Chapter 403
Red wine spread into a damp, cold stain on her skirt.
The sticky sensation clung tightly to her skin.
Anna Ross frowned and lifted the hem of her dress.
She decided to return to her room to change first.
The elevator mirror reflected her slightly pale face.
As the metal doors slid open and shut, she cast one last glance toward the corner of the lobby.
The waiter was hanging his head, being reprimanded.
His shoulders slumped in a defeated curve.
The sensor-activated door to the Presidential Suite slid open silently.
A waterfall of warm golden light poured out.
The crystal chandelier refracted scattered spots of light.
The carpet softly swallowed the sound of her footsteps.
She pushed open the carved door to the walk-in closet.
Her fingertips had just touched the zipper.
A door hinge creaked suddenly behind her.
Adrian Sinclair stood at the entrance, holding a paper bag.
His gaze felt tangible against her bare back.
Anna spun around abruptly.
Flustered, she grabbed a shirt to cover herself.
"Get out!"
The tips of her ears burned bright red.
Her voice trembled uncontrollably.
Instead, he closed the door behind him.
The paper bag was placed on the console table.
"If it had been someone else who came in,"
His voice was low and cold.
"What were you going to do?"
Anna bit her lip and reached for her dress.
The sound of fabric rustling was unusually clear in the silence.
He suddenly took two steps forward.
He picked up the jacket that had slipped to the floor and handed it to her.
"The medicine is in the bag."
He turned, stirring a slight current of air.
"Remember to disinfect the broken skin on your ankle."
The lock clicked shut.
Anna stared blankly at the brown paper bag.
Next to the antiseptic lotion lay a box of Band-Aids.
The edges were printed with faint cherry blossom patterns.
She curled up on the velvet stool applying the medicine.
She hissed lightly as the cotton swab touched the wound.
The sound of keyboard typing came from outside the door.
It was intermittent but comforting.
When she pushed the door open,
Adrian was frowning at his computer screen.
His fingers slid quickly across the touchpad.
"The medicine works well."
Her voice was as light as a feather.
"Thank you."
He pressed the enter key.
The blue light from the screen illuminated his profile.
"Remember to lock the door next time."