Finally.
Fern steps into the hallway outside the dining room.
I catch up with her easily. “Hey.”
“Hey,” she says with a tired smile. “Are you off the clock now too?”
“Yep, I’m all yours now.”
Her real smile appears instantly, making my chest feel lighter.
“You survived dinner,” I say.
She laughs softly. “Barely.”
“You didn’t sit down once.”
“I’m working.”
“You should’ve eaten.”
“I grabbed a roll.”
I shake my head. “You’re unbelievable.”
She tilts her head. “Is that a compliment?”
“Absolutely.”
The elevator doors open, and we step inside. The ride up is quiet, but not uncomfortable. Just… charged.
When the doors slide open onto our floor, Fern steps into the hallway. I follow. She glances over her shoulder as we stopoutside her room. I watch as she digs her keycard out of her purse.
“Well,” she says softly, “goodnight, Jackson.”
She opens the door and steps inside, but before she can close it, I follow her in. The door shuts behind us.
She turns quickly. “Jackson?—”
I don’t give her time to finish the sentence. I grab her face gently and kiss her. Her soft gasp melts against my mouth. For half a second, she freezes. Then her hands slide into my hair, and she kisses me back.
Hard.
Like she’s been wanting this as much as I have.
Relief floods through me as I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her against my chest. She fits perfectly there, like she always belonged.
When we finally break apart, Fern’s cheeks are flushed, and her blue eyes are wide.
“You’re staying here tonight?” she asks breathlessly.
I brush my thumb across her jaw. “Yeah. Is that okay?”
“Uh-huh,” she says distractedly, her hands already tugging at my shirt.
Then she kisses me again, and this time…
Neither of us holds back.
