“Yes, we are,” Ayana lied smoothly.“We’re very excited.Your town is so cute.First time here.”She smiled like the sun.“We thought we’d arrive early and explore your town.I already saw a chocolate shop and read that Sage is famous for her homemade hot chocolate, so that’s on my list.”
“She is and so much more.You must be a relation, Mr.Crow.You’re the spitting image of the groom.”
Telford felt his blood drain from his head.Wedding.Groom.Spitting image.It was like being shoved though a curtain on stage during the middle of a play.
“You get that all the time, don’t you, baby.”Ayana slid her arm through his and gazed up at his frozen stoniness like he was the center of the universe.
Her eyes shone with admiration and something that looked—if he didn’t know better—like affection.
“It’s lovely to know that there are still no secrets in a small town.Genes right?Tricky little buggers.Can sneakily skip a generation or jump out and shout ‘boo’ when you least expect.”
The front desk clerk—Joseph, Telford saw on his nametag—laughed.
“I know.I look more like my Uncle Ted than my dad, and boy, did I get teased growing up.”
“Right?”Ayana smiled at the young man, and he blinked a little as if blinded and then quickly ran through the check-in routine—amenities, services, spa and gym options, Wi-Fi, local restaurants.
The romance package—chilling champagne, flowers, and a tray of snacks—were already in the room.The luggage had already been sent up.Telford felt like he was still made of wood while they opted to take the stairs rather than the elevator.
“Romance package.”She hummed under her breath.“Good one.”
“I felt I should make an effort,” he said softly, though his lips and tongue still didn’t feel like they belonged to him.So much for hiding.“And you’re clearly really good at pretending and improv.”
She stopped at the first landing and faced him.
“I better be.You’re paying to have the best.I told you I’m a hard worker.”
He didn’t like being reminded that he was paying her to pretend.Dumb.He’d never shirked reality before.And why else would she be here but to do a job?
And in front of the whole lobby with the polished wide-planked pine floors, gleaming stained-glass windows, polished wood columns, and sitting area where people and families lounged, playing board games, reading, or chatting over a variety of drinks while Telford and Ayana looked over it all, she stood on tiptoes, speared her fingers through his hair and kissed him.
Chapter Eight
Telford frowned atthe clothes he’d hung up in his ensuite, while he tried tonotread too much into the kiss.It was their second, and though it wasn’t as hot as the first, this one felt more personal, or maybe he was misreading.This kiss, in the lobby of the hotel on the first landing of the stairs had been much more public.
It had felt as intimate as it had felt unexpected.And over far too quickly.Her soft lips, which he’d become nearly obsessed with from the moment she’d uttered a softheyless than a week ago, had parted his while she pressed against him, moving sensuously, and her tongue—so expert in forming words that made him think or want to laugh or stutter in astonishment—swept along the seam of his lips, parting them and plundering his mouth, stroking along his inner cheek, licking along his upper gum line and dancing with his tongue before he could do more than gasp in a breath that was rich with her spice-laden scent that intrigued as much as beckoned.
Her fingers in his hair felt like heaven, but too soon they were gone, and she pulled away, looking up at him, eyes shining, cheeks lightly pinked.
“I’ve shocked you,” she whispered.
“I’ll cope.”
Her smile widened.“I’m going to enjoy this part of our practice, Telford Crow.”And then she leaned into him again, on tiptoes, one hand on his forearm so that her lips brushed his ear sending shivers down his spine and disappointment crashing through him that she wasn’t kissing him again.
“Boss.”She’d released him again, looking quite pleased and on the verge of laughter.
“I appreciate your dedication,” he said stiffly feeling dumb and embarrassed for his all too enthusiastic erection and hoping she wouldn’t notice.
He was annoyed that he continued to relive the moment ten minutes later as he unpacked.Being with Ayana was business.And business he could handle.
He continued to stare at his closet.He’d brought a ridiculous number of suits.Why?Did he imagine himself executing business deals over eggs and coffee or grilled cheese at the Main Street Diner?He hadn’t done business in restaurants in Denver.Cam had.
But Cam was dead.And though he had plenty of ready cash and a huge personal investment portfolio and business portfolio, he couldn’t let what he and Cam had built wither.He was here to build a legacy for Cam, not watch it tank.
Maybe he’d have to head to Bozeman to supplement his casual wear, though he’d seen a western wear store in town—he shuddered thinking about how phony he’d look tricked out like the man claiming to be his bio dad.That cowboy patina took years in the saddle and stewarding the land.His mother had looked as natural in the saddle as she had walking, making fry bread, singing while she’d taught him to two-step, his small bare feet on her boots.
He shook his head to stay in the present.The hotel suite with two rooms and a small living area had been a good decision.They’d each have their own room, to dissipate the complication of sex, plus space for business and her projects.He couldn’t see how she could turn the two vests that she’d made during their drive along with a collection of small but cute farm animals into a sustainable business.But maybe that could be something he could advise her on before they parted ways.
