"This has nothing to do with the fact that you're a fan?"
I shook my head. "I'm working, and he's a guest at the hotel. Him having a good stay is part of my job and responsibility." Makani nodded her head slowly like she still didn't believe me, but was going to let me get away with this one.
"All right. Go invite him to the luau. You're so worried about him not having a good time, go threaten him with one."
"You think I should?" I asked.
"If nothing else, go up there and make sure he didn't die when we weren't looking. Either way, you'll get what you want. You'll go up there and see what's been keeping him, or you'll finally get him out taking part in all the complimentary activities he's paying for whether or not he does take part."
I thought about it. She was right. Even if he was up there and hadn't been out for a week because he preferred it that way, then I'd know and would be able to rest knowing he was okay.
"Are you okay down here for a few minutes?" I asked her.
"Go. I've got this," she said, waving me away. Before going up, I grabbed some pamphlets from the concierge: the ocean activities one, the wilderness activities one, and the cultural activities one. There had to be something he liked from those three. If nothing else, then golf. Anything. I couldn't imagine coming to Hawai'i and spending all my time inside.
I got to the second floor and stopped at his door. I inhaled deeply, knocking. I waited, not hearing any activity on the other side. I tried again, knocking a little harder. The door was yanked open just as my fist was coming to meet it.
Nate Stone was standing in the doorway of his suite pulling a robe over his shoulders. He was wearing that, underwear, and nothing else. The underwear was stretchy, tight over his hips and crotch. So tight that I didn't want to look back down there to see just how tight. Christ Almighty, was this guy hot. I knew what he looked like without his shirt on, but it was different seeing it in real life. Different and distracting.
We were in the same space. I wasn't just looking at a picture of him; he was looking back. My eyes went down his body slowly before coming back to his face. He was fit and muscular, with ridges in his abdomen and two lines like a “v” at his hips, tapering down and disappearing under his underwear.
What had I come up here to do again? Oh right.
"G-good afternoon, Mr. Stone," I stammered. I cleared my throat. He came closer, leaning against the doorframe, crossing his arms. The movement made the robe move over his chest, tightening the large muscles there. Oh my God, could he at least tie it closed? I felt myself blush. Should I leave and come back when he's dressed?
I was trying to be professional. I had come up here to check on him to make sure he was okay. Well, he certainly looked that way. More than okay. A lot more than okay.
"Call me Nate. Abby?" he said, furrowing his brow a little like he was trying to remember my name.
"Right. Abby. I'm Abby," I said stupidly. Oh my God, when did I stop knowing how to form whole sentences?
"Is something wrong? I don't think I called the front desk today," he said. I looked at him, getting a better look now that he was closer. His hair was messy, and his eyes had dark circles under them, like he hadn't been getting much rest. He looked like he'd been stressed, like he hadn't taken that trip to the spa that I had suggested.
"You didn't," I said.
"You guys make personal room calls?" He cocked one brow asking me the question. I hoped I wasn't annoying him.
"No. We're just a little concerned, Mr. Stone. Nate," I started. "The Hulopoe suite's one of the best in the hotel, but you haven't been outside for days." He tilted his head a little, looking surprised.
"What? Are there cameras in here? Are you spying on me?" he asked.
"No, not at all. With everything to do on the island, we're just surprised you haven't done anything yet."
"I'm good. Thanks," he said.
I held the pamphlets out. "If you change your mind," I said. He took them and looked at them. "In fact, there's a luau tonight on the luau grounds near the beach."
"Oh yeah?" he said, not looking up.
"It's the first one of the summer. There will be food, music, a
nd performances," I said. He still hadn't looked up.
"Uh-huh," he said. I blinked. Maybe this had been a mistake.
"Hope to see you there," I tried to say brightly. He nodded, not even bothering making a sound that time. I opened my mouth to tell him good afternoon, but stopped. I turned and started walking away quickly.
Had I been bothering him that much? What was wrong? Why was he in such a bad mood?