One Day You'll Be Mine(54)

“You sure you don’t need me to come get you?” she insisted. I told her it was almost 11 PM. She had work in the morning, and to be honest, I didn’t want her seeing me in this state. I assured her I was fine, promised to text her if anything happened, and let her know I’d be home as soon as possible.





Chapter 25: Natalia





It was close to 11:30 PM when we pulled into the parking lot of the towering condo in downtown Dallas. I notice we didn’t drive obscenely far from the restaurant, just ten to fifteen minutes away.

The ride over was relatively quiet, however, it was to be expected. I didn’t expect the conversation to flow so smoothly after the rough, tumbly way things had ended between us in our booth. I kicked myself in the head over and over as I replayed my not-so-fairytale exit.

“Can you stand?” I struggled to get out the car. It was hard because my right ankle was the injured ankle. I turned almost facing the backseat to get out. Desmond reached forward and tenderly cradled me in his arms. “Close the door for me.”

“My phone…” I pointed to the car seat, where my phone, with remarkably not shattered screen, sat. He leaned me forward to reach it, and I grabbed it, along with my clutch and car keys, both which I slid under the car seat.

I marveled at how he carried me to the elevator, and even in the elevator as we ascended to the highest floor. I held on to his neck at his request. “It helps me balance you better,” he explained.

“Are we going to your place?” I looked into his eyes for the first time since running from Victor Tango’s. Instead of seeing a callous, annoyed expression – the kind I would have probably gotten from Hollis because he was helping me out of obligation – he met mine with tenderness.

“Yes. My neighbor is a doctor. You’ll be able to get looked at for free before we have to take you to the hospital. I hope you don’t mind?” His eyes searched mine for an answer.

I blushed. “No, I don’t mind at all. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He looked into mine for a moment, and warmth washed over me. We shared bashful smiles. My heart raced, and the heat off his body against mine caused my nipples to harden. I caught myself looking at his lips, and realized I picked the wrong time to notice how soft and kissable they were.

I closed my eyes. Natalia, you are the most awkward woman walking. The elevator rang, and I heard the mechanical movement of the doors as they slid into their enclosures, allowing us to step off with ease. Curious to see the kind of home this man had where he lived with doctors for neighbors, I opened my eyes to take in the green and brown décor of the halls. The ornate carpet was eye-catching; when I had a fancy apartment in the sky, I’d want carpet just like this in my hallway.

“Brace yourself, Bettie,” he said in a comical tone. “We’re here.”

Desmond’s place was equally attractive. Instead of the cold manly bachelor pad I expected to see, I was greeted with striking blue, brown and teal décor, along with a gorgeous bonsai tree collection near the door.

He gently laid me on the extended chaise portion of his caramel and mocha colored sectional, and then whipped out his phone. “Hey, can you come over for a second? I need you to check something out for me.” The caller spoke back, his voice not loud enough for me to hear what was being said. “Yes – see you in 5.”

“Be right back,” he said, walking off to what I presumed was his bedroom.

Exactly five minutes later, a knock was on the door. Desmond walked out. I noticed he changed his clothes. Instead of the casual shirt and slacks, he wore some jeans and a plain white V-neck tee shirt. He was still GQ, but more in a casual, boy next door kind of way, nothing like the James Bond rock star on a date look he’d been wearing earlier.

“Thanks for stopping by.” He kissed the woman on the cheek as she entered. I immediately became jealous. She was his doctor?

I’d seen plenty of doctors in my day, but none were as gorgeous as this woman. And no man I knew could kiss a woman looking like this on her cheek and calmly tell me she was just his doctor.

“Hey, I’m Natalie,” she said, extending a hand. I smiled as widely as possible, while taking stock of her appearance. She wore a classic white tee that hugged her breasts, which were so perfect they had to be blessed from surgery, or an amazing pushup. Her sparkly blue eyes and caramel colored hair gave her fresh and clean classical type of beauty.

Her yoga pants showed off curvy legs, but that casual robe she tossed on didn’t fool me for a minute either.

“Natalia.” I shook hers, suspicious of her friendliness. They had to be sleeping together.