A Bride Worth Fighting For Read Online Free PDF Page A

name tag. “Thank you, Dominique.”
    “Myron,” the clerk corrected.
    “Oh, but—never mind.” Gwen glanced behind her. Tucker and Cemil had just entered the lodge. Lowering her voice, she spoke quickly. “Is there an extra charge for the additional room? I’d like to put it on my credit card.”
    Hopefully, her credit limit could handle the cost. She didn’t think she carried around debt and lived beyond her means, but she couldn’t be sure. Discovering she had a purse and cards that confirmed her identity had been enough comfort to carry her through the hospital discharge.
    “It’s all taken care of,” Myron assured her, sliding a key across the counter. “Your initial fee took into account all potential upgrades. All classes and amenities are included. Don’t worry about a thing, and enjoy your stay.”
    “Thanks. I’ll try.” Her head started pulsing again, as her burst of initial excitement evaporated. Or maybe the relaxing effects of the drink from the boat had worn off. She needed stronger medication than cider if she had any hope of healing.
     
    The exotic plants, some so rare he’d only seen in pictures, some he’d never seen in his life, had distracted Tucker from the woman under his care. Now she crossed the expansive lobby, heading toward what must be the guest rooms.
    “Gwen, wait.”
    If she heard him, she didn’t glance back as she entered an open elevator.
    “Check in first, please,” Cemil said, gesturing toward the front desk.
    The elevator doors closed, and Tucker sighed. She’d be all right without him. She was a grown woman, not a child. But since she’d awoken from the coma, she seemed so fragile and in need of protection, and the perception had only increased since they’d embarked on their trip.
    Apart from her healing, he needed to be with her to figure out her role in Darlene’s latest scheme. A week no longer seemed enough time to discover all her secrets. After giving his name to the check-in clerk, he tapped his foot while she took her sweet time giving him his room assignment.
    If he had his choice, he’d prefer to sleep under the stars. In fact, he couldn’t have cared less about the formality of accommodations. He wouldn’t spend any time in his room when he could be outside studying the plants instead.
    But he needed to find Gwen’s room and check on her first. Clutching his key, he took the elevator to the third floor. The hall was empty, and all the doors were closed, giving him no clue which room belonged to her. He should have asked before he walked away from the desk. Since he hadn’t, he went to his room. He’d call the front desk to connect him to her.
    As soon as he opened the door, a pungent smell of incense hit his face. Yuck. Give him the natural scent of blooming flowers and a fresh breeze, not this cloying haze. He needed to get rid of the stench and open a window to air out the place. He crossed the room to the smoldering bowl, the haze in the room filling his brain with a weird mental fog.

Chapter Four
     
    “Geez, Sage, how much did you drug him?”
    “I fixed the appropriate strength, so normal breathing from across the room would allow him to nap long enough for the portal to open and close again. I didn’t expect him to inhale straight from the bowl.”
    Drugs? Portal? Tucker struggled to open his eyes. His head swam. He hadn’t had a hangover this bad since college. A huge burly guy and a wispy blonde woman stood over him. He blinked until he saw only one of each of them. “What’s going on?”
    “It’s dinnertime,” the guy said. “All guests are required to eat in the dining room. I’m Rekkus, head of security for the Wiccan Haus. I have the dubious honor of throwing you over my shoulder and hauling you down the hall if you refuse.”
    He sat up, his muscles protesting. No wonder. He’d either fallen asleep or passed out on the hardwood floor. The incense. Damn. He needed to get out of this place and sleep under the stars.