Once we’re on the main road, things don’t appear to be getting much better. The rain continues to pummel our windshield, with the surrounding cars barely moving. According to the GPS, we still have at least twelve miles before we reach the closest highway on-ramp. Looking toward the dash, the clock now reads 11:35 p.m.
“Ava?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you want to get a hotel room?”
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Ava
“What?” My face snaps up toward his in shock.
“It’s after 11:00, and we haven’t even gotten close to the exit yet. It’ll probably be 3:00 a.m. before we get home. I’m happy to push on ahead, but if you don’t have anywhere to be tomorrow… well, I’d spring for two hotel rooms so we could dry off and get a good night’s sleep. We can probably be home within two hours when the traffic is better in the morning.”
Hmm. That makes sense. Thinking more carefully about what he’s said, he’s probably right. Plus, I’m sure he’s exhausted. I wouldn’t want him to feel like he’s forced to drive if he’s not up to it. “Okay, sure. I don’t have to be anywhere early,” I answer hesitantly.
We sit in traffic for nearly forty minutes more before we’re able to turn off of the main road and stop at the first hotel we see. Running inside to inquire about a room, we find they’re sold out for the evening. We sprint back through the rainstorm to the car, proceeding to the next hotel to find a similar situation. Twice more, we’re told there’s ‘no room’ in the inn.
“If the next place is booked, we may have to just drive back,” Mick says.
He turns the car into a Sheraton, parks under the overhang, and we exit the vehicle. The rain is coming down even harder now, if that’s possible. As we approach the front desk, the clerk hangs up the call she’s on and greets us.
“Hi, guys. Wow. It’s really coming down out there. What can I do for you?”
“Hey, do you have any rooms left tonight?” Mick asks.
“As a matter of fact, I just hung up with a cancellation. Would you like it?”
“Yes!” We both answer in unison. Mick looks down at me with a relieved but playful smile. I’m sure he’s thankful he won’t have to drive back home in this monsoon in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
“Just sign here, and I need to see your credit card and driver’s license,” she advises.
As Mick finishes the paperwork, the kind desk clerk hands him the key. “I’ll be right back. I just need to park the car.”
Pacing in the lobby, I rub my hands over my arms to stay warm. The chill of the hotel air conditioning is making me tremble. At least, I think it’s the temperature. I admit my nerves are a bit on edge right now. Glancing down at my reflection in the large hotel mirror, I realize my shirt is finally drying. I smile, recalling how surprised I’d been that he bought this for me. Poor Mick is going to be soaked to the bone.
As if on cue, Michael appears through the hotel’s revolving doors drenched from head to toe. The dark curls of his hair are plastered to his forehead, water dripping down his cheeks and nose. He swipes his hand down his face before gliding his muscular fingers through his wet locks. Grasping my hand, we head for the elevator.
As we ride to the fourth floor, I attempt to warm his arms by rubbing my hands along his wet skin. I fear all this is doing is getting me really turned on. Suddenly, it dawns on me for the first time that we’re sharing a room. I’d been so excited we finally found one, I never put two and two together. I immediately drop my hands to my sides, knowing this could get awkward. Lord, I’m not prepared for this. This has nothing to do with being shy or coy in the bedroom. But I have a track record with men. It doesn’t take long for the relationship to implode once the clothes come off. Beyond the paranoia that I’m simplythat badin bed, I don’t want to worry he’s going to have one foot out of the door once we’ve finally gone there.
Finding our room, Mick opens the door after swiping the key card several times. “Sorry. The card’s all wet.” He laughs. He flicks on the light, and we both freeze. Not only is there only one room, but there’s also only one bed. Mick slowly walks into the room, placing the key card onto the dresser before turning back to me.
Biting my lip, my heart rate hastens at the thought of the evening before us. Scanning his incredible physique, clinging to his wet shirt and pants, I can feel a flutter in my belly already beginning to betray me. I’m just going to accept that whatever comes our way tonight is fate. This entire day has been perfect. If this is what’s meant to be, I’ll enjoy every last dirty minute of it.
“Ava. I’m going to take a quick shower and hang up these wet things. Do you need to use the restroom before I do?” Mick’s words interrupt my lascivious thoughts.
“Oh, sure. No, I’m fine,” I answer quietly.
I start to feel a bit overwhelmed by our situation. I have no overnight bag. We’re sharing a bed. I already get turned on by his slightest touch. How am I ever going to sleep next to this man?Am I prepared to handle this… if he turns out like the rest?
Mick exits the bath with a white towel slung low about his hips. His torso is rippled with taut muscles beneath bronze skin.Jeez, he’s even more mouthwatering than my mind could imagine.I notice the sexy tattoo present along his right arm I recall from months ago in the operating room. The other arm’s colorful artwork begins at his left pec and travels down his arm just below his elbow. My mouth goes dry at the sight of him, but lower… well, there’s nothing dry down there any longer.
“Do you want to shower? I’m going to leave my clothes hanging in there to dry for the morning. Just move whatever’s in your way.”
My eyes widen, realizing what he’s saying.
“Ava, I’ll sleep in the towel. It’s okay. This honestly wasn’t a ploy to get you naked. It’s a big bed. I won’t push you.”
