Chapter 92

The Calm Before The Storm

Alex POV

As I lead us toward the elevator, the silence surrounding us is almost suffocating. I try to keep a pleasant look on my face because there are still people congregating in the hotel and I don't want to attract attention to what just happened. That's something I don't think needs to be going viral.

Rhi's small hand feels limp in mine, like it's lifeless. If I wasn't holding onto it in my grip I'm sure it would slip out of my grasp and fall to her side like it was numb too.

The silence is killing me but I have to maintain control so I don't say or do something else to hurt Rhi. I've already done enough. I don't know exactly what happened to her so I don't know what her triggers are. I feel terrible about getting upset with her but fuck, how can someone disregard their health so easily? I don't understand.

On top of not understanding, the way she looked at me totally took me by surprise. The defiance and challenge exuding from her was palpable and left me speechless. I never thought she could be like that. She's always been so sweet and her snapping at me totally caught off guard. I guess that's just more proof that there's a lot that we need to learn about each other.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want someone who is submissive and meek but I also don't want someone to battle me at every turn either. I know that she's who I want, but I think the only thing that would change that would be for her to keep disregarding her health and safety. I don't understand why she does that. To be honest, I'm afraid to ask because I might be afraid of the answer.

Looking at those x-rays is a good indicator that whatever made her who she is now was not all sunshine and roses. I've never seen so many broken bones on someone. I can't get them out of my mind.

Something tells me that she's more independent than I originally thought too. We definitely need to talk and I think tomorrow is the best time, considering it's late tonight and she's just taken a pain pill. FUCKING FINALLY! For right now, I just want to focus on getting her through the night as pain free as possible.

For a night that was happy and romantic sure turned to shit in the blink of an eye. OK, maybe I overreacted a little but I just want to take care of her and have her experience as little pain as possible. That's all I wanted to do.

OK, maybe my temper got in the way too. That's not something I've shown her yet either. I've been able to control it for the most part but I never thought I'd be in a situation like this. Jack is always telling me that my temper is going to cause me problems at some time. I hope that's not the case here. I don't want to lose her.

It should be interesting between the two of us; we both seem to have quick tempers. The make-up sex should be amazing, maybe even angry sex. Take out our frustrations on each other. I smile to myself just thinking about it. That is, IF we can make up. God I hope we can. I'm absolutely positive I want to. I still want her and don't plan on going anywhere. We just have some issues we need to deal with, like most couples do.

We're almost to the elevator and I can't wait to be alone with her and out of the spotlight. As we're walking I can see people stopping to watch us and now is definitely not the time that I want us to be seen. When we reach the elevator, the attendant is different and I'm a little relieved because she seems to be comfortable with him. This attendant sees her face and looks a little concerned but he says nothing. Mind your own business, buddy.

Stepping into the elevator, Rhi steps towards the back and is so close to the wall she's almost leaning on it. As soon as the doors close I turn around and step closer to her. Grasping her chin, I pull her face up so I can look into her eyes.

I scan her face, noting the frown of her lips and the dullness in her eyes, and my heart clenches. Fuck. The last thing I wanted to do was to hurt her. I feel like a complete asshole.

"Baby, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you or upset you." I sigh. "I've handled the whole situation poorly and have done nothing but make you miserable instead of making things better for you."

The only response from her is to shift her eyes away from me. When she tries to turn her head away from me I place my hands on either side of her face and keep her still. She refuses to look at me.

"Baby. Please look at me." After a moment, her eyes slowly slide until they meet mine. When I see her eyes it's like she's looking through me. My heart breaks a little more knowing I'm the cause of this.

Sighing, I look down to gather my thoughts. When I look back up I whisper, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I treated you like a child. I went a little too far worrying about you being in pain that I tried to force you to do something. I got frustrated with my perception of the lack of urgency for taking your pill and I lost my temper a little. All I want to do is take care of you and keep your pain to a minimum. I hope you can forgive me."

