“Whoa. You almost convinced me.”
I jump, stumbling forward as a hand grips my shoulder. It slides off and I spin around, my heart trying to drill out a hole and escape my chest. Shivers chase one another across my back, concentrating at the pit of my stomach as my eyes take Jake in.
“Shit,” he says, biting on his lip to stifle a smile. “I scared you, didn’t I? Sorry.”
I blink at him, blanching for a few heartbeats. Why is he talking to me and flashing me that boyish smile after hecompletely ignored me earlier? Is he into me or is he not? It’s so hard to say. It’s annoying and a little unnerving. But with the irritation the inability to read him brings, there is also tantalizing anticipation. For more, for the excitement he stirs in me just by being near me to lead somewhere.
He also looks delicious in a pair of cargo pants and a black loose hoodie. The hint of elegance his uniform provides has been traded for casual approachability that makes it hard to take my eyes off him. And when he lets his grin fully materialize, I don’t even want to anymore. There is just something so open, so attractive, about the way he smiles at me. It’s different from how he is with the other guests; it’s more unguarded, like he isn’t afraid to show me what’s hiding behind his pretty face.
It’s, honestly, humbling. I’m not used to it, because all I know are practiced smiles and honed façades. It’s the name of the game that I play.
Taking a deep breath as I gather my bearings, I cock an eyebrow at him. “You should stop sneaking up on people like this. It’s bound to give someone a heart attack. If they die from it, you’ll be liable.”
He snorts, waving me off. “Duly noted, Mr. Lawyer. And it’s a little concerning that your brain went there.” He shoves his hands in the pockets of his pants, sagging his shoulders a little. “But I’ll let it slide.”
Despite wanting to play it cool, I answer his sly smile with one of my own. “What’s the verdict? You think they’ll get the power back up soon?”
He hums, looking around the foyer. “Not likely, if they haven’t already. But it shouldn’t be a problem.” He knocks on the wall with his knuckles. “They have enough juice to run the hotel for a while.”
“Not the pool, apparently,” I point out. I guess I really wanted to go for a swim, and now that I can’t, I’m a little annoyed.
“Well, that is technically not true.” He gestures toward the sliding glass doors of the main entrance. Outside, the snow falls lazily, unaware of the inconvenience it has caused me. “Say, I’ll tell you all about it if you tag along? With no power, there isn’t much for me to do until dinner service, so I’m walking to the village on an errand.”
I pause as we reach the glass. Joining someone local for a walk doesn’t sound too bad There is only one issue. It’s why I haven’t gone out by myself for a walk or in search of a clothes’ store.
“I didn’t really pack for a stay here.” I indicate my suit, and his eyes follow the movement of my hand with laser-like focus. “These are all the clothes I have.”
Humming, he studies my vest. My heart bangs frantically and I’m not even sure why. It’s an amazing suit, I know that. Custom-tailored and expensive. It looks great on me. But even though I am aware of all of this, his undivided attention is almost too much. Heat crawls all over my body, concentrating in my core as I shift my weight nervously.
“This sucks. Not only you get stuck here, but you don’t even have your stuff. You are really unlucky.”
I do my best to minimize the roll of my eyes. But despite my frustration at the situation and him pointing out how unfortunate I have been, I huff out a laugh. “Thank you, Captain Obvious.”
“They didn’t have anything in the shop?”
“Nothing that fits me. It seems I wasn’t the only one in need of winter clothes.”
“I can lend you a jacket,” he says, his voice a little shier. A glimmer of something I can’t quite read sneaks into his gaze,turning it a notch more potent than it was. “If you are okay with that.”
I suppose that works. “Sure. If you don’t mind.”
He stares at me for a few seconds, not saying anything. My heart hammers in my chest as I start to wonder if maybe he will take back his suggestion. But he doesn’t. He turns around and motions me toward the elevators, grinning like a kid who’s just gotten a sack full of presents.
“Not at all. Let’s go get you a coat.”
And if I’m being honest?
I love that I was the one who put that look on his face.
Chapter 6
Jake
My heart pounds inmy ears as Ethan enters my cramped room. Unlike the suites the VIP guests get, as a staff member I was given a small apartment that I share with two more. We each have our own bedroom, but it’s the tiniest thing, comprising just a bed, a cabinet next to it and a narrow wardrobe.
Cold sweat peppering the back of my neck, I observe Ethan’s reaction as I lead him into the room. Any moment now he’ll make some comment. I wait for it, and then I wait some more as I take my spare coat out and hand it to him. He looks unfazed, as if he hasn’t even noticed, or cares, that I live in a storage room. I’m pretty sure it’s what this used to be.
Once he’s donned my spare winter parka, he stretches. It’s a little big on him, but in a cute way that brings warmth to my chest. My abs squeeze as I take him in wearing my jacket, and my cock gives a tiny jerk that, luckily, he doesn’t seem to notice.
