A Ride to Heaven and Back

"No, I couldn't..."

"Yes you can, now be a good girl and let your protector do his job." He took out his cell phone and pushed the speed button for the hotel. Miguel was on duty and he quickly said that yes a room was always available for one of Mr. Morris's drivers. Of course he would send the car at once. As he hung up, Devlin smiled. "All taken care of, they're sending a car for us."

She gave him a suspicious look. "Uh, just what kind of a hotel sends a car to a truck stop to pick up drivers?"

"One of the perks of working for the company I do, our boss is one of the investors in the hotel." He had done it with several places across the country, his drivers worked too hard to be stuck sleeping in the cabs in winter or when long hours made them less then fully alert. Not that the cab sleepers weren't the best, it was just sometimes a driver wanted more.

"And you can just call this place and ask for a room for someone you just met. Don't they check these things out?"

"The boss and I are old friends, known each other since we were born almost." He smiled as he impulsively put a fingertip on her lips. "Never look a gift horse in the mouth Reni, just for once accept it and be glad I'm asking nothing in exchange, as much as I would honestly like to."

She smiled up at him, and he got the idea she wouldn't really mind, she just wasn't ready. "As tired as I am, I think you would find me lousy company. I'm so tired right now, that I would fall asleep on you."

The picture that her words formed in his mind was no help to the need he felt and he was glad when the town car pulled up in front of them. "Here's our ride, lets get you a bed and we can continue this conversation in the morning over breakfast. The hotel has a great buffet."

She still looked doubtful but let him help her in the car and settle beside her. The driver spoke to him in Spanish and he hoped she didn't understand the greeting. His little deception would have been killed right then and there. Not many truck drivers were referred to as Mr. Morris.

Miguel greeted him as he would have greeted any of his other drivers, knowing that Devlin preferred to be treated that way when he was in town. He waited while she signed in and was given a room on the same floor as his. At least his old friend hadn't put her right next to him. That would have made sleeping impossible.

At her door, he waited until she opened it, and turned to look at him. "Thank you Devlin. I know we got off to a rocky start, but..."

He put his finger back on her lips. "Hmm, say no more, now take a warm shower, and sleep. I'll stop by in the morning to pick you up for breakfast, and I may have a solution to your problem. But we can discuss that over breakfast as well." On impulse, he bent forward and kissed her lips softly. "Sleep well."

When he went to his own door, he stopped and turned back to see her still watching him and looking as if she had been run over by a semi. It took her a moment to realize he was watching her and he loved the shade of red that flared into her cheeks. Almost instantly, she went in her room and closed the door with a soft slam. He had to laugh as he entered his own room and shut the door more softly. It didn't take him long to strip down to bare skin and step into the icy cold shower. He was sure as long as he was around Reni Marks, he would be taking a lot of them.

To Be Continued or Not to be Continued...

That is up to you