Long Distance Lover

Kelly looked away. “How long do we have to stay here?”

“Until you’re better.” He glanced at her profile. Her mouth was a tight line as it always was when she was upset, worried or concentrating on the track. This was not the track. “You want to tell me what’s really bothering you?”

“Nothing,” she muttered.

“Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”

She folded her arms. “Sure.”

“Hungry?”

“No.”

“You really haven’t been eating lately. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine. Please stop asking me.”

“All right, all right. Take it easy.”

She pushed out a breath. “I’m sorry. Guess my nerves are getting the best of me.”

David leaned over and took her hand. “Look at me.”

Reluctantly she did.

“Haven’t I always taken care of you?”

“Yes.”

“Have I ever let you down?”

“No.”

“Then that’s all you need to remember.”

“But what if someone finds out?”

“They won’t. They won’t,” he repeated. “All you have to do is follow the instructions of the therapist and the rest will take care of itself.”

The car slowed then came to a stop. Moments later, Bill opened the door. David got out first, went around to the trunk and retrieved Kelly’s crutches. Together he and Bill helped her from the car.

“What…no wheelchair?” Kelly quipped while gaining her balance.

“Time is no longer of the essence.”

Bill signaled the bellhop and they loaded the luggage onto a cart.

The decor of the Marriott was gracefully elegant. A dazzling chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceiling was the centerpiece of the circular floor. Light touches of gold filigree graced tables, the edges of counters and the reception desks. The hotel was busy. There was a steady movement of guests and uniformed hotel staff, but not one seemed to pay Kelly any undue attention. In a town like New York, celebrities were a dime a dozen.

“Welcome to the Marriott,” the concierge greeted. “I hope you have a lovely stay with us and if there is anything we can do to make you more comfortable, Ms. Maxwell, please let me know.”

“Thank you, I will.”

“If you will follow me, I’ll personally escort you to your room. You’re all checked in.”

“You have her in the presidential suite, correct?” David asked.

“Of course. Only the best. And it has the connecting suite as you requested.”

David nodded. “Excellent.”

“Connecting suite?” Kelly mouthed to David.

“We’ll talk upstairs.”

Once they were settled and the concierge had bowed his way out, Kelly didn’t waste a moment in getting to the connecting suite situation.

“You want to tell me now?”

“Look, I plan to be here for the next two weeks. You’re going to need help. What sense does it make for me to be in a completely different room, possibly on a different floor, in case of an emergency?”

She’d have to be extra careful. David must never know. There were many things she shared with David, but this could not be one of them. No one must find out. She was too ashamed.

“Fine. I suppose you’re right. Just make sure you knock first.”

He chuckled. “The door locks from your side.”

Her lips flickered ever so slightly until they formed the halo of a smile. She half walked, half hopped toward the couch and sat down. She looked up at him then stretched out her hand.

David walked toward her, took her hand then sat down. “What?” His voice was a gentle nudge.

“If I haven’t told you thank you—then thank you—for everything. I don’t know how many strings you had to pull to get me here. I did my research, too. This Dr. Hutchinson is booked through the year.”

He tightened his hold on her hand and looked her deep in the eyes. “I told you, whatever needed to be done to help you I was going to make it happen.”

Kelly lowered her gaze. “I owe you so much.” She looked up and stared into his eyes.

David felt himself being pulled into the midnight pools of her eyes. It would be so easy to kiss her right at that moment. Easy to loosen the barrette that held her hair in place and watch it fall in waves across her shoulders. So easy to lean her back against the pillows of the couch and caress the skin that he knew would feel like satin beneath his fingertips.

David forced a smile. “I’d better unpack.” Quickly he stood before desire outweighed reason. “Why don’t you order room service? Let’s see if the hotel lives up to all its hype.” He started to walk toward the door that separated them. “I’ll be back in a few.”

Kelly didn’t trust herself to speak so she simply nodded her head. Once David closed the door behind him, she finally released the breath she’d held. How was she going to be able to get through the next two weeks with David less than one hundred feet away every night?

Chapter 8

Dr. Alex Hutchinson strolled casually down the corridor of New York University Hospital, while studying the chart he held in his hand.

Kelly Maxwell. 29. Track star… He reviewed the details of her injury and his gut instinct and years of experience told him only a miracle would have her running again, at least competitively.