Presley nods his head, looking from Tessa to me. “All right,” he says into the phone. “Officer Holly would rather speak to you, Mr. Hammond.”
Well, shit. Presley doesn’t wait for my reply before handing me the phone. I clear my throat, feeling like a kid being brought before the principal.
“This is Barclay Hammond,” I say as my hands begin to sweat.
I glance down at Tessa, and her anxious expression makes me hide mine. She needs my confidence, and frankly, so do I. I give her a slight smile and watch her exhale a deep breath. Yeah, I’ve got you, babe.
“Mr. Hammond. Miles Holly here. I understand you’re the owner of the hotel my sister is staying at. Is this correct?” His tone is commanding, and I stifle a scoff at the first question in many to come.
“Yes. I’m the owner,” I say. No need to elaborate on specific details until I know how he plans to take this conversation.
“Do you have a curfew for young women?” I try not to laugh at his ludicrous question, but she did mention I was just like him when I asked if she wanted to become a nun. Maybe she should’ve stayed in a convent while here.
“No. We aren’t restrictive in the hours of our guests coming and going.”
“Do you have a sister, Mr. Hammond?” he asks.
Miles is damn good at his job, because his question goes right to a soft spot. I try to imagine my sister, Victoria, going to a city like Manhattan all alone at Tessa’s age—a gorgeous young woman who hasn’t seen the evil of the real world. As a police officer, Miles knows what criminals are capable of, even in a small town like Monroeville. Plus, he likely DVRs every episode of Law & Order.
The line is silent as he awaits my answer. Sweet Tessa worries her lip and twists a strand of hair around her finger. I take a couple deep breaths.
“Yes, I do.”
“Well, brother to brother, I need you to do me a favor. Can you do this for me, Mr. Hammond?” He pauses, and I have only one answer.
“Of course.”
“Her family would be indebted to you. Make sure she’s safe while she’s there. I was seconds away from booking a plane to New York before she showed up.”
Well, dammit. I sigh. He’d have me arrested for indecency by these two officers if he knew I was kissing Tessa only moments ago, and as hard as marble with one plan on my mind.
“Your sister seems like a bright young woman. More than capable of taking care of herself, but I will watch over her as best as I can.” I side glance toward Tessa, speaking the truth, as much for my own need as a promise to her brother.
“Thanks again. And tell her to keep her phone turned on.”
“Why don’t you tell her?” I hand the phone to Tessa and she mouths, “Thank you.”
She retreats into the open door of her room, and Presley walks behind her, following his phone. The two policemen eye me with suspicion, and I feel like they’re reading my mind.
“Well … I guess we’re done with everything here.” I give them a two-finger salute and head toward the elevator, feeling their eyes on my back as I walk away. I bet they have sisters too. Just my luck.
Once inside my penthouse, I head straight for my bar and pour myself a drink, making it a double. I walk out onto my terrace and recline on a cushioned lounger, staring up at the few stars able to shine through the hazy city lights. The bourbon disappears after a couple swigs. I wanted to share this view with Tessa tonight. Watch her eyes light up as she took in the city’s skyline.
I set my glass on the table next to me and run my hands through my hair. How does a thirty-seven-year-old man, after one kiss, get cockblocked by two police officers? Wait—make that three. He chases after a southern belle and somehow becomes her chaperone.
If only Miles knew what I wanted to do to his sister.
Something tugs at my heart—probably my conscience. It’s a terrible thing to have in this situation, where I want the very thing I promised to keep Tessa from. I’m screwed.
My phone vibrates with an incoming text. Victoria.
Did you get a date for tmrw night?
Shit. I was going to ask Tessa to come to the awards dinner tonight, but worried brothers have a way of putting an end to dates.
What are you doing up so late?
Beatrice can’t sleep, so neither can I. You didn’t answer the ?
I’ll get back to you in the morning.
Okay. Night, Barc.
Night, sis.
I understand Miles’ feelings about his sister. I’d want to punch a guy if he were after my innocent sister too. It’s time to admit one thing to myself: I’m not after Tessa for just sex, though I wish I were making love to her right now under this cloudless night sky.