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picked a plate up off the counter and carried it to the table.  I made French
toast, she said, setting the plate in front of Dee.
 Thanks. They heard a key at the door. Dee looked at Holly questioningly.
Ben walked into the kitchen.
 Hey, she said, smiling up at him.
 I gave him a key, Holly said.  We need all the help we can get to keep you
out of trouble.
Dee looked at Ben.  What are you doing here?
 I came to make sure you took the day off. You re spending it with me.
 Good for you, Holly said, looking at Ben.
Ben asked Holly if she could pack an overnight bag for Dee and then helped
her to his car.  Where are we going? she asked.
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90
 Somewhere where you will be pampered, he said, helping her in. After driv-
ing through the city, they pulled into the side entrance of a building. A valet
walked down the steps to meet them. Ben walked around the car to give the valet
his keys and instructed him to send their bags up. A host welcomed them and
directed them to a set of elevators that whisked them to the Four Seasons Hotel.
When they walked off the elevator, the staff greeted them. Everything was beauti-
ful, from the marble floors to the dozens of flower arrangements. They walked
into a suite with a huge bay window; a baby grand piano sat in the parlor with a
dozen red and white roses on top.
 This is great, she said, looking around. Ben helped her out of her coat. He
looked at the young woman who had accompanied them to the room and gave
her a small nod. She went in to the adjoining room and returned a few minutes
later to inform Dee that her bath was ready. Dee looked at Ben.
 I had them draw a hot bath for you so you could soak in the whirlpool.
A few minutes later she was submerged, the smell of lilacs and roses drifting
from the water swirling around her.
 Yes? she answered to the knock at the door.
 Can I come in?
She looked down at the bubble-covered water that came up to her neck before
saying,  Sure.
He walked in carrying a small covered dish. Seeing her sitting in a tub full of
bubbles, he licked his lips, trying to find his voice.
 You look relaxed, he said, sitting on the side of the tub.
 I feel relaxed.
He uncovered the plate to reveal chocolate-covered strawberries.
 Mmm, she said,  they look delicious.
 So do you, he added. She smiled at him.  Don t worry; I won t take advan-
tage of you while you re wounded. I ll wait. He smiled mischievously. They
laughed and talked as they fed each other strawberries.  Are you ready to get
out? Ben asked her.
 I am starting to feel like a raisin, she said, looking at her fingers and grimac-
ing. He stood and took a large terrycloth robe from behind the door, holding it
up for her. She looked at him.
 Come on. You re safe. She stood with her back to him. His eyes wandered
down her body, taking in her shapely hips and round buttocks. He wrapped the
robe around her, scooped her in his arms, and carried her to the bed, gently lay-
ing her down.  When you get hungry, let me know and I ll call room service, he
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91
said, lying down next to her.  Are you all right? You re not in any pain, are you?
he asked, looking for any hint of discomfort.
 No, I m fine, she whispered.
He held her hand, looking into her eyes.  When I walked into your apartment
last night and saw him hitting you, I was so scared. His voice was low.  I always
want to be there for you to protect you. He let his fingers brush her lips.
 You re so beautiful, he whispered, as he gently kissed her.  I feel lucky just
being with you. He kissed her again.  When I m near you, my heart races; it
feels as though it could burst at any moment. He placed her hand on his chest,
letting her feel the rhythm.  Do you feel that? That s what you do to me.
 Ben.
 Ssh, he said, placing his fingers to her lips.  Go to sleep. He kissed her eyes
and pulled her gently so that her head rested on his chest. For the rest of the day,
he made sure she didn t do anything but rest. When she took a nap, he went to
the lobby to buy magazines for her to read and DVDs for her to watch.
Later that evening, there was a knock at the door. Ben looked at Dee.  It s for
you. She glanced at him, puzzled, and then rose from the bed and walk to the
door. He had arranged a surprise visit from the hotel ice-cream man. On the cart,
there was chocolate and vanilla ice cream with pink sprinkles, gummy bears, and
all sorts of other goodies.
 Oh boy, she said in a childlike voice. She smiled broadly, joy beaming in her
eyes.
The next morning, Ben woke with Dee s head lying on his chest. He smelled the
scent of her freshly washed hair and enjoyed the feeling of her body lying next to
him. After moving her gently so as not to wake her, he walked to the armchair,
picked up his overnight bag, and carried it in the bathroom. He stripped off his
clothes and stepped into the shower.
They had stayed up until 3 A.M. talking about everything from politics to pet
peeves. They had talked about their families and childhoods and all the silly
things they had done as teenagers. She told him about her past relationships and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]