Tracing Hearts (18 page)

“Hey,” I say softly. “We’re here.” She yawns and stretches and rubs the sleep from her eyes. Her bedhead look is sexy as hell, and her sleepy expression causes my breath to hitch. She looks beautiful no matter what she’s doing. She takes in her surroundings, then her eyes land on mine. “Good morning, beautiful.”

She smiles lazily.

“Morning?” she asks, still foggy from slumber. Then, her eyes open wide. “Morning. It’s morning? Where are we?” She looks around frantically. “Sebastian—”

“Relax. We’re in Savannah, and we’re safe. Mick arranged this hotel for us. I’m exhausted,” I say, my eyes wanting to close. I haven’t been sleeping well lately, and it’s finally catching up to me.

“Savannah,” she says and stares out the window.

“Let’s check in. We need to take everything out of this car. We’re getting a new one.”

We unload the few belongings we have and take the elevator up to the third floor. I’m not sure I like the fact that there were no ground level rooms left. Jumping out of a third story window, to escape some surly thugs, isn't my idea of fun. As I open the door, I groan loudly. Shit, only one bed again. Julia’s sympathetic glance causes me to laugh.

“You need sleep,” she says. “We’ll worry about who sleeps where later. For now, just climb in.” She pulls back the covers on the king sized bed and gestures for me to climb in. I do as I’m told because I’m just too tired to argue.

“Wake me up in two hours,” I say. I’m asleep before my head hits the pillow.

***

A noise brings me out of my slumber. In my still groggy state, I’m not sure if it’s real or a sleep induced hallucination. Then, I hear it again. Someone’s crying. As I come back further from unconsciousness, I remember where I am, and who I’m with. My eyes fly open and my head twists. I sit up abruptly and scan the room for the origin of the sound.

“Julia?” I call out. The crying stops. I stand and walk quickly toward the bathroom. The door is closed. I raise my fist and hesitate before I knock. “Julia? Are you all right?” My voice is impassioned.

“I—I’ll be out in a minute,” Julia’s trembling voice replies.

I close my eyes, regret washing over me. She’s upset and trying to hide it from me. I hear her inhale sharply a few times, then the knob turns and the door opens. Her head is bowed but when she looks up at me through her wet lashes, I can tell she’s been in here a while. Her normally, radiant complexion is now blotchy and her eyes, which usually sparkle, are red and swollen. Our eyes meet, and she gives me a weak smile.

“Oh, Julia,” I say with sincerity, and wipe a tear she missed in her haste to recover herself. “Come here.” I wrap my arms around her, enveloping her in an all-consuming embrace. She’s trying to hold it together, but I suspect she needs to let it all out. “Let’s go over here.” I take the hotel note pad and pen from her hand, and set it on a nearby table. I then lead her over by the bed. My intent is to sit on it and comfort her, but she sinks to the floor next to it, pulls her knees to her chest, and buries her head in her arms. I join her on the floor, keeping my arm around her, then pull her into me. She doesn’t resist and soon, both my arms are around her once again as she sobs against my chest.

I run my fingers through her hair and kiss it repeatedly, trying to console her, but she continues to wail. My guilty conscience is berating me.
This is all your fault. If you weren’t so greedy in wanting to see her, she wouldn’t be in this mess with you. She’d be safe. You did this to her.
I push my self-loathing aside and hold her as best I can. I’m not sure what to say to make her feel better.

“Shh. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.” I hold her tighter, and it’s as if we’re two pieces of a human puzzle. My thoughts then turn to the fact that I’m holding her in a way I’ve always dreamed of. It feels so good to have her in my arms. It feels too good. God, I’ve got to stop thinking about her this way. Now is not the time, nor the place.

Her tears lessen, and she begins to pull away from me. She looks at me, as she wipes the remnants of her emotional outburst from her face.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” She stops. What is she apologizing for?

“Don’t be sorry. I knew reality would eventually catch up with you. I’ve been expecting it.” Another tear streaks down, so I catch it with my thumb. “Feel better now?” She nods and wipes her face with her hands.

“I didn’t mean to cry in front of you. It’s embarrassing.”

“Why is it embarrassing?”

She shrugs.

“I don’t know. I just never wanted you to see me like this.”

