“Marcel and Honor took care of it, don’t worry about it. You’re more important.”
Oh! I’m not equipped to deal with this level of swooning right after getting up.
“The kids and Karla—”
“Left for San Francisco this afternoon on the bus. The hotel has a shuttle service. I can arrange that for you. I’d drive you myself, but I’m staying here tonight. I’ve got another group here tomorrow.”
I nod, still feeling out of sorts. “I need a shower first. Some food would also be good.”
“You can order room service.”
“Did you have dinner?” I ask. If he’s been here the entire time, I guess he didn’t.
“No.”
I swallow, grabbing the menu for room service from the nightstand, perusing it. Usually, purely as a defense mechanism, I would avoid being alone for too long with Daniel. That goes double considering we’re in a hotel room. Also, I have a feeling I said some things I shouldn’t have before falling asleep.
But the man carried me to my room and forfeited his day and clients for me, so the least I can do is buy him dinner. As soon as I shower, I’ll be perfectly equipped to deal with his charm.
“What do you want?” I ask.
“Do they have pizza?”
“They do. Capricciosa?”
“Yeah.” I can practically hear the smile in his voice. I still remember his favorite. Without glancing his way, I dial room service, ordering pizza for both of us.
“How are you feeling?” Daniel asks after I hang up.
“Perfect. Can’t believe I was so stupid, not paying attention to the food. I’m sorry you wasted your day on me, though. And I’ve rumpled your bed.”
“You always were a messy sleeper, hogging all the space.”
“The affliction got worse with age, I’m afraid.” I laugh nervously, racking my mind for another topic, and end up rambling about which whales the kids might have seen until there is a knock at the door. “Wow, that was fast.”
Several minutes later, Daniel and I are sitting at the edge of the bed, practically inhaling our food, even though it’s still so hot I can’t feel the roof of my mouth after the first few bites.
Daniel is apparently immune to the heat because he’s already finished his pizza and is currently rumbling through the minibar, returning with two cans of Coke. I immediately take a swig from mine, cooling my mouth, pizza slice still in one hand.
I barely swallow the cool liquid when Daniel takes a mouthful from my slice.
Setting my Coke on the floor, I point a warning finger at him. “You ate your own pizza. No stealing mine.”
“Or what?” Daniel fixes me with his dark eyes. His molten gaze is a little playful, a lot intense. I avert my gaze because I’ve never been able to think straight when he looked at me like that.
“I’ll cook up an appropriate revenge plan. Just as soon as I finish my pizza so you can’t use it as leverage.”
“Carried you all the way from the restaurant up here. I deserve at least one slice for the effort.”
I tap my chin, pretending to be thinking hard. All the while, my heart thumps erratically in my chest because Daniel’s moved so close to me that I can feel the warmth of his body.
“And you watched me for hours. You deserve a bonus. Another half slice.”
He laughs throatily, and every shaky breath of his lands on my cheekbone, that’s how close he is.
“I thought you’d put up more of a fight. It’s more fun stealing it.”
“Fine, suit yourself. You’re not getting anything.”