So, it’s confirmed, she does know. They do this together. But it sounds like it was his first time or something new to them.
I have a mile wide smile at his confession. People like them are exactly why I love staying in places like this.
I don’t really have to give Sally anything, but I need to find out how many bunks are rented out. So, reluctantly I step away and head down the stairs to the front desk. Sally is sitting behind it, with her hand over her mouth completely focused on her kindle.
“Hey, Sally.” I rap my knuckles on the desk to get her attention.
She glances up at me, then at the clock showing it’s well after midnight, then back at me. “Dane, is everything okay?”
“Of course, it always is.” I beam back a smile as I lean in closer. “I just wanted to ask if all the bunks were reserved already for the week?” I pause, realizing I’m tiptoeing the line of crazy right now.
“Tonight and tomorrow, it’s just you and the other couple that checked in just a short while ago. Although, that could change since we offer walk-ins.” She taps on her keyboard, then moves the mouse. “After that all the beds are booked out for the rest of the week,” she adds, and I can’t help but screw up my face and cringe.
I suck in a deep breath.
“So, Sally. I’m really not feeling a crowd this time around. I’d like to pay you double what the others are paying for all the beds for the rest of the week…” I pause. “If you would be so kind to block it out for walk-ins and cancel anyone else that’s coming.”
Her brows pinch together as if trying to absorb the information and understand my psychosis.
“Why don’t you just go to a hotel and get a room with that money?” she asks, and not in a rude, nefarious way. In more of a,are you out of your mind, way.
“I love this place, the location is perfect. And you know Paris hotels, all the good rooms are almost always taken,” I spit out easily because both are very true.
She pauses for a moment, taps on her computer, then slides her eyes my way
“What are you up to Mr. Campbell?” she asks in a playful suspicion.
I relent because she’s totally on to me.
“I have the rest of the week until I fly home before I start my new job and I really don’t want to deal with the plethora of random personalities that are checking in this week. I’ll pay you double for every bed, for the rest of the week,andI’ll pay for a hotel room for anyone that you have to cancel.” I pull out my credit card, laying it on her desk as I one finger push it toward her. “Whatever that total is, double it again and pay yourself…for your discretion.”
Her eyes widen as she peers up at me, then around the room, as if she wonders if my request is some kind of test.
“So, let me understand,” she says in what I imagine is her mom voice. “You want me to cancel on everyone that has a reservation through the remainder of your stay, block out any further rentals, and not tell anyone about it?”
I really have lost my mind.
Giving her my most charming smile. “Can I cover your quarterly bonus, too?”
She huffs out a long breath, shaking her head with a tiny little smirk as she returns to clicking on her mouse, then taps her keyboard a couple times.
“I’ll block it out for the next four days. You’re last night here though, I can’t do anything about, there’s a large group coming and it’s?—”
“Deal,” I spit out, interrupting her. I’ll take four days over nothing.
“Oh, Dane, I think you might be a little crazy.” She grabs my credit card, tapping a few more strokes on her keyboard, then swipes it through.
If this is what crazy feels like, I’m all in.
8
ETHAN
It was surprisingly easy to share what happened at the club with Hannah. I mean, I’ve always been able to talk about everything with her, but this is different. The deep desire I’ve been craving. The questionable thoughts I’ve had about my sexuality.
I never want her to think it has anything to do with her or something that she’s not providing me. She’s perfect. More than I deserve. The fact that she’s now encouraging this is beyond my wildest dreams.
Now, I just need to get past my own mental hurdles.
