To Have and To Hold

Chapter 45

With the same vehemence he had used to grab her, he suddenly pulled back, holding her from him at arm's length, glowering down at her.

"Do you have any idea what horrific agony you just put me through?" His eyes were dark and stormy.

What in the world was he so mad about?

"By threatening to break your door in?"

A small smile escaped. "Silly. No, by not answering when I call you. You have no idea, Lisa. I already thought you were in some sort of alien detention center again. Pumped full of seaweed and nasty tonics. Having organs harvested or something..."

The barrage of his exaggerations made her laugh.

"Excuse me... Have you seen how many missed calls you had from me in the past days? How many messages? From me and from your family?"

"My family? What did they do now? Why can't they just leave me the hell alone? Why do they involve you when..."

"Michael- your mother said she cannot reach you. Was I supposed to ignore that?"

Michael shut up and chewed on the inside of his cheek. "I talked to her today. I was upset...I...it..."

His contrite demeanor reminded her of a little boy trying desperately to make things right. No doubt Katherine made it clear she hated when he was out of her reach. She didn't need to add her lecture.

"Michael, I know you must have been upset. I'm so horribly sorry about Diana...I can't even begin to imagine how you must feel." Her voice softened, giving I'm a place to fall.

His eyes filled with tears, and he turned and walked into the suite. All bravado left and he seemed deflated.

Damn! She didn't want to upset him again. This was all still so very fresh for him.

"Do you want something to drink? You must be tired. When did you get in?" His voice was choked, and she could tell he was trying hard to regain his composure as he went over to a kitchen area. For the first time, Lisa looked around. Man-this must be the biggest hotel suite she had ever seen. And she had seen some doozies.

"I don't know. Just now. I came straight over. So, I guess you decided to stay here at the George V after all, and not rent an apartment."

"Yeah. It's easier. Water? Something stronger?" He reached for the vodka bottle.

"No, water is fine. It's too early to drink here...I think. I kinda lost track of time."

Michael turned and looked at her. "It's early my time, but not your time. Hey- are you sick? You look like you lost weight."

"Isn't that my line?"

Michael grabbed a bottle of water and approached her, his eyes now scanning her inquisitively.

"Very funny. Here. You don't look well. You're pale. Seriously, Are you sick again? Don't you dare keep stuff from me. You know I always find out, and I can't take any more bad news."

Lisa took the bottle and averted her gaze, dropping herself down into the huge sofa. Talk about keeping things from him...

Oh, Michael, you have no idea what's about to hit you...and I have no clue how to avoid the impact.

Drinking kept her from answering, so she about drowned herself. Michael sat down next to her, his eyes still glued to hers, peppering her with wordless questions.

"Can you stop staring at me, please? You're freaking me out." She put the empty bottle on the coffee table. Gosh, he could be so freaking unnerving! And intuitive...