“Not here though.”I sniffle loudly, so many emotions swirling inside of me right now that I don’t know which one to deal with first.I yank open drawers in my desk until I find a pack of tissues, pull several out of the package, then use them to wipe under my eyes.
“Okay.”His raspy voice sounds just a few feet from me, causing me to shift my gaze up to him.
I should have known.The minute I looked at his eyes.They are all I ever see.They’re squinting at me now, assessing me with concern.Which is warranted.I am acting a little like a crazy person.
“Let me get a key to a room that’s free.”I pull my purse from under my desk then stand.“We’ll have more privacy that way.”
“I have a room.”He states firmly.“We can go there.”
I shake my head as I walk past him, motioning for him to follow me.“I’d rather not if that’s okay.”
“Whatever.”He mumbles as he trails behind.“Doesn’t really seem like I have much of a say in this.”
I pause in the hallway, twisting to face him.“I know this is strange.I promise I’ll explain everything.Just, please, give me a little grace here.”
His lips purse in a tight line, but he nods his acceptance at my plea.“Fine.”
I stop in front of the door that opens into the check-in area.“You can wait here if you want.This will only take a second, and I understand now why you want to keep a low profile.”
“Sure.”He tips his forehead in acknowledgement.“Appreciate that.”
“I’ll be right back.”I assure him before pulling the door open to walk through.
I keep my head down, moving directly to one of the computers, working quickly to find an available room.I secure it for myself, process the key, and without a word to anyone, slip back through the door to find Luc leaning against the wall.
His sunglasses are hanging from the collar of his shirt, his hands tucked into his pockets, one booted foot crossed over the other.He’s turned his cap around so that the bill is facing backwards, tufts of his brown hair curling out from under the rim.
I didn’t take the time to absorb anything about him earlier, but he’s stunning.It’s when I shift my gaze back up to his eyes that I almost suffocate on the breath I inhale.I’ve wondered about those eyes for so damn long.I know I’m staring but I can’t seem to make myself look away.
“See something you like, Kitten?”He practically growls, and something about the way he says it causes my skin to break out in goosebumps, the hairs on the back of my neck rising.
“It’s Lily.”I retort, my voice a little shaky, even though I’m attempting to appear unaffected.
“Yeah, I know.”He scoffs as he pushes himself off the wall.“I’m not the one who doesn’t remember.”
I close my eyes for a brief second, the implications of what’s about to happen hitting me like a tsunami.Nothing will ever be the same after this.I take a deep breath, steel my spine, and force my feet to move.“There’s an elevator down here we can use.”
I sigh in relief when his heavy footsteps sound behind me, my pulse misfiring when he’s suddenly beside me, matching my stride.He keeps looking over at me, contempt clearly displayed in his features.I know what I’m going to tell him is only going to increase those feelings ten-fold.
We reach the elevator, and I press the button to call it.When the doors slide open, we step inside, and I swipe the room key over the access reader, before selecting twenty-three.
“Are you fucking kidding me?”He chuffs loudly.
My eyebrows squish together as I swing my gaze to him.“What?”
“You expect me to believe that’s a coincidence?”His long finger points to the number I pressed.
I assess where he’s indicating, then glare over at him.“I have absolutely no idea what you’re referring to.”
“This just keeps getting better and better.”He grumbles, his hand gripping the back of his neck as he shoots daggers toward the ceiling.
If he only knew how frustrating this was for me as well.Not having a single clue what he keeps making references to.Knowing this man holds the answers to things I didn’t think I would ever know.He has so much more power over me than he even could guess.
“I’ll explain everything.”I promise again.
“Only reason I’m still here.”He declares, one hand against the now open elevator door, as he motions for me to proceed.
I lead us to the room I procured, 2320.It’s one of our suites, but it was empty, and I figured having a table and chairs, or at least any other space besides a bedroom, would be better.