Slowly her eyes focus again but she still refrains from looking me in the eye. Instead she focuses on my beard. "Baby, please look at me." I beg. I hate the distance she's putting between us. Yeah, I know. I deserve it. I'm pleading with her and I hope my eyes convey that. I don't want her upset with me at all. This is a horrible feeling and I don't want to risk her walking away.

Finally, her eyes focus on mine and my breath catches in my throat. I can see the pain in them and my heart breaks.

"Baby, please forgive me. I can't apologize enough to make any of this better." I continue to plead with her hoping that she will.

She sighs, "Alex, I forgive you. You were just reacting to my stupidity and the way I acted toward you about the whole thing." She sighs. "I lost my temper too and caused this whole thing." Tears start to form in her eyes and she takes a deep breath before continuing, "There's so much that you don't know and don't understand because I haven't told you." I can see the pain in her eyes when she continues, "I can't. I'm afraid to because I know that when you do find out you'll figure out that I'm too fucked up and damaged for you." She falls silent and lowers her head so I can no longer see her face.

My heart feels like it's gripped in a vice that's being twisted, like a clown making a balloon animal. I can't fathom what she's been through for her to think all this.

"Baby, I understand you're afraid. I really do. I want to know you and your past so the present and future can be started fresh." I pull her face up again so I can see her eyes. "I'm not going to push you to tell me. You will in your own time. Just know that I'm here for you and I'm not going to judge you."

I pull her in close to me and wrap my arms around her. After a minute, I feel her arms wrap around my waist and it doesn't take much longer before I feel her shoulders shaking. I know she's crying and I don't know what to say so I just hold her tightly.

When the elevator stops and the doors start to open, she pulls away and sniffles, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "I'm sorry." She whispers.

"What are you sorry for?" I ask looking down at her.

She replies, "For being stupid about everything and losing my temper with you. I didn't mean to."

I chuckle, "Baby, there's nothing to be sorry for. You take your time and I'll be waiting patiently for you." Smiling, I add, "OK, maybe not patient all the time but I'll do my best. Besides, I think we just discovered that we both have tempers that flare on the occasion. It makes for an interesting evening." I wink so she knows I'm joking.

Nodding in agreement, she smiles weakly.

"Come on. We need to get you to the room and settled. I'd like to get you cleaned up and in jammies so you can get as comfortable as possible so you can rest." I start to lead her down the hallway, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

She stops suddenly and looks up at me, a strange look on her face. "What time are you leaving?" When I look at her I can see a hint of fear in her eyes.

Running my thumb down her cheek, I tell her, "Baby, I'm not going anywhere." I smile and lean down, adding, "Actually, I'd like to dirty you up and keep the jammies off but not with your block wearing off. That's going to have to wait." I wink and smile salaciously.

She giggles. FINALLY! I love the sound of that. Hopefully, she can get back to the mood she was in before dinner. "I love that sound." I lean down and give her a kiss. "Come on." I tug her hand gently down the hall to the room.

Before we enter, I ask, "Where do you want to sleep? Can you sleep with me in the bed or should we sleep on the couch?"

She snaps her head at me, caught off guard. "You're staying?" She asks, shocked. Why would she be shocked?

"Of course. You didn't actually think I would leave you tonight. Did you?" I ask, concerned.

She's quiet as she looks down. "I just thought…" She starts but I cut her off.

I chuckle, "Baby, there's no way I'm leaving you tonight."

Rhi looks surprised at my answer then stutters out, "If you're sure, I think to be safe maybe I should sleep on the couch? You can sleep in the bed if you want. You don't need to sleep with me. I'll be OK as long as you're here."

Shaking my head, I look at her and chuckle. "Baby, you must be joking right? Do you seriously expect me to let you sleep alone the first night and after your block wears off? Not to mention after the whole situation downstairs? I think not." I laugh at the look on her face and kiss the top of her head as we open the door and walk into the room.