Free Marooned in Miami by Sandra Bunino Page B

Doubts of her decision to board the elevator entered her head as the car painstakingly climbed the floors. The elevator’s floor display slowly changed from 2 to 3 when the lights flickered. Stephanie screamed in terror when the floor lurched from her footing and all went dark. The elevator car only dropped about an inch or so, but it alarmed her enough for her purse and laptop to slip from her hands as she attempted to stabilize herself against the wall.
     
    “Oh my God, we’re going to die,” she choked, on the verge of tears.
     
    “Sweetheart, we’re not going to die. We’re stopped between the second and third floor. The front desk knows we’re in here, just calm down and for God’s sake, please don’t scream again.”
     
    His voice poured out slow and deep, like honey. How could he be so calm and smug at a time like this? “Let’s just get one thing clear here, you stay where you are. I swear, if you take one step toward me, I’ll kick your ass. I know self defense.” Stephanie tried to muster as much authority as possible and cursed her shaky voice.
     
    “I’m sure you can kick my ass. Those heels you have on are lethal. Not to worry, I don’t need to hold a woman captive. They come to me quite freely, if you know what I mean.”
     
    “Oh wonderful, I’m stuck in here with an asshole.”
     
    He simply laughed as the elevator shimmied.
     
    Tears streamed down her face and Stephanie screamed again.
     
    “Oh, God, you really are upset. Shit.” His voiced softened. “Listen, here’s what you need to do. Sit down.”
     
    Stephanie slid down the wall into a back corner.
     
    “Okay, now with your knees up, lean forward and take deep breaths.” She tried to stifle a whimper, which came out like a sob.
     
    “Shit,” he said under his breath. “I’m going to come and sit next to you, okay? No sudden movements, I don’t want to be impaled by a heel.”
     
    “Don’t do me any favors, I’m fine,” she said in barely a whisper.
     
    “You’re not fine,” he said as he slid down next to her on her left. Warm hands encircled hers, and she immediately felt just a little safer.
     
    “That’s it, deep breaths in and out. Now, what’s your name?”
     
    “Stephanie,” she said between deep breaths.
     
    “Nice to meet you, Stephanie. I’m Jason.”
     
    He placed one arm around her shoulders and held her hand with the other. His hulking warm presence was indeed comforting, she admitted. As she continued to take deep breaths, she became increasingly aware of the warmth that emanated from his body. His musky scent, a mixture of cologne and fresh ocean air, calmed her nerves.
     
    “Better?” he asked softly. His mouth was just inches from her ear.
     
    “Yes, thanks,” she answered breathlessly, turning toward his voice.
     
    “Is your husband here at the hotel with you?”
     
    “Husband?”
     
    “Yeah, you’re wearing a ring.”
     
    He rubbed the wedding band on her left hand that she still wore while traveling. In her line of business, clients and vendors constantly hit on her. The ring dissuaded advances, at least to a degree.
     
    “Oh - um, no, he’s not.”
     
    “Really? He let a pretty thing like you alone in South Beach?”
     
    Stephanie stiffened and pulled her hand away. “I’m okay now. You can go back to your corner.”
     
    Jason removed his arm from her shoulder, but didn’t move from his spot next to her. “All right sweetheart, did I say something wrong?”
     
    “Do you treat all women like objects? I’m here on business, actually. In fact, I travel all over the country for my job. Alone. I don’t need a husband or any other man for that matter to accompany me. I’m fine on my own.” The heat rose in her face, and she was thankful he couldn’t see her flushed complexion.
     
    Silence took over the dark elevator car for a few moments until she heard Jason inhale and exhale slowly. “You’re right, what I said was uncalled for, please forgive