“I’m just saying, I would have. That’s who I am.”
There was a buffet table near the bar, and she sat on top of it, her legs swinging as she looked around the room. “This is over-the-top nice, but why a hotel? Do you not live in LA, or … is there a reason you didn’t want me at your place?” Her eyes returned to me and widened. “You’re not married, are you?”
“No.” I let go of the door, which closed, and made my way inside, standing near the chair that held her bag. “There’s no woman in my life. I just needed a break from my house.” I pulled at my collar; even though the top of my shirt was unbuttoned, I felt like it was choking me. “I don’t know if that even makes sense.”
She let out a long exhale. “I needed a break from mine too. And don’t worry, I’m also single.”
“Sounds like we’re both running away from home.”
“You ran. I just followed you here. And this”—her gaze moved around the large suite again—“is nicer than any room or even bedroom I’ve ever been in. I’m afraid to know how much this cost.”
There was a table beside the chair, and I picked up her room key. “For you. I got you a room on a different floor. That gives you space and privacy. Feel free to order breakfast before you leave and take your time in the morning, you have late checkout, so there’s no reason to rush out.”
“You really want to feed me, don’t you, Whiskey35?”
I chuckled as I put the key back down.
I didn’t want to tell her that for over fifteen years, that was all I’d been doing. I also didn’t want to mention how tiny she was and how badly I wanted to put food in her body. She didn’t have the muscles of a runner or someone who avidly worked out. So, her size was either due to an incredibly fast metabolism or a much darker situation.
I treaded carefully and said, “If you’re not hungry, don’t order anything. I just wanted you to know it was an option.”
“I appreciate that.” Her stare moved down the front of me. “You’re doing all these things for me. My own room … food.” She rubbed her lips together. “What can I do for you?”
“Sky, you’re already doing it.”
“How?”
“You’re here. You’re making it so I don’t have to be alone.” I didn’t realize my head had dropped until the carpet became my focus. “You’re the escape I need.” When I glanced back up, I admitted, “There’s nothing in my head right now except you. I haven’t been able to say that in a long time.”
“Everything you just said?” She pointed at her chest. “Metoo.” Her legs stopped swinging and stilled. “I was a little nervous about coming here and how it would all play out, so when you answered the door and called me beautiful, I couldn’t think straight. What I wanted to say was that you also look much more handsome in person than in your Hooked pic. Don’t get me wrong, the pic was hot.” She pushed her hair off her shoulders. “But, Whiskey—I’m ditching the 35, just so you know—you’re way sexier than that photo.”
“Yeah?” I gripped the back of the chair, feeling her gaze cover me, and laughed.
“Yeah. You’re hot in a growly kinda way.”
“Growly? I have no idea what that means.”
“Well, first off, you’re twice the size of me. As a petite girlie, thinking from a sexy standpoint, I like the thought of that. A lot.” Her cheeks blushed.
“You’re flirting with me …”
She was doing a terrible job at hiding her smile, and I knew that was the point.
“I guess I am.”
“Keep going.”
“You’ve got this facial hair that gives offI don’t give a fuckvibes.”
I chuckled again. “You’re right, I don’t.”
“So, when you combine the full beard and the size of your body and your height, you’re like a mix between a country rock singer, who growls out his lyrics, and a football player, who no one wants to go up against because you would destroy them.”
“This keeps getting more interesting.”
She puckered her lips. “And those eyes—it should be illegal to have ones that pretty. Your green changes depending on what you’re wearing, doesn’t it?”
“It does.”
