Forced To Love You

He's My Fiance

The drive wasn't taking as long as I expected though it was still a long drive. No amount of music was going to keep me awake after being on the road for over fourteen hours. It had also been a long time since I'd taken any painkillers for my ankle and I was starting to feel it.

I pulled into the parking lot of a motel and ran my hands over my face. The neon lights of the motel sign illuminated the car and made the inside look red.

I wasn't sure what was going to happen once I made it home. No one was waiting for me. I wondered if anyone missed me while I was gone or was concerned about my well-being. Clearly, if my aunt Ren thought I was dead enough to kill herself, everyone else probably thought the same.

I let out a shaky breath and got out of the car. I gathered my clothes from the passenger seat and headed toward the lobby so I could get a room key.

The guy at the front desk looked to be in his forties. He had a comeover that looked like a desperate attempt to stop his male-patterned baldness from showing. He had a red sweater on and khaki pants and was reading a magazine on losing weight.

I held my change of clothes tight to my chest as I approached. "Hi, can I get a room for the night?"

He looked up at me and raised his eyebrows. "Are you alone?"

"What does that matter?"

He pursed his lips. "Well, it costs more if it's more than just you staying in the room."

"I just need a room for myself." I knew better than to go around telling people I was traveling alone. But he didn't seem like he was going to budge until I told him.

"What's a girl like you doing out this late at night alone?"

"I'm meeting a friend in the morning. She lives a few minutes away."

"You couldn't stay with her?"

"Do you want my business? I could go to the other motel in town. I'm sure they would appreciate an extra customer this time of year."

He looked at me for a second before he turned to his computer monitor. "Card, please."

I passed the card over and held my breath as he entered the information into his system.

"Christian Dawson?"

I plastered a fake smile on my face. "He's my fiance."

"Is he aware that you're using his card?"

"He insisted. I'm perfectly fine with using my own money but he wanted to take care of me. Even though he isn't here with me."

The man nodded and continued typing. "That's quite nice of him. Most men aren't like that anymore."

"It's a shame they aren't."

He passed the card back. "Your name?"

"Lyla. Lyla Evans. Soon to be Dawson."

"How long will you be staying?"

"Just for this evening. Heidi and I will be heading to the beach tomorrow."

He nodded and turned to his left. He grabbed a key from where it hung on the wall and handed it to me. "Room 12. If you need anything, either call me or walk down and I'll make sure it gets taken care of."

I nodded as I took the key. "Thank you." I turned away from him and headed out of the lobby. I went to the room marked '12' and unlocked the door. I quickly went inside and locked the door once more.

I took in the room. It was a basic room with a queen-sized bed in the middle of the room. Across from the bed was a dresser with a TV on top. On the other side of the room was a door that lead to a bathroom. It wasn't great but it would do for the night.

I set my change of clothes on the bed and walked to the bathroom. After driving for so long, a shower sounded really nice. I knew it would be just what I needed to relax and unwind.

I walked over to the shower and turned on the hot water. As I started taking my clothes off, I looked down at my ankle and cursed to myself. I'd forgotten about my ankle brace.

If I'd never met Christian, I wouldn't have had to deal with any injuries. I wouldn't have struggled with walking and pain and limitations. I wouldn't have lost my aunt because she thought I was dead.

I grabbed the trash can and pulled the plastic bag out. I put my leg into the bag and tied it tight around my calf. I stepped into the shower and tried to keep my leg out of the shower and away from the water.

I stayed in the shower for a while. The hot water felt good on my back and my shoulders. The longer I stayed in one position, the more it felt like a massage. I was so busy relaxing that I never heard the door open. I didn't hear anyone enter the room and make their way to the bathroom. I didn't even notice the shower curtain as it was pushed aside.

I only noticed when a hand covered my mouth and a sweet scent filled my nose. I reached up and felt a muscular hand on my face, an arm wrapped around my neck. I was trapped and had no way of getting free.

My vision began to cloud and I couldn't think straight enough to get myself out of the horrible situation I was in.

I let myself close my eyes, hoping that if I was going to die, it would be quick and painless.