Free Fighting Strong by Marysol James

also creates distance from people, right?”
    “You mean my clothes and makeup and stuff?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Oh, for sure. It’s all about keeping people at arm’s length. It’s – it’s safer for me that way.”
    Adam was quiet as he saw what was approaching in the distance.
    “Adam? Is something wrong?”
    “There it is.” Adam nodded. “We’re here, baby.”
    She raised her chin as she watched the sign marking the Nevada state line getting closer. “Some things are better kept at a distance.”
    Adam clutched her hand as they passed the sign. “And some things should be kept as close as possible.”
    Katie glanced at him, saw his worry. She smiled and squeezed his hand.
    “Yeah. And the good thing is that it’s usually pretty easy to tell which is which.” She took a deep breath. “I understand that now.”
    **
    Mia wandered out of the office when she smelled food.
    “Hey,” she said. “Did you cook?”
    Nick turned. “I did. Nothing fancy… just pasta and salad. Is that OK?”
    “Are you kidding me? It sounds perfect.”
    “OK, then. Pour yourself a glass of wine and go sit down.”
    Mia sat at the table and watched him in the kitchen. He brought the food to the table and sat across from her, his gray eyes very dark in the candlelight.
    “Thanks,” she said. “I don’t know how the whole day just got away from me like that.”
    “So the writing is going well?”
    “Yeah, actually. Really well.”
    “Tell me.”
    They talked as they ate, their conversation easy and relaxed. Nick watched her face as she told him about her book, and he couldn’t think when she had last looked so animated and content.
    Mia saw him looking at her. “What?”
    He shrugged, a smile on his handsome face. “Nothing. Just happy to see you so happy.”
    “I am happy,” she said. “Thank you so much for bringing me here… it’s perfect and you were right. It was what I needed.”
    “Me too.”
    Their eyes met and instantly, the heat flared between them. Nick hardened and Mia moistened and they both knew exactly what was happening with the other.
    “So,” Nick said. “What do you say we have dessert in the bedroom?”
    “Sounds good,” Mia said. “What is dessert, anyway?”
    He stood up. “You’ll see when we get there.”
    **
    Adam pulled in to the hotel parking lot. He looked at Katie, still worried about her.
    “We’re here.”
    She nodded and started to open her door.
    “Hey, stay there. I’ll come get you.”
    He helped her out of the car, his arm wrapped around her waist. She gasped as her balance wavered and he held her tighter.
    “OK?” he said.
    “Yeah,” she said.
    “Let’s go check in.” Adam slammed the door.
    “Just – hold on a second,” she said.
    He paused.
    Katie looked down and swallowed hard. He saw that she looked anxious.
    “What’s wrong?” he said. “Are you OK?”
    “I – I want to ask you something.”
    “Sure.”
    She stood there, trying to work up the courage to say what she wanted. Years of not asking for anything from anyone were working against her, and she was mute in his arms.
    “Katie?”
    “I’m – I’m bad at this, Adam. I’m bad at asking for – for help.” She looked up in to those eyes. “I’m bad at asking for what I need when it means that I look weak.”
    He stroked her hair. “I’m not surprised. You spent a long time taking care of yourself. Asking someone else to take care of you must feel strange.” His hand rested lightly against her throat. “But you can ask me for anything, Katie, and I’ll do it.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes. Ask.”
    “OK. Ummm. I know we agreed to take things slow, but I’d like to ask if we can – we can share a room tonight. Share a bed.”
    Adam stared down at her as she stood there blushing and shifting from foot to foot. His stomach dropped about five feet and his heart raced. He wanted nothing more than to spend the night holding her.
    He lifted her chin, forced her to look at him. “Are you