“These are unusual circumstances. You’ve lost a lot. You have every reason to cry.” She frowns and looks as if she may start again. “Let’s try something,” I say, getting to my feet. “Scoot up a bit.” With a perplexed expression, she complies, then I slide in behind her. My back is against the bed, and my legs are on either side of hers. “Lean against me.” She hesitates and looks back at me, but again, she complies. “Now relax. Let’s find a different place to be right now. Close your eyes. Think about a happy place—somewhere you feel serene and comfortable.” With her legs outstretched and her hands folded in her lap, she lets her head fall back against my shoulder and lets out a quiet sigh. I rest my hands on my thighs, letting them touch her hips slightly. “Good. Where are we?”

“In a hotel room,” she giggles.

I smirk.

“I meant what place are you taking us to?”

“Oh. Um…we’re in a park.”

“Okay. Tell me what you see.”

“I see trees. And grass.”

“What time of year is it?” I ask.

“Fall. It’s fall, and the leaves are all brightly colored.”

“Tell me exactly what you see.”

She’s silent for a moment but then continues.

“We’re in a small patch of woods. I’m looking up at the multi colored canopy. The leaves are waving in the cool autumn air, and my hair is blowing in the breeze.”

“How does it smell?”

She inhales deeply, I can almost hear her smile.

“Mmm. It smells earthy, of fallen, damp leaves, and nature. I can hear them rustle and feel the crisp crackle with every step I take.”

“What else?”

“You’re there with me.”

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

“Oh? What am I doing?”

“You’re walking beside me…and smiling.” She grins broadly, and I wonder if she’s telling me the whole truth.

“Is that all?”

“No. Your hair is blowing too. You’re taking my hand now.”

I swallow, feeling something beginning to stir.

Keep it PG, Seb.

“Uh huh. Now what?”

“We’re laughing and running. Then, there’s a lake. We stop to admire the view. It’s quiet and the water is still. There are ducks swimming happily on top of the water, and a fish breaks the surface just enough to make rings.”

I’m watching her smile, as she describes her make-believe surroundings. She’s completely relaxed in my arms. I’m trying everything in my power not to disturb her as I nonchalantly shift my hips, trying to disguise the evidence of my desire. God, she’s so beautiful. I want her, and I’m not sure how much longer I can ignore that fact.

She sighs once more and becomes jelly in my arms. With a contented smile, she let’s go of all the stress of the past few days.

“Better?” I say softly.

“Mmm,” she nods. “Much. Thank you.”

“It was my pleasure.”

And just like that, her tears are gone. It feels good knowing that I could be here for her when she needed me. I feel closer to her than ever before.

Then, suddenly her stomach growls, interrupting our moment.

“Are you hungry?” I grin.

“Starving.”

“What time is it?” I inquire craning my neck to see the clock.

“It’s noon,” she says.

“Ugh. I told you to wake me up in two hours.”

“I remember, but you needed the sleep. Between fighting off those two men and driving all night, I’d say your little nap was well deserved.” She sits up and turns to face me, crossing her legs and fidgeting with her fingers. “Besides, I’m sure you haven’t been sleeping well lately. Give yourself a break.”

I yawn, then look at the beautiful woman sitting just feet away from me. Her blue eyes are staring into mine. They’re mesmerizing. She’s smirking at me, and all I want to do is reach over, take her face in my hands, and show her how much I want her.

“I made a pot of coffee,” she says as she stands and walks toward the kitchenette. I watch as she pours two cups and sets them on the table.

“Thank you.” I smile, then stand and walk over to where she’s already seated. I sit opposite her. “I’m sorry for everything. I wish things were different.” I say, then take a sip of my coffee.

“I don’t blame you. Really. I mean, I’m not happy we had to run away, but I understand a little better why we did. It’s still overwhelming, but I feel better knowing that you, with your cat-like reflexes, can take down a whole cartel with just your fists.”

I begin to laugh, almost expelling the coffee I was about to swallow. Luckily, I manage to get it down before Julia would wear it.

“No. Not a cartel. Just a few unsuspecting, bad guys.”

She smiles. “Yeah, well, you impressed me.”

Huh. I impressed her.

“All in a day’s work,” I say, then I remember it’s Monday. “You’ve been missed at work today, I’m sure.”

