“But why not now?”I ask.
“We’re closed.But I open early tomorrow.”She glances at the street.“There are hotels with vacancies across therue.After a good night’s sleep, I promise I’ll sell to you.”
My throat goes dry at the thought of staying in a Parisian hotel.With Luther Westbrook.
Before we can react, the door shuts.So much for our mission.Luther awkwardly puts his hands in his pockets.“Guess we should like…walk back to the metro.”
He’s so quick to dismiss staying in a hotel with me that it hurts.But on the other hand, this was never meant to be a sexy sleepover mission.Though, if he wanted to share a bed…
“I suppose so.Staying in a hotel is absurd, right?”I shrug and look up.“It’s not like it’s raining or something.”As soon as I say it, droplets land on my face.
When I look at Luther in alarm, I open my mouth, but thunder cracks around us.In seconds, the rain starts to pour down.
He frowns at me, but I shrug.“I didn’t summon this!”
I laugh at the absurdity of it all, then turn to the window of the antique shop.The pipe-smoking woman is closing the curtain, but not before shooting us a knowing grin.
Okay, there’s too much to take in now.Luther raises his trench coat over both of us.When I turn to my left, the only thing visible in the downpour is a bright sign across the street.
The hotel has a vacancy.
Luther and I share a light dinner in the hotel lobby.We talk about our favorite foods and how the Union cafeteria, while diverse, can never top the real deal.Afterwards, he casually suggests that we listen to the pipe-smoking woman and stay the night.I try not to agree too eagerly, but we share a smile after Luther books us an available room.
And that’s how Luther Westbrook and I end up sleeping in the same room.I was hoping it would be an “only one bed” situation like a classic romance book, but sadly, we’re in two twin beds.Still, the room feels so small, and the three feet between our mattresses can easily be remedied.The things we could do if we shared a bed…
But does he want me?He’s barely looked me in the eye since we took turns showering and cleaning up.I’m dressed down to my boxer briefs, lounging under the covers as I wait for him to come out of the bathroom.Sure, I could have conjured pajamas, but that’s a huge waste of reserve magic, a terrible, terrible idea.
When Luther walks out, I grin at him, but he avoids my gaze.He looks bloody fit in his black tank top and white boxer shorts, and my mouth waters.In seconds, he shuts off the one light.Seriously, is he not interested in my bare chest, exposed and all for him?
“We gotta hit up the shop early tomorrow,” he says, climbing into bed.“So let’s get some rest.”
“Uh, sure,” I mutter.
“Goodnight, Devries.”
I sigh in disappointment.“Goodnight, Westbrook.”
Well, that settles it.We’re literally sleeping in the city of love, the Union isn’t tracking us, no monsters are rapping at our door, and Luther still doesn’t want to take advantage of this moment.I guess that kiss really meant nothing.
Not even ten seconds of shut-eye pass before I hear him pull the covers back with force.After opening my eyes and adjusting to the dark, I witness Luther standing in the space between our beds.Lightning cracks outside, bathing him in light for a brief moment.His shadowy silhouette looks sexy, but he radiates frustration.
“Westbrook…what?”I murmur.
“I…I just…I can’t believe you, Devries!”he says through gritted teeth.
“What?”I sit up, my heart rate picking up in shock and confusion.
“You made us sleep here!”
“What?!”I repeat, bolting off the bed.Now we’re standing in front of each other, inches apart.“What are you bloody on about, Westbrook?”
“You know what I’m on about!You’re the reason we’re stuck in this Paris hotel room.”He taps my bare chest, but I’m not budging.
“Me?!”Anger rises in my throat.“I don’t control the weather!You want to walk over a mile to the metro in this storm, be my guest.But you paid for this room.”
“Yeah, because you kept bringing this up.How it makes sense to wait here overnight for the mission.”
“And you agreed!”Our voices are rising now, and all of Paris might hear one of our classic shouting matches.
