Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology

by Anthony, Jane

  He reached out and brushed her arm. “I’m not your ex, Mica.”

  Tears rolled down her face. She couldn’t look at him. She deserved it if he left now. “I know you’re not.”

  He massaged her arms like he was an expert masseuse. “You could have trusted me. If I could have handled this myself, I wouldn't have spent years in a four by four room with nothing to look at except my roommate and the gray walls.”

  The image of Rocco stuck and alone in a gray room played in her head.

  Life wasn’t fair. Her tears dried. “I’m sorry.”

  He put his hands in his pockets and the lack of his touch made her ache as he said, “I’m sorry too. I wish you’d trusted me.”

  This was why she deserved to be alone. Her voice cracked as she said, “Me too.”

  He motioned with his head and said, “Well, let’s get in the car and go pack. I want to see my mom to ensure she’d fine, and then we can go wherever you want, even out of the country it seems.”

  He turned to leave but she pushed the strolled and called out, “Wait.”

  “What?” He returned to her side.

  Mica pressed her palm to his chest as she said, “I’m sorry.”

  He lowered his forehead to hers. “I can’t be mad.”

  Ali had been so furious that he'd found another woman and plotted her death. She licked her lips and glanced up at Rocco as she said, “Yeah, you can be. You can do whatever you want.”

  He took her hand and motioned for them to leave the park as he said, “I want you safe, so let’s get moving.”

  He was still here, but once the threat was over, he’d be gone. She deserved to be alone as she hadn’t learned to trust. Maybe she never could as she always took charge. This was all on her.

  16

  Rocco’s mind raced as he stared out the window of the car that headed down the highway at night.

  Mica insisted that she drive her car though at her hotel they’d only stayed ten minutes, long enough for him to get his new clothes and for Mica to pack her bag once they’d left the park and hit the road.

  Jacob slept in the backseat.

  And Rocco decided he only knew three things.

  He wasn’t going back to prison.

  He was free.

  And Mica didn’t deserve him.

  Rocco Hellsworth was supposed to be in jail, but for now he was here to protect her.

  Which he’d do absolutely.

  He closed his eyes and wished his mind could find peace with it all.

  Mica yawned and he sat straight as she said, “You haven't talked in an hour.”

  “I’m tired,” he admitted and rubbed his eyes.

  Today had been an unusually long day.

  She nodded. “Me, too.”

  The sign for the exit with an H for hotel was ahead on the right. He gestured toward it and said, “Let's stop for the night then.”

  Mica tapped the steering wheel and nodded. “Jacob’s been sleeping for hours.” She turned off at the exit sign and went to the first hotel with a circle logo, then stopped in the parking lot before the office. “He’s bound to be hungry soon though I don’t know the Forbes star rating of where we’re heading.”

  This place seemed clean, Rocco thought. There was probably a small breakfast buffet in the morning. While it wasn’t anything like her boutique hotel she intended to open, this would have clean beds. He smiled at her and said, “This place isn’t up to your usual high standards, but would this be okay?”

  She turned off the engine. “I doubt anyone would expect a billionairess in a hundred dollar a night hotel.”

  He stepped out and the night air pressed against his sore face. “How do you know the price?”

  She took Jacob out of the back and held him tight as she said with her nose wrinkled, “This is middle of the road accommodations and the average price is around a hundred. At most three stars at most but I’d guess maybe 2.5 off hand. Hotels are my business.”

  He grabbed her bag she had in the trunk that she’d packed as he said, “I’m a three star kind of guy. It will be fine for a night.”

  She walked beside him. The only sound around them were cars still on the highway until they neared the electric doors. “We will pay in cash to avoid a paper trail.”

  He moved her bag to the other side of his body as he asked, “You have cash?”

  She didn’t even blink as they entered the lobby. “I have everything.”

  “Except happiness,” he murmured under his breath. Her eyes widened and she stared at him without moving as he then said, “You need to start picking better men for yourself and Jacob.”

  Her eyes seemed misty but she plopped Jacob into his arms and he curled right onto his chest, still sleeping.

  Mica handed over cash and signed a paper. He gently rocked the baby and she waved for him to walk with her as she lifted the key card.

  Her face was pinched and she took Jacob back once they were close enough to the door. “What’s going on?”

  She widened her stance like he might argue with her as she said, “There is only one room available.”

  The last thing he’d do is impose in such close quarters. “Don’t worry. I can sleep in the car.”

  Her face whitened and she said, “No. Absolutely not. We have to share.” Then her cheeks blushed and she glanced at his shoes. “I’m making all the decisions again. This has double beds and a crib, but it’s up to you.”

  Sleeping in the backseat where half of the seat was taken up with a car seat or sleeping in a bed was an easy choice. He winked at her and said, “Sounds perfect.”

  Her lips pressed together but she looped her arm in his and led him into the elevator to the third and top floor as she said, “Perfect is overrated.”

  Rocco wasn’t sure how to react to that heart-felt statement.

  He lugged the bags over his shoulder.

  He’d get her safe to her room. She opened it wide and motioned for him to follow.

