Krystal shook her head and winced, holding her jaw. “That’s quite all right. I think I saw enough fireworks this afternoon.”
***
It was nearly midnight by the time I helped Krystal out of the car after the valet opened her door. He was circumspect enough to keep any comments to himself, as he hurried to get the door for us, too. I kept my arm around Krystal’s shoulders while we walked to the elevator and she wrapped her arm around my waist for support as we left the elevator and headed for my suite.
“I intend to wait on you hand and foot,” I said, as I got her settled on the couch and went to get an extra blanket to cover her up. “I’ll head downstairs and get you any toiletries that you need.”
Krystal looked tired as she sat there, watching me fuss over her. “You know, I had turned around to go inside and pack a bag, when Bug came at me. I wish I’d had a chance to get my things.”
“I’ll take you by there tomorrow to pick your stuff up. I’ll call ahead and get Joker to make sure that asshole’s not there. In the meantime, what do you need for tonight?”
She thought for a bit. “I could use a hairbrush, toothbrush, and toothpaste. That’s all, I guess. I’ll just throw these clothes on tomorrow until I get mine back.” She looked up at me. “Hey, do you mind if I take a bath while you run downstairs? I feel like I need to wash this day off.”
“Anything you want, baby,” I said, covering her hand with mine. I leaned forward and pressed the gentlest of kisses on her mouth, hoping I wouldn’t hurt her. “I’ll go run the water for you if you’d like.”
She smiled and nodded, and as I laid out the thick white robe and added some perfumed bubble bath to the hot water, I realized that being around Krystal — even after the awful circumstances of the afternoon — felt right and made me happy. She came into the bathroom before I left, and I watched, speechless, as she stripped out of her clothes, folding them neatly and placing them on the expansive counter, and slipped into the water.
She sighed as she eased herself into the hot water and I watched, aroused, as the bubbles covered her breasts.
“Heaven,” she said, looking at me with a smile. “Thank you, Luke.”
“Want a glass of wine?” I asked before I left the room.
“Hell, yes,” she laughed. They didn’t give me painkillers, and I think a bath and a glass of wine will send me right to sleep.”
“Your wish is my command,” I said when I handed her a glass of the very same red wine that she’d had the first night I’d met her.
I scooped up her clothes from the counter, figuring that I could find someone in the hotel willing to launder them overnight, and I headed down to the front desk.
***
When Krystal finally emerged from the bathroom nearly an hour later, I’d poured myself a scotch and was standing in front of the window, looking at the city lights.
“Better?” I asked as she walked into the room carrying her empty wine glass.
“I feel like a new person,” she answered, looking even younger than she usually did, with all of her makeup washed away and her hair all wet.
“How’s the jaw?” I asked, as I poured her another glass of wine.
“Sore,” she answered. “But it could have been worse, I guess. If people hadn’t been there, he might have hit me more than once.”
“You’re never going to have to worry about that again,” I said. “You’re safe now.” I pointed at the end table next to the couch. “I got you a little something.”
She smiled at me and looked puzzled. “Where did you find a shop that was open? It has to be nearly midnight.”
“Oh, I talked the nice lady at the front desk into opening the gift shop for me. Thought you might like this,” I said, pointing at the box that the woman had thoughtfully wrapped.
Krystal untied the ribbon, and lifted the lid on the box, pushing aside the tissue paper to see what was inside. She reached in and lifted the pale pink silk straps, letting the rest of the nightgown ripple to the floor. “Oh, my,” she whispered reverently. “That’s just gorgeous.”
“I guessed at the size, but I figured you could use something lovely and soft to sleep in.”
“I’ve never had anything this beautiful,” she said, eyes shining.
“Well, that ends right now,” I answered. “Want to try it on?” I asked, dying to see what she looked like in silk.
She left the room and returned, having brushed out her long, dark hair. She stepped inside the room, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She looked sweet, and my heart just ached at the thought that Bug had hurt her so badly. I tried to ignore the fact that I could see the hard buds of her nipples beneath the thin silk, and I held my arms out to her. She crossed the room and laid her head on my chest as I wrapped my arms around her.