"I know a man in love when I see one, dear."
"He's not in love with me."
"No?" She smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Someone might want to tell him that then. Go on back to the desk when you're ready. I'll bring you crackers and Ginger Ale."
I gape after her as she strides out of the bathroom without looking back. Cortez isn't in love with me. He can't be…can he?
"Someone at the desk is asking for you," Gwen London says, popping her head into the break room where I'm trying to study.
I glance up from my books, frowning. "Who?"
"Hot guy, suit," she says. "Crazy blue eyes."
Great. I guess Cortez is back. I haven't seen him since he checked in this morning. I kind of hoped that meant he wouldn't be back before my shift ended, but I guess I'm not that lucky. Then again, when am I ever?
"Any chance he looks like he'll believe I already left?" I ask hopefully.
Gwen snorts. "He looks like he's willing to stand at the desk until the cows come home."
"Great," I sigh, quickly shoving my books back into my bag. The last thing I need is for him to stand out there making a nuisance of himself. That'll go over really well with the new owner of the hotel, Jax Archer. I can't afford to be fired right now. This job has benefits I need. "I'll go deal with him."
"Who is he?" Gwen asks, eyeing me curiously.
"A pain in my ass," I mutter, rising to my feet.
Gwen laughs softly. "Girl, every man I've ever met who looks like him is a pain in the butt," she says, biting into an apple. Her hazel eyes shine with mirth. "It's always the fine ones, isn't it?"
"Always," I agree. I like Gwen. She's sassy and doesn't take any crap. If anyone understands what it's like to deal with a complicated relationship, she does. She fell in love with her best friend's brother, Cyrus, a long time ago, but they only recently got together. I helped her catch an Uber last week when he made her cry. They've resolved their issues now and she's never been happier. She floats around this place with her head in the clouds. She'll be moving to Nashville soon to start her music career. I'm going to miss her. She's been really nice to me since I started working here.
"Need me to go out there with you?" she asks as I swing my backpack over my back and head for the door that leads out into the hallway and then into the lobby.
"Thanks, but I can handle him." I think.
"You can totally handle him," she says, grinning at me.
I give her a smile and duck through the door.
As expected, Cortez is standing by the front desk, looking just as gorgeous as he did this morning. His hair is a mess, his tie hanging loose around his neck. I draw to a stop, staring at him as my stomach flutters, heat surging through me. Somehow, he looks even more imposing rumpled than he did all cool and composed this morning.
Maybe because I remember exactly what he's like when he's out of that suit. How commanding and bossy he is. How dirty he can be. My nipples harden, memories of our night together assailing me. Yes, I remember all too well how dirty he can be.
Fuck me back, Piper. Work those sexy hips and take this cock like a good little girl.
His mouth only got dirtier as the night wore on.
Ah, goddamn, pretty baby. As soon as I get you pregnant, I'm claiming this little hole too. You'll be stuffed full of my cock and begging for more.
His blue eyes meet mine and I startle, a blush suffusing my cheeks. Crap. He caught me staring at him. I narrow my eyes, scowling when an amused grin lifts the corners of his lips. Of course he's laughing at me. He probably thinks it's hilarious, the insufferable jerk.
"Is there something wrong with your room, Mr. Blake?" I ask, skirting around the desk and dropping my bag on the floor.
"Yeah," he says, placing his elbows on the countertop and leaning toward me. "You aren't in it."
"Sucks for you."
"Yeah, it does." He sighs quietly, his eyes tracking every move I make. "What time do you get off, pretty baby?"
"I'm not coming to your room, Cortez."
"I wasn't asking. I was hoping you'd go to dinner with me."
"Oh." Guilt flickers through me for thinking the worst…and then I remember waking up alone in his hotel room two months ago and feel less guilty. "No, thanks."
"Please, Piper. You have to eat."
"Already ate."
"Not enough," he mutters. "You've lost weight."
"My weigh isn't your business," I snap.
"Everything about you is my business."
I glare at him.
"Come to dinner with me. Please."