  The crib was already set up in the corner of the room, and she gently put Jacob down. As she stood, she stretched near the bed and said, “All I want is to sleep right now.”

  He stayed near the door and pointed to it as he said, “If you want to be alone with Jacob, I don’t mind sleeping outside.”

  She stood taller and stared at him like he'd struck her as she said, “I want you here.”

  This wasn’t good. He’d never cause her one ounce of pain, but she made him uncertain what he might do to help. “Are you sure?”

  She walked over and stood in front of him, blocking his way in, until she reached out and took his hand. “Yes. I was worried you wanted your own space, away from me.”

  “No.” He wished he knew how to get through to her.

  Mica had saved his life, in every way. She deserved far better than him.

  She deserved… well a life where she was protected, safe and happy. She let him go and said, “Good. I’ll take the bed closer to the bathroom.”

  “Whatever one you want.” He ignored how his heart raced.

  The shower made the day wash away.

  He hadn’t wanted to leave the steam, but he finally did and found a pair of clean underwear Mica had packed for him. He wore the sleep pants she’d given him and headed back to the room. She sat tucked in under her comforter on the bed, reading on her phone, but dropped her screen as he passed her. She crawled out of the sheets and asked, “Rocco?”

  He headed toward his bed and ensured the windows were all closed so they might rest safely. “Yes?”

  The air smelled like her perfume when he turned. She was beside him in the nook of the room as she glanced up at him and said, “I… hoped you’d fall in love with the real me.”

  Part of his heart melted. She was amazing and kind. But Mica was a princess and he was the pauper. He’d never do anything good for her, not really. His pulse went faster as he asked, “Why me?”

  Her lip trembled and part of him ached to kiss her as she said, �
�Because you’re the most real man I’ve ever met.”

  The prince had been a fool. Actually worse than that. He’d hurt someone pure and good, but Rocco couldn't be a replacement for that. He reached behind his head and massaged his neck like that might relieve the tension that built there. “That’s not a reason to want love. You deserve better than what you got, and way better than me.”

  She turned away but her shoulders fell as she whispered in the dim light of the hotel room, “I just want to be seen as a woman, not as some rich girl. I’m not always strong.”

  Mica was perfect. He loved her, of course he did. Anyone who knew her must love her, but that wasn’t enough. She just needed her confidence back to find the right guy for her, and Jacob. He reached for her arm and wished he could just give that to her as he said, “You’re the smartest, strongest and prettiest woman on the planet.”

  She let out a long sigh. “But I’m not any of those things. I was born in privilege, but it’s been just as much a prison as the one you lived through.”

  He let her go.

  People with everything didn’t understand how he'd been trapped.

  He wouldn't wish the mess of his life on anyone. His skin was alive from her being near. “How do you see that?”

  She laughed in a hollow way he’d heard in jail and said, “I’ve never once had the chance to even have my heart broken in a relationship. Ali preferred killing me over sending me away.”

  His heart went into his gut. If he could have stopped Ali, he would have. Luckily he was already gone. It was probably the one thing he’d ever have to thank his brother for. His pulse was like butterflies practicing their wings. “Why do you think he did that?”

  Her eyes were glassy but she shed no tears. “Because he wanted my money. Everyone wants my money. It’s all anyone sees when they look at me.”

  Until today he hadn’t realized the depths of what she had. He’d never seen half of what she must have but it didn't define her. “That’s not true.”

  She scoffed and shook her head like he was wrong as she said, “Yes it is. What did you think when you met me at the hotel the first night?”

  His gaze narrowed. The truth was obvious. “That you were going to call the police and have me arrested like you should have.”

  Her lips curved into a smile as she then said, “No. I mean about me.”

  This was enough. She shouldn’t. He swallowed and wished she saw her own value as she was worth everything she possessed as he said, “I thought you were kind in giving me a place to sleep out of the cold.”

  Her face wrinkled like she didn’t believe him as she glanced at the crib and then said, “I don’t know what you mean by kind, but I’ve clearly had sex before and I’d like-.”

  Rocco stared at her and wished he had the ability to hold her tight as he propped his hand on his own hip. “I don’t mean any man, but a good man--he would have scooped you up a long time ago.”

  She sucked in her breath and those pretty lips of hers pouted. “Okay, that’s true. I don’t know many good men, just you.”

  He pressed his hand to his chest. “See? That aims right for the heart. What are you trying to do to me?”

  Her soft sigh made him pause as she said, “Your gentleness was part of what I fell in love with.”

  Everything in him was on pins and needles. He had no right to touch her or feel or ever tell her how his heart was already hers.

  All he could offer was his protection. She deserved more as he asked, “You really love me?”

  Mica flinched like he hit her but she took a step toward him and reached for his hands. “I love you more than words can say, more than I can express.”

  Her touch made him aware of parts of him he long thought dead. He tore himself back as he said, “I have no right to love you.”

  She hugged her waist. “How do you feel?”

  “About you?” He pivoted toward her.

  Her huge eyes were full of emotion as she asked, “Yeah, about me.”

  The words came without thinking as he said, “It’s my job to protect you.”

