Chapter Nineteen
Quinn
When I wake up the next morning, I find a surprise on my nightstand. At some point during the night, someone snuck into my room and left a simplified, teeny-tiny cell phone. It can’t call out, and it refuses to connect to the internet, but I’m pleased to learn that it’s capable of texting the only contact in the device.
Green Guy.
I feel like a giddy schoolgirl as I flop back on the pillows and read the first note from him.
I want to see you again.
I kick my feet and squeal. My brain tries to conjure images of us on our wedding day, but all I see is a hulking green man in a tux. If I want to marry him, he can’t stay hidden forever. My fingers type out a reply, but my brain won’t let me send it.
I want to see you again too. Without the mask.
I nibble my bottom lip and consider what I’m asking. Pressuring the guy isn’t a very good look, and it makes me seem superficial. Truth be told, I don’t give a shit what he looks like. If he’s a disfigured mess beneath all that fabric, it won’t bother me a bit. When I’m with him, it just feels right. The sex, at least. We can work on the actual connection later.
Not wanting to scare him off, I delete the message and type something else.
How? And when? I always have my bodyguard attached to my hip.
My heart skips a beat when the bubbles pop up on the bottom of the screen. Somewhere in this hotel, maybe even just a few doors down, my crush is doing exactly what I am. He’s hovering over a phone and waiting for a reply. It’s torturously romantic.
At tonight’s exhibition, exit the circus tent when the first act ends. I’ll find you.
I flip the television to the day’s itinerary. There are several events going on this morning, including another coaster demonstration before lunch, followed by a few events scattered around the park afterward. Dinner is set in the grand dining hall after a show in the circus tent. Since I’m forced to take my meals at the hotel now, sneaking away shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ll just say I’m heading back to eat. I’ve lost Aven once before, and I can do it again.
See you tonight.
With a smile, I stretch and climb out of bed. This is going to be a good day. Not even Aven can dampen my good mood when he knocks on my door a few minutes later.
He’s dressed in a pale-green t-shirt that brings out the golden flecks in his dark eyes. I hate the way it hugs his muscles. Also, I hate that I’m still so attracted to him when I should be focused on the man who actually wants me.
I should also be thinking about the stalker—you know, the whole reason I’m on this impromptu vacation—but I can’t seem to think of anything other than exploring this dark fantasy. If I want to earn that money, I’ll need to buckle down.
I let Aven into my room, and he takes a seat on the chair in the corner as I finish brushing my teeth.
“What’s the plan for the day?” he asks.
I rinse my mouth and come around the corner, pulling my hair into a high ponytail. “Are you giving me carte blanche?”
“Within reason.”
I study the television again. “Let’s do the coaster demonstration. We missed it the other day, and I’m curious to see what it’s all about.”
“You dinnae get enough from the simulation?”
My cheeks blaze red. I’d almost forgotten about that simulation...and the kiss. Reminders about my crush on Aven are the last things I need right now. My pussy and I are firmly in camp Green Guy.
Right?
Right.
I wave my hand through the air. “Or we can do something else. Doesn’t matter to me.”
He nods his head and sits forward with his elbows on his knees. “Aye, we could do whatever you’d like. If that’s the coaster demonstration, then that’s what we’ll do. But I’ve seen where your mouth has been, so don’t expect a kiss.”
Pushing my arms into a light jacket, I roll my eyes and head for the door. These lips are reserved for the man in green.
