune when my eyes opened again. My hair needed to be washed, but I’d deal with it later. For now it looked like a trendy updo.

Wrapped in only the silk robe as I walked to my bedroom, I couldn’t miss the loud SLAM! of the front door. It made me jump in my tracks.

Next came Sylvia’s loud greeting. “Stuart! I wondered how long it would take for you to appear.”

“Not now, Mother.” His voice was a low growl, and I couldn’t mistake the thump of boots headed in my direction.

I ran for my bedroom, making it inside and pushing the door closed before it pushed right back open. My heart hammered against my chest. Stuart stood there gorgeous and fuming. He slammed the door behind him never taking his eyes off me.

For a moment, his stern expression slipped. His eyes skimmed my body wrapped only in green silk, and my skin caught fire with every lusty thought I saw reflected in them.

Finally, they returned to hold my gaze. “I told you not to leave.”

“I needed to come back here.” I couldn’t believe how calm my voice sounded.

“Why?” The muscle in his jaw moved, and I felt my resistance slipping.

Fight, Mariska. I answered him with all the frustration he’d put in me. “You know why.”

“You wouldn’t leave here without telling Elaine. You took a fucking half-hour to write her a damn note, but you left me without a word.”

My jaw dropped, but I recovered fast. “First, that’s a total exaggeration. Second, I did tell you. I told you at the lake.”

He crossed the room, catching my arm. My breath sped up. “We discussed that. You said you’d stay.”

“We didn’t discuss anything. You fucked me and made me say that.” Jerking my arm back, I caught my robe that had slipped open.

His eyes darkened at the glimpse of skin I’d accidentally revealed. I wasn’t trying to seduce him now, as heavenly as the prospect was. I needed him to come to me on his own, without sexual coercion.

“Are you trying to provoke me, Mariska? Because if you are, it’s working. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this angry.”

“Why are you angry? Because I won’t play your games? Because I’m not going to sit around and wait for you to walk out?”

His eyes blazed, and he caught me by the forearms. “It’s not that simple.”

“Yes it is!” I pushed his hands away, and my damn robe fell open.