  She flinched and pushed her hair behind her ear and stepped back. “That’s it? Just what I’m paying you for.”

  The fact he'd hurt her wasn’t good. He didn’t budge but said, “It’s not just a job.”

  She turned from the window where she'd paced and glanced at him over her shoulder. “It’s not?”

  If he admitted to her that he loved her, he’d ruin her life. She would try to be with him, and see that he didn't fit. He hoped that in time she understood why he would deny a relationship. He stood at attention and said, “I’ll die to protect you and Jacob. I’ve never had a family to care about, but I know what it’s like to never trust anyone. It’s why I can’t offer you more than my life. You deserve to have the world.”

  She headed back to her bed and pulled her sheets over her as she said, “I don’t want the world. I just want you.”

  He settled into his own bed and hoped somehow the tension ended so he could get some rest. He fluffed his pillow. “We’ll need to leave in the morning.”

  “Okay, Rocco. I won’t push you anymore.”

  Her voice was haunting, but she was better off without him.

  He’d never been good for her. He’d never be able to scrub out his past and she deserved someone who was kind but strong, like she was.

  17

  Rocco had slept like he hadn’t in years. Two things made everything great. He was free and Mica loved him.

  Sun streamed into the hotel room when he woke. Mica had already placed jeans and a gray t-shirt for him out with new white socks.

  No one had ever unpacked for him before.

  Her jeans and a white-flowered cotton shirt was folded beside his. Jacob’s onesie was another suit and jacket like he was the future CEO though he wasn’t able to stand on his own yet.

  Mica caught his gaze. Her long legs made his hands itch to touch them in her green sleep shorts. With her hair down and no makeup, she seemed younger, and even more breathtaking which was quite stunning.

  Of course he loved her. If only he could tell her.

  She smoothed her son’s mostly bald head with a soft-bristled brush. Jacob cooed and glanced up at Rocco, making him feel like he was important as she said, “I’m going to take a fast shower. Can you get room service? I need coffee before I start my day, and something with carbs. I’ll need the energy for the long drive. And get something for yourself too.”

  He'd enjoyed cooking for them at the chalet. Rocco saluted and said, “I’m on it. Jacob and I will keep each other company.”

  A huge smile grew on her face like she was happy so she must have slept well too.

  Good. She deserved to be as she said, “Sounds perfect.”

  She half-closed the door when he picked up the phone in the room. He pressed the button for room service and spoke loud enough for her to hear as she turned on the water. “I’d like two orders of coffee, two waffles, and one bowl of oatmeal.”

  “Ten to fifteen minutes,” the lady on the phone said and hung up.

  Mica gave him a thumbs-up and closed the bathroom door.

  A moment later he heard the water turn on and he picked up the baby.

  Jacob’s smile was even more hypnotic than his mother’s.

  One day this baby would be one of the most important men in the world and he’d love to see him in a real suit and tie on his first day at Mica’s office. This was the closest he’d ever have to fatherhood and he’d be proud of Jacob one day.

  Rocco headed to the counter and picked up the outfit Mica had left out for Jacob. He read the label, Gucci, and shook his head. Most of his former marine friends who married talked about how they only wanted cotton, but Jacob had the best of the best. He also grabbed a diaper and a baby wipe to change his heavy diaper. When he opened the diaper bag, he froze at the familiar black weapon--he hadn't seen one since he'd left the Marines.

  Mica had packed a gun.


  Was it illegal to drive and bring one into a hotel room? He wasn’t sure, but since he'd been in jail, he had no desire to be near a gun.

  So he closed the suitcase with the diapers and juggled the baby as he said, “Jacob, let’s get you dressed. We both know your mom is a stickler for getting things done…” He successfully cleaned the boy and tossed the diaper in the trash can. Then he figured out the buttons and pulled the outfit over the baby’s head. He straightened up when someone knocked.

  Room service.

  So why was his adrenaline firing a warning? He stared at the door. Mica’s shower was still running in the background, but Rocco’s hair stood on end. He picked Jacob off the bed and said like he was rationalizing out loud, “Waffles and coffee. Let me put you down.”

  Jacob cooed but didn’t cry as Rocco left him in the crib, between the two beds, where he’d be out of the line of any fire. He then tried to grab the lamp but it was bolted down.

  The phone was a piece of plastic and not good in a fight.

  His knuckles would have to do.

  Rocco went to the door and glanced out the peephole to be sure.

  The man outside was in an actual suit that matched Jacob’s outfit.

  He wasn’t a waiter. He carried no food. He'd been right to take caution.

  Rocco called through the door, “Who is it?”

  “Room service.” The man stared at the door as if willing it to open.

  No. Rocco stood back and puffed out his chest like he might block the room from an intruder.

  A second later, the doorframe rattled like someone kicked the door repeatedly. Would it hold?

  He braced to ensure no one passed him in the small nook near the door and he wished he had something in his hands.

  A split second later, the door splintered and the man in the nice suit fixed his tie and said, “That one’s in my way.”

  Another man followed on his heels, someone he hadn't expected to see again.

  Bear.

  Out of all the bruisers, it was the one he'd helped free from prison because he’d been his roommate.