Minding Amy

"I'm a dizzy, useless bimbo, is what I am." She was amused, her eyes filled with warmth and humor. Her hand rested on his arm, gently squeezing him for reassurance.

"Hush, I'll check us in, you relax. You've had a bit of a bump and you need to rest."

"Ew." Her hand went instinctively to her bottom, where she had smack landed.

He couldn't resist. He slipped his fingers under hers, lifting her hand away. "Hey, careful, I'll tend it for you when we are alone."

"Mmm," she hummed, and her expression was filled with invitation.

A second wave of relief flooded through him. Her fingers trapped his against her body. He smiled down at her. She pouted her mouth into a kiss, winking at him.

"Well, Madam certainly seems to be recovering." It was the annoying little receptionist, and his announcement was both loud and imperious.

Amy looked past Sebastian's shoulder at the man, and giggled. Perhaps she had been affected by the fall, Sebastian realized, his concern levels rising again.

"Can you get me the key to our room," he growled at the man. "I'll carry her."

The receptionist strolled off and returned seconds later with their key. He passed the key to Sebastian and Amy's handbag to her. Sebastian tucked the key into his hip pocket and lifted Amy easily into his arms.

"Comfy?" he asked, when she rolled in against his chest.

"Oh yes," she whispered, looking up at him with dreamy eyes.

Sebastian took a deep breath. With her looking all soft and vulnerable like that, he was going to have to arm himself with a steely resolve, or he'd be ravishing her as soon as he got her inside the privacy of their room.

As if she had read his mind she winked at him. "I could get used to this," she added.

He couldn't help smiling. He set off in the direction of the lift, the straggle of curious onlookers parting as he swept through the reception.

"I have to say, this is another one of my fantasies you're making real here."

"What is?" he replied, stabbing at the buttons inside the lift with one finger poking out from under her knees. He managed to hit the right floor and the lift whirred onto action.

"Being carried to our bed in your arms."

Sebastian looked down at her. Her eyes were still dreamy, her mouth smiling gently. When the doors of the lift closed them in, she stroked one hand against his cheek. Our bed. She'd said our bed. A deep sense of yearning built inside him, a hankering need. He wanted to carry her to bed every night. He wanted to keep her safe in his arms, forever. He turned his face into her fingers and kissed them.

"Oh, I say." The lift doors had opened and an elderly lady stood waiting to get in, staring at them. She was neat as a pin in a navy blue suit and pearls. Sebastian turned to her and apologized, then eased out past her.

"Oh please don't apologize, young man, that was the most romantic thing I've seen in years," she called after them, waving as the lift doors closed on her.

Amy started to laugh and his chest knotted with pleasure. It was good to see her recovering.

"You could put me down," she said, when they reached the door and he stood there wondering how to get the key out of his pocket.

"How about you try to reach the key?" He didn't want to let her go, not yet.

"I can try." She rested her bag on her lap then dropped her hand down to his waistband, feeling her way into his pocket.

"Careful now," he warned, when her fingers grasped at the front of his jeans.

"Sorry, it's difficult to see where I am." Humor filled her expression. "Success." She dangled the key from her hand then leaned over and slotted it into the lock. The door swung open and he carried her into the room.

"The bed looks inviting."

It did, it was at least six feet wide and covered in a burgundy quilt and white lace-edged pillows. An image of Amy sprawled on the bed, sa

ted from their lovemaking, invaded his thoughts. He pushed it aside, for the time being. He wanted to make that image real, more than anything, but he had to make sure she was okay.