I called her stunning before. I take it back. With that smile, she’s nothing short of beautiful.
I don’t think I’ve ever referred to a woman as beautiful before. Now, there’s a first.
If she can look this beautiful with those huge hideous sunglasses covering what I imagine is the best part of her face, then I can only imagine how she looks without them.
And how she would look under me.
Naked.
I sling her bags over my shoulder and stride off in the direction of Lakeview.
You can’t have sex with her, Matthews.
My dick, of course, disagrees. Yeah, my dick is absolutely positive that I could screw this chick for two weeks straight and not get bored once.
Who am I kidding? I’d get bored after a week. I lasted that long with Shawna, and she had a huge rack and legs that went on forever.
But even with those assets, she was nowhere near as hot as Mia Monroe.
Hot or not. I don’t have the staying power. And right now, money is more important. And proving a point to Beth, of course.
I come to a stop outside Lakeview. I unlock the door, turn the light on and go inside, setting her bags on the bed.
When I turn back, I see she’s still standing out in the hall.
Everything about her body language screams tense. My eyes flicker to her hands. They’re trembling again.
What is wrong with this girl? I thought it was because she was hot for me, but no, it’s not that. It’s something else.
She wraps her arms around her chest and straightens her back up.
With care, I walk toward her. She steps back to let me pass.
“Your key.” I hold it out to her, leaving a distance between us.
Freeing a hand, she takes it from me.
And now it’s me making sure not to touch her in this exchange. Even though I want to, something tells me that right now I shouldn’t.
“Breakfast is served between seven and eight-thirty.” It’s on me to make breakfast tomorrow as it’s Paula’s day off. Paula is both our cleaner and our cook. She’s worked here ever since I can remember.
“And we don’t do evening meals, but there are plenty of restaurants nearby,” I add, remembering the remainder of my spiel.
“Are there any other guests staying here?” Her voice sounds small.
I turn back to her. “No. Not until next week. Until then, it’s just you and me.”
The look on her face throws me for a loop. She looks terrified.
What the hell? Jeez, it’s not like we’re the Overlook Hotel.
“Don’t worry. It’s totally safe out here,” I feel compelled to say. “We have a great alarm system, and I have a shotgun. You know, just in case.” I wink as I laugh.
At the mention of a shotgun, her body stiffens and she looks like she’s about to bolt.
Or puke.
Okay, I’m guessing that was the wrong thing to say.
“I’m totally kidding, I don’t have a gun here.”
That’s a bit of a lie. We do have guns. My dad used to be a cop, so he still has shotguns, and rifles for hunting. I know how to shoot. I’m pretty good. Dad taught me when I was a kid, but I think it’s best if she doesn’t know that.
I lift my empty hands, palms facing, placating. “No guns. I promise. No need for them. Like I said, it’s a safe place.”
She pulls on her lip again. Then runs her fingers around her ear, tucking her short hair behind it. I see that her hand is trembling again.
“Are you okay?” I take a small step forward.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
She doesn’t sound it, but I don’t press it. It’s none of my business.
“Okay, well if you need anything, just press reception on the phone in your room, and it’ll bring you straight through to me. Goodnight, Mia.” I step back, ready to leave.
Her brows knit together. “How do you know my name?”
Damn, I should have called her Ms. Monroe, but something about her feels familiar like I should always be calling her Mia.
And now I sound like a stage five clinger.
Awesome.
“I got it from your details when you filled the form in.” I smile.
“Oh, right. Yes.” She laughs a little sound, and it hits me straight in the chest, leaving a tingling fullness there.
What the hell?
“What should I call you?” she asks.
There are a million different ways I could answer this, none of them clean.
I lean my shoulder against the wall and push my hand into my pocket. “Jordan.”
She turns and mirrors me, wrapping her arms around herself.
“Is this your hotel, Jordan?” My name sounds amazing on her lips.
I let out a laugh. “No. My dad’s. He’s away taking care of my Grandpa at the moment, so I’m holding the fort.”
“Oh, nothing serious I hope?”