Free REBORN (Metamorphosis Book 1) by Marissa Williams Page A

was alive.  For the hundredth time in my life I felt totally alone.  My father died when I was a child, both sets of grandparents too, and now my mother…
    I decided to do what I do best, push the pain down and go into problem-solving mode; analytical Ellie came to the rescue at just the right time.  My first step was to find out how she got to this condition, then who her doctors were and get a prognosis.  The news was not good; the doctors did not think she would make it.
    By the time I arrived at the Mandarin Oriental it was ten in the evening.  Check-in was a breeze!  The concierge informed me that I had been upgraded to the Biscayne Suite.  I was too tired to ask any questions or to investigate any further, I was just grateful to have a place to sleep that was a couple of miles from the hospital!  I just wanted a bath, something to eat, and a warm bed. 
    A knock on the door brought me back to reality. "Who could that be this late at night? I hope they are not here to tell me it was a mistake and I have to go back to my original room."  When I opened the door my mouth fell open; Kayden stood in front of me.
    "Kayden, what are you doing here?"
    He walked toward me, took me in his arms, and kissed me, and the gates to the dam broke loose.  He pushed the door closed with his foot, and we just stood there, me in his arms crying inconsolably, him just holding me as if my life and sanity depended on it.  His hold was warm, gentle, and filled with compassion.  It lasted minutes, hours; I don’t know.  In his arms I lost all track of time; I searched for his lips this time and he returned my kiss with gentle passion.  This man I had known for only a little over a week knew more about me than anyone I had been with before!  He took my face into his hands and looked into my eyes deeply and somehow was able to see all my yearning, all my pain. I tried to hide from his scrutiny but he wouldn't let me.  Instead he carried me to the sofa.
    "When was the last time you ate?"
    "I don’t know, I think it was yesterday, I had some tea and a bloody Mary today if that counts."
    "I'm glad you still have your sense of humor." 
    He went to the phone and called room service; he picked up the room service menu and ordered a roasted tomato soup with goat cheese croutons and a baby greens salad with shrimp and a balsamic reduction dressing for me, and Florida grouper with sweet corn for himself, with instructions to bring the food as quickly as possible.  Then he proceeded to go into the bathroom and prepare a bath.
    "While the food gets here you need to relax; off to the bathroom you go for a nice soaking in the tub."  I looked at him with questioning eyes.  "Don't worry, I'm not going in with you.  I have no desire to take advantage of you."  The look on my face must have been one of disappointment, because he started to laugh and then said, "All in due time, mi amor."  My heart skipped a bit at his words.
    I soaked in the spacious tub for about twenty minutes; it felt like pure indulgence!  After the bath I used the hotel's products to cream my body and covered with an incredibly soft robe.  By the time I joined Kayden the food was already delivered and on the table.  From the moment the delicious aroma hit my nostrils my appetite returned.  I must have been starving, because I devoured all of it.  It was scrumptious!
     
    We lay on the sofa after dinner and listened to soft jazz.  Kayden was on the bottom and I lay between his legs.  His hands caressed my hair, gently massaging my scalp, rubbing my shoulders, and before I knew it I began to drift away.  The combination of warm water, good food and Kayden's gentleness pushed me to a land where no one could hurt me, or at least that's how I felt. 
    The constant ringing of the phone woke us up the next morning.  I found myself with Kayden's legs wrapped around my hips and his hand on my breast!  He was fully dressed and I was half naked with the robe opened.