She tries to rush away, but it’s not happening in her heels.
“I have no idea who that is,” I say, my pulse racing.
He has stubble—like the well-cut tux, perfectly styled hair, Rolex watch and memories of getting myself off from dry humping with him aren’t enough. Just a barely noticeable coating of stubble, the same salt-and-pepper shade as his hair.
Setting something down on the love seat’s empty spot, he says, “Room 511. I’m going there now on the stairs. Wait five minutes and take the elevator.”
I’m sweating. Just from his closeness and his voice. I can’t even come up with an answer—not that he would have been around to hear it. He told me what to do and then walked away, and my lady bits aren’t mad about it.
How dare he show up after almost a week and slip me a room key? I hate how eager I am to run to him. He said he thinks about me all the time, but he sure as hell hasn’t thought about me since we stayed up making out and dry fucking until we had to pack and leave the hotel for our flight.
I text Blair that I’ll meet up with her later. Palming the room key, I stand and smooth the front of my dress, trying to look like a boss as I walk across the lobby to the elevator.
I definitely don’t feel like a boss. More like a gullible fool. If Noel thinks he’s getting a quick fuck out of me, he’s going to be disappointed.
The elevator is empty, so I take it to the fifth floor alone and walk to the room. Part of me wants to go back to the event and leave him there waiting.
My traitorous body won’t let me, though. Even now, I crave him. With a sigh, I tap the key card to the reader, the light turning green.
He’s standing at the foot of the king-size bed, facing me. And he’s still fully clothed, so maybe he doesn’t want sex. Maybe this is going to be the “I made a huge mistake” conversation.
“God, you look incredible.” He drags his gaze down my body and back up to my face. “I can’t be in the same room with you in that dress and not?—”
“No.” I cross my arms and glare at him.
His shoulders drop a notch. “I’m sorry for the lack of communication, Jules. There’s been a lot going on with Audra, but that’s no excuse.”
“You made me feel like a dirty mistake. Not a word. Not even a text.”
He nods slightly, his expression sheepish. “My phone is work issued. HR reviews the bills, and I didn’t want to risk calling or texting.”
Tears form in my eyes. “That’s nice, Noel. You could text hookers, but not me.”
His brow furrows. “That’s not fair. I’m not the only one who would get fired.”
“I’d get fired?” My anger turns into worry.
“It would be up to Deb.”
I scoff and put a palm up. “Wait a minute. You’re in a higher position than I am, and I’m the one who would get in trouble?”
“There’s nothing in my contract about it, but there’s something in yours.”
“Of course,” I mutter, disgusted.
He walks over to me. “It’s not fair, and I’m the first to admit that. I could have found a way to reach out to you, but I didn’t. I’m sorry. The truth is, you caught me off guard. I’ve spent a few days thinking about it.”
I balk. “I caught you off guard? When you asked me to stay in your room? Or wait, you told me I was. I didn’t get a choice.”
A smile tugs on the corners of his lips. “Easy, tiger. That’s not what I meant. You caught me off guard the moment I met you. I had a plan, and I was never letting another woman get under my skin. But you ...” He cups my cheek. “You’reeverywhere. When I wake up in the morning, when I’m in the shower, when I’m supposed to be thinking about hockey—you’re on my mind all the time.”
I lean slightly into his touch, relief coursing through me. It’s not just me who’s a mess over this. He is, too.
He moves closer to me, his breath brushing over my lips. “I guess I’m old-fashioned. I think some conversations need to be face to face.”
“I thought you regretted it.” My voice betrays how hurt I’ve been feeling.
“No. When I say something, I mean it, Jules. I told you I wouldn’t. I tried to fight it, but every time I saw Isaac flirting with you, I wanted to beat him bloody with a hockey stick.”
