A valet opened my door. I froze just inside the lobby—marble floors, massive crystal chandeliers, a sweeping double staircase that belonged in a movie. Fresh roses spilled from arrangements on every surface, their scent thick and sweet. Heart-shaped balloons clustered in every corner. Red velvet bows tied around marble columns. A life-sized cupid statue near the entrance.
I tugged at my sweater, suddenly hyperaware of my worn jeans.
Hunter strode to check-in like he owned the place. "Reservation under Massey. Hunter."
The woman behind the counter smiled warmly. "Yes, Mr. Massey. The Bluebonnet Suite. Sitting area, spa bathroom. Checked in for Friday and Saturday night, checkout Sunday morning."
Hunter handed over his card without blinking.
We followed the bellhop to the elevator and down a quiet hallway. He opened the door to the Bluebonnet Suite with a flourish.
I stepped inside and stopped dead.
One bed.
One massive king-sized bed that seemed to take up half the suite.
My pulse spiked. A job. This was a job. With clearly defined boundaries I needed to maintain.
"So," Hunter said behind me. "About that—"
"You booked one bed on purpose."
"Would I do that?"
"Yes."
The corner of his mouth lifted. "Okay, you're right. But look—" He gestured at the elegant couch by the window. Maybe four feet long. "I can sleep there. I've crashed in worse places."
I glanced around the suite. Rose petals scattered artfully across white bedding. Approximately forty decorative pillows arranged in a perfect heart shape. Crystal vases with flowers on each nightstand. The tufted white velvet headboard screamed romance. The hotel had gone all-in on the Valentine's theme.
"You're six-two," I said, dragging my attention back to him. "You'd wake up folded like a lawn chair."
"I'm flexible."
"Hunter." I spun to face him, hands on my hips. "You're paying me for this charade. I'm not making you sleep on furniture designed for show, not function. That bed is huge. We can share. Just stay on your side."
"What if I'm a cuddler?"
"Are you?"
"No idea. Never shared a bed platonically before."
"Well, you're about to find out. Stay on your side or I'm taking my money and going home."
He held up both hands in surrender. "Your side, my side, invisible line down the middle. Got it."
"Good."
"Although—" His grin widened. "For the record, you're incredibly hot when you're bossy."
Heat flooded my face. "Bathroom. Now. I'm getting ready first."
I took my garment bag and escaped before he could see how red I'd turned.
The bathroom was white marble with gold fixtures. Soaking tub that could fit three people. Walk-in shower with more settings than my car dashboard. I stared at my reflection in the gilded mirror. What was I doing? This world wasn't mine. But for one weekend, I could pretend.
When I came out five minutes later, Hunter had set his overnight bag on the dresser and was hanging his suit in the closet. We both paused, the reality of sharing this space for two nights suddenly very real.
