“You’re going to take a nice long bath.”
“I am?”
“Yes. Go on in. It’s ready for you. It will help relax you and get you to sleep.”
She stood frozen.
“I know we’re strangers, but this is where you need to trust I’ll take care of you and not hurt you.” He took a step toward her and cupped her chin in his palm.
“Do you need help getting undressed?”
She jerked away from him and shook her head. “No.”
“Then go.”
He watched her walk away and shut the bathroom door.
The lock snicked in place.
“Leave it unlocked.”
There was a pregnant pause, and then he could hear her unlock the door.
Travis smiled when he heard her grumble something about bossy men that she didn’t know.
****
Nia leaned her forehead against the bathroom door. She was in a hotel room with a man, a huge man she didn’t know.
“Get in the tub, baby, or I’ll come in and help you.”
She jerked away from the door and quickly undressed, tied her hair into a knot, and sank into the hot water. “Oh, Lord.” She felt the tension rush out in one fell swoop, and it almost made her dizzy. Moaning, she lay back against the towel he’d folded.
The smell of lavender filled the small room, adding to her tranquility.
She didn’t know how long she’d rested with her eyes closed when there was a quick knock. The door opened, and Travis walked in.
She shrieked and sank under the bubbles.
He snorted. “Here’s your nightgown, toothbrush, and paste. Is there anything else you need?”
She shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“All right. Don’t take too long. I don’t want you falling asleep and drowning.”
After the door closed behind him, she exhaled and sat up straight. She quickly washed and then turned on the shower to rinse the bubbles off.
She dried off and pulled on her panties and nightgown. She hadn’t realized how skimpy it was. Instead of panicking, she reasoned that the white floral nightgown went to her mid-thigh and had short sleeves. It definitely covered up more than a bathing suit would.
Since she hadn’t seen another bed, she assumed he’d have her on the sofa since there was no way he’d fit.
She brushed her teeth, draped the towel over the curtain rod, and took a deep breath before opening the door.
He was the first thing she saw. He really was a massive man. Besides being exceptionally tall, the man had muscles on top of muscles. His hands were the size of dinner plates, and that made her feel all tingly inside for some reason. Her gaze roamed up, and she noticed he was staring at her.
He had dark-blond hair that was cut short, and his eyes were very dark, almost black.
“You’re beautiful,” she murmured and then felt her face heat with what she knew was the strongest blush she’d ever had. “I mean…”