Heart racing, he placed the drink back down. He thought of Noelle and the effort she’d put in to getting him on the straight and narrow. Then he thought of Ben. During his years of drinking, he’d caused him so much pain because of the drink. It would be so easy to forget the world and drown himself in drink and drugs, but then everyone would have been right about him. Noelle would have no one, and he would spend the remainder of his life wondering what would have happened if he was stronger.
Standing up from the bar, he paid the bill for the glass of scotch and left. Drinking was not an option. He walked the small distance to his apartment. When he entered he knew Noelle would be out with his brother. He hoped he’d done the right thing.
Chapter Six
Noelle sat in the hotel room, her palms sweating and her heart beating rapidly. She had made a mistake. There was no way she could phone an escort with the idea of spending time together. Shaking her head, she fumbled round the room, grabbing her purse and sweater. The mistake had been all hers. She went for the door, opened it and collided with a hard male chest.
His arms came round her, stopping her from falling flat on her face.
Her hair covered the scar on the right side of her face as she looked up the long length of body to find the most amazing dark brown eyes staring back at her.
“Where are you running out so fast?” the mystery man asked.
“I’ve got to go.”
“What are you doing in this hotel room?”
“I reserved this hotel room.”
He hadn’t removed his hands, his thumbs rubbing circles where they lay. She felt the heat pool inside her body from the smallest of contacts.
Get over yourself. He’s a hot man who wouldn’t want anything to do with you.
“Then you must be Elle.”
“Noelle,” she said, correcting him. He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head back. He stared into her eyes stopping her from breathing from his intense scrutiny.
“I want to call you Elle.”
Her hair had fallen away from the scarred part of her face. She pulled out of his hold and back into the room. Her heart pounded from the contact of a man while she panicked in case he ran out screaming. She felt like a monster with the way her face was.
“Don’t hide from me,” he said. She watched as he closed the door turning the lock. The sound echoed around the room making her shiver.
She was alone in a hotel room with a man she didn’t know.
Bad move. Bad fucking move. Next time, Noelle, think of what you’re doing.
“I promise I won’t hurt you,” he said. She noticed he didn’t move away from the door. They stared at each other. Her hair had fallen back to cover one side of her face. “You look scared.”
“I’m fine.”
He moved away from the door and sat on the bed. Noelle couldn’t get over how handsome he looked. He was older than she. She saw it in the lines on his face and the easy way in which he carried himself.
His dark hair looked thick and silky. She wondered what it would be like to touch him and feel him against her. He had dark eyes, darker than anything she’d ever seen. His whole presence spoke of power and wealth. She didn’t know why she thought that, but looking at him he fit the wealthy role.
“Do you like what you see?” he asked.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to stare.”
“Look as long as you like. You may come closer if you wish.”
She shook her head. “I’m fine standing here.”
He smiled which lightened up his whole face. She had the sudden instinct to draw him. She wanted to capture the beauty of the moment. He looked so at ease with himself.
Gazing down the length of her body, she was drawn to the strength of his arms. The white shirt he wore was tight around the muscles of his upper arms. Everything on him looked thick and sturdy.
“Do you work out?” she asked.
“Sometimes.”
“You can tell.”
“You don’t work out,” he said. Noelle blushed as she gazed down at her body. She enjoyed eating, and her body showed her love of food. Her dress sizes were in double figures. The last time she checked she was well into a size sixteen with some skirts being eighteen. Her body was full and rounded. Exercise never appealed to her. Running outside would never happen for her, and running in one place was not an option.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I love the way you look.”
She frowned and lifted her gaze to him. He was looking up and down her body. “This feels awkward.”
“Then come closer, and we’ll get to know one another.”
With small movements, she walked to where he sat on the bed. He took her hand and set her down next to him.