Free The Hunted by J. D. Chase

you needed me so don’t use that as an excuse,” Angel huffed.
     
    “An excuse?  What do I need to make excuses for?”
     
    “You say that you don’t want to lose the contract but I don’t think that’s all you don’t want to lose.”
     
    I shifted uncomfortably.  “I don’t know what you mean.”
     
    Angel sighed.  “Don’t mind me.  Are you … hang on, if he says that he has to keep you under observation for 24 hours, does that mean he plans to keep you there overnight?”
     
    Oh my god!  Me … stay here with Lucas overnight?  Well, no other women have stayed here! … What’s that got to do with anything? 
     
    “Issy?”
     
    “Um… I have no idea.  We hadn’t discussed that.  I’ll let you know what’s happening later, okay?”
     
    “Okay.  But, if you need anything or if he gets out of line again, you just call and we will come and get you.”
     
    I laughed.  “I’m sure I will be fine.  Enjoy your evening and don’t worry.  I will see you in the morning, one way or another.  Bye Angel.”
     
    “Bye, Issy.  Take care of yourself.”
     
    I slid my cell into my pocket and then sat for a few minutes contemplating Angel’s words.  Did he mean for me to stay overnight?  If so, where would I sleep?  And exactly how would Lucas watch over me?  Would he sleep with me?
     
    I was jolted from my thoughts by the sound of the door opening.  Lucas leaned in and informed me that he had ordered in dinner.  I thanked him and he came to sit next to me on the bed. 
     
    “How are you feeling?” he asked, softly.
     
    “I have felt better,” I smiled. 
     
    My breath caught in my throat when he took my face in his hands and gently kissed my forehead.  “I really am sorry, Issy. I wouldn’t hurt you for anything.  In fact, if you were mine, I would do anything to keep you safe.”
     
    I opened my mouth to reply but found that no words were forthcoming.  Before I could gather my wits, he released me, stood up and held out his hand.  “Come on, let’s eat.”
     
    I took his hand, glad of the distraction and followed him out of his bedroom and down the hallway.  We entered a large formal dining room that was once again, decorated in the stark, minimalist style.  The room was dominated by a huge oak dining table that had been set for two at one end.
     
    The baked sea bass, delivered by a nearby restaurant, was delicious.   As we ate, we talked about local food - I discovered that Lucas never ate out and so had only sampled the delights of local restaurants that had a delivery service.  The lemon meringue cheesecake was to die for.  I made a mental note to take Angel along to the restaurant one day in the near future.
     
    At Lucas’ suggestion, I stood to return to the living room.  Belatedly, I realized that the wine too was divine and that I had drunk several glasses during the meal, when the floor seemed to tilt and I swayed.  I put my hand out to grab the back of my chair to steady myself but Lucas slid an arm around my waist and pulled me into his side.  “Issy, are you okay?  Do you feel unwell?”
     
    “I’m fine.  It’s your fault for plying me with wine over dinner,” I joked.
     
    “Oh, thank goodness.  I mean … I didn’t-”
     
    “Relax Lucas - I was joking.  You didn’t force me to drink it!”
     
    I felt the tension leave his body as he chuckled.  “Come on, you lush.  Let’s get you back on the sofa.  I shouldn’t have given you any alcohol at all.  I wouldn’t make a good nurse.”
     
    He walked me to the sofa and let me go.  He pushed my arm with his fingertip and I fell down onto the leather cushion with a giggle. 
     
    Lucas shook his head and chuckled.  “Miss Price, I do believe that you’ve drunk too much.”
     
    I did my best to look offended before retorting, “Mr Hunter, you are meant to be keeping me under close medical supervision.  What would the doctor say?”
     
    “I think he would say that I am