The Desire to Touch by N Taylor Read Free Book Online Page B

don’t-get-me-involved.
    I sneak a peek at him under my lashes and it hits me – He is a movie star and I’m stuffing my face in front of him, he saved me twice! I don’t feel like I’m in the company of a star though, he just looks like an amazingly gorgeous man that currently has Caesar salad on his chin. He catches me looking. Shit. A shy smile creeps across his face, so I think, I can’t be mean, I smile and point to my chin and he rolls his eyes at me.
    “Sorry,” He chuckles with a mouth full of food, he picks up his napkin and wipes it away. “Gone?”
    I nod.
    “Sorry, there’s no airs and graces with me,” He grins and continues demolishing the food.
    I throw my fork onto the plate with a ‘clink’ I am so full it actually hurts my stomach. I have to readjust my seated position it hurts way too much. I move myself forward so I can slide myself down but before I have any warning the biggest manly belch escapes my mouth.
    I throw my hands over my mouth in horror, devil girl is making a noose ready to end the torture and angel girl is in prayer position.
    I look up and release my hands from my mouth to utter, “I am so sorry, I didn’t know I was going to…I moved and that must have….I am so sorry.”
    Tell you what, I say to myself hanging my head in shame, let ’s go take a nice long walk off a very short pier!
    Trey is laughing, “You stole my line.”
    For the first time all day I feel properly relaxed and I can feel myself start to let go, just a little bit.
    “It’s a sign”
    “Of?” I shift in my chair still trying to relieve the pressure in my stomach.
    “You’re relaxed.”
    “Well I’m just glad I haven’t relaxed myself too much.”
    He raises his eyebrow again this time questioning me but the duo are both on bended knee begging me not to say anything about bodily functions – I agree now is not the time.
    “Never mind.”
    I pick up my drink and finish it off, then signal the waiter for two more. Trey leans forward and as he’s about to speak Brendan’s voice is the only thing that can be heard throughout the restaurant.
    “Pascal, is she ok?”
    Brendan comes running into the restaurant following Pascal’s lead, “For god’s sake girl you nearly gave me a heart attack!”
    He reaches me and lifts me clean off my chair into his secure loving hold and then he glances me over, immediately he then corrects his stance, resuming the professional hotel manager. Brendan then grabs the lapels of his suit jacket and smooth’s himself out.
    “I’m ok, honestly.” I sit myself back into my chair, I think he’s more surprised by his emotional outburst then me.
    “Ellie, what have I told you about going outside at night alone? We’re not in England now, New York is a big city!”
    “Yes I know but I am ok, Trey came and well , he saved me”
    Brendan looks to Trey and grabs his hand to shake.
    “Of course Mr. Thomas thank you. I’m so sorry if my niece,” he throws a glance at me, “has got you caught up in any trouble.”
    Wait one minute, you’re hugging me and now it’s my fault?
    “No, no, she had no idea. I just saw him follow her, she was innocent in all of this.”
    “Hmmm,” Brendan turns to me.
    I snap, “Check the CCTV Brendan by all means.”
    “Ellie, I promised I’d look after you and you’re not making it easy,” Brendan tightens his tie and he then turns to Trey.
    “Mr. Thomas your stay here at Valentines will be free of charge,” Looking around he continues, “I am of the understanding there may have been some punches thrown in self-defense.”
    “Of course Mr. Jones.”
    “We shall deal with any issues in house,” Brendan sighs, “I am going to sort this out with Earl.”
    He turns to me, “Do not leave the hotel again tonight!”
    Brendan leaves and I hold my beer staring down into it. Get a grip woman you’ve got the most attractive man, who is way out of your league, at your table – stop moping.
    I down the beer and look to Trey,