“I know,” she says quietly, staring down at her hands. “I wanted so badly to call Jessica and tell her not to worry, but I know I can’t.” Her expression is bleak.

“Temporary,” I repeat my words from not so long ago.

“Yes, temporary,” she repeats.

“By the way, what’s this about?” I say, picking up and inspecting the note pad with hearts drawn all over it. The paper is completely covered with ink, and as I flip through it, I discover it goes on for several pages.

“Oh, that?” She blushes slightly. “That’s what I do when I feel sad, or lonely, or stressed. It’s something my mother taught me to do. She said when things in my life make me feel hopeless, I should remember there is love. You just have to believe. She told me that no one can stay sad or angry while tracing hearts, and she was almost always right.”

“Almost always?”

Her face falls again.

“Yeah. I drew a lot of them after she died.”

My heart swells, and I want to erase the pain she must still feel from her mother’s death. I reach over and place a kiss on her forehead and wonder how many hearts she’s had to draw because of me.

Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door. I stiffen and see Julia’s eyebrows shoot up. I walk cautiously over and look through the peephole. It’s an older man with a hotel uniform on.

“Who is it?” I ask, ready for a fight if necessary.

“It’s the concierge, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I’ve come to deliver your car keys which were left at the front desk for you.”

This must be Mick’s doing.

“Okay. Just leave them outside the door. I’ll get them in a few minutes.”

“Sir? Are you sure?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

I watch the confusion on his face as he drops the keys in front of the door and leaves shaking his head. Once he has disappeared around the corner, I carefully open the door. The red carpeted hallway is empty. I grab the keys and retreat quickly.

***

We walk to our new vehicle, on our way to lunch.

“Really, Mick? A
black
sedan? It’s Georgia, for God’s sake.” I shake my head but open the door for Julia. She steps in, and I walk around to the other side.

“I found this note. It’s addressed to you,” Julia says as I sit behind the wheel.

I take the piece of paper from her and open it.

Seb,

I see you found your new ride. Be careful with it. It’s the one I use when I’m in Savannah. As I said on the phone, you’ll find a handgun under your seat, along with two no-contract cell phones. Use them wisely. I also took the liberty to pick up a few things you might need. I’m still working out the details of your relocation. Until then, sit tight and try not to get into any more trouble. I’ll be in touch.

Mick

“What does it say?”

I don't answer her. Instead, I reach my hand under the driver’s seat and pull out a zippered pouch. Unzipping it, I find the two phones and a Glock .45, with an extra magazine. Holy shit. Mick’s got good taste in firearms. I hear Julia’s gasp.

“Mick left this for our protection,” I say, unsure of how she feels about guns. “Don’t worry, it won't hurt you, unless you pull the trigger.”

Her look is sarcastic.

“No kidding, genius. I’m not a complete idiot, you know. That’s a Glock.”

How the hell…

“Yeah. It is,” I say, amazed that she recognized it. “How’d you know?”

“My dad has one he’s very proud of,” she simply states.

I smile and nod and place the gun back inside the pouch, then I tuck it back under the seat. I hand Julia one of the phones and put the other in my pocket, then we take off in the direction of the nearest restaurant.

Julia

After our late breakfast, which should really be considered more of a lunch, Sebastian and I head back toward our hotel room. I know we’re a long way from my home, but he’s still looking over his shoulder almost constantly. I can’t say I’m much better though, but then, maybe it’s contagious.

The Savannah heat is stagnant. When exiting any air conditioned building, the hot, sticky, humid air hits you like a wall, as soon as one foot hits the pavement. The air is almost too thick to breathe. I know we’re supposed to stay out of sight, but I really don't want to sit inside our room for who knows how long. Then, an idea hits me.

“Sebastian?”

“Hmm?” he hums.

“This hotel has a pool. Do you think Mick packed us any bathing suits in the
stuff we might need
bag?” I’m hopeful.

“I don’t know.” And by the tone of his response, I can tell he’s apprehensive. Is his hesitance caused by the doubt that Mick gave us swimwear, or that he thinks swimming is a bad idea? Probably the latter, but it’s just so hot and I’m tired of being barricaded up in hotels. I give him my most sincere, puppy-dog eyed look. After a few seconds, his mouth twists. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to look.”