His Desert Rose Read Free

said.
    “Thank you1 for coming,” Renee said. “This is Nicole a longtime family friend. And Nicole this is Antonio also a longtime family friend.”
    Nicole and Antonio exchanged greetings.
    Renee gave him a quick run-down of the events that had transpired since they last talked.
    “Jasmine is in a room where she is recovering. She made it through a three hour surgery, and several hours of observation. Trenton Blake-Moore and his team of Inactive Marines were here running interference at Jasmine’s request, yet the FBI is keeping a strong presence until she leaves the hospital. It looks like she will make a full recovery after she has some physical therapy,”  Renee finished.
    “And how are you, holding up?” Antonio asked.
    “I am a little exhausted, but I can handle it,” Renee advised.
    Nicole stepped in, “Why don’t you take her back to Blake-Moore Estates? She will need to get some rest, since she will be running back and forth from the girls and Jasmine. Her mind and body will need a break at some point. I will take this watch,” Nicole finished.
    “Are you sure Nicole?” Renee asked.
    “Yes, go,” Nicole encouraged.
    “Thank you again,” Renee said as she hugged Nicole again.
    Before she broke her embrace Nicole whispered, “Remember what I said.”
    Renee blushed and followed Antonio out of the hospital into the car park. As soon as people began to recognize her, she and Antonio were surrounded. Microphones and cameras were being shoved in her face. All she would say as Antonio pushed them through the crowd was, “No comment.”
    When Renee arrived at Blake-Moore Estates, she had Antonio punch in the code to the gated estate. She went in and checked on the girls who were asleep in one of the guest rooms. She spoke to Eleanor and Jacob Blake-Moore briefly before she was handed the key to a villa style home on the property. Renee thanked them for everything and retreated to the villa with Antonio.
    The pantry and the refrigerator had been stocked for her stay, and for that she was grateful. She had everything but clothing. Oh how she longed to wash the day away. Her feet hurt from being in her high heels too long, and she sincerely was ready to be out of her dress.
    Antonio lugged in his suitcase and laptop from the car.
    “I will seek an alternative place for lodging tomorrow,” Antonio said.
    “Oh, don’t be silly. There is more than enough room for the both us. To be honest, I’m not sure that I’m ready to be alone. Again, thank you so much for coming at a drop of a dime,” Renee said sincerely.
    “My family and I care deeply for you and your family. You said you needed me, so here I am. You would do the same for me,” Antonio finished.
    “You are right, I would help you and your family in any way that I could. Now seemed like a good a time as ever,” Renee continued, “I’m sorry for cutting you off when I first got sick. It was embarrassing and I didn’t want you to see me at my lowest.”
    Antonio stopped unpacking his things and looked at her. “Renee, I was angry at you for a long time about that. I wanted to be there for you and you wouldn’t let me. I thought we were more than just family connected friends. I could have handled you at your lowest, but you didn’t trust me enough to allow it,” Antonio finished.
    “I’m sorry,” Renee said again.
    Antonio started back unpacking his things avoiding eye contact. Renee walked over and grabbed his white long sleeved button down dress shirt. Then teasingly, she threw it over her shoulder. “Can I borrow this please?”
    “You have it now,” Antonio responded.
    Renee went into the bathroom and took off her clothes. She took her hair out of the ponytail and ran her fingers through her hair. She grabbed a shower cap and covered her loose curls.
    She stood under the spray of the water and allowed it to spray over her face, neck and onward. She used the bar soap and lathered her body. The warm water helped to release