Chapter 45: Sex and Secrets 002

She’d been a great help with the wedding preparation while I was in France, and she was used to her daughter’s detailed requests. I wished I could let her deal with the bridesmaids altogether.

“Everything’s under control. Just come to my room with Nora, when we try on the dresses for the last time. I dealt with everything she came up with.”

“You did a great job,” Mia said. “I showed your parents the wedding rehearsal on the plane.”

My cheeks had just cooled down. There they went in flames again.

“You looked adorable, honey,” my mother said.

Dad grinned broadly. “I hope you won’t headbutt me, too, when we do that walk for real.

“That was so funny,” Samwel sniggered.

“I was looking forward to the second round,” Mitchell quipped.

Mia took pity on me. “Let’s check in and get the luggage to our rooms. I’d like to get a few hours on the beach.”

“I already have your room key,” I told my parents, stepping between them and taking their arms.

A tall woman wearing the hotel’s uniform caught my eye. Tamera Gordon was the invaluable resource who had patiently helped me deal with Nora’s requests.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Miss Richmond. We have a small issue with the accommodations.”

“I’ll be with you in a minute,” I told her.

Tamera nodded and went back to the reception desk.

“Sorry, guys,” I told my parents and handed them the key card. “Duty calls.”

“No problem, honey,” dad said. “We’ll find our way.”

I got a kiss on the cheek from both of them, and they got in the elevator.

“I can handle this if you want,” Mitchell said.

For a moment, I was tempted to let him do it and spend a few more minutes with my parents. But I didn’t like to shirk my obligation.

“No, it’s ok. They need some time to decompress after the flight anyway. But thank you.”

We waved to Mia, Samwel and Ryan when they passed by, heading for the elevator.

“So, why were you blushing?” he asked.

“Mind your own business, nosy-Ned,” I said elbowing him playfully in the ribs.

I smiled at Tamera, inviting her to tell me what was the probably not-so-small issue.

“It’s about the last room you booked,” Tamera said.

Damn. After the events of last night, and the annoyance with the bridesmaids, I had forgotten to tell Fred that he was supposed to move out of his room.

She went on explaining that the hotel was fully booked, as I already knew, and the extra room we had needed on short notice was only available for one night. I tried to find a way to stop her talking without making things worse. I feared that she would let slip how much I had insisted on getting that particular room. Mitchell was a smart guy and he might guess that there was something between me and Fred. Fortunately, her tact spared me the humiliation.

“Do you still want to handle it?” I asked Mitchell sweetly.

He gulped. “Umm, do I want to tell Fred Fredthat he has to schlep to another room?”

“Well?” I raised my eyebrows at him.

He shook his head. “I’m sure you’re the right man for the job.”

I smiled and turned back to Tamera.

“Please give me the key to the other room, and I’ll take care of it.”

I got my phone out to call Fred, but before dialing, I wanted to get rid of Mitchell.

“Don’t you have some people to bring from the airport?”

He opened his mouth to protest that his brother’s plane didn’t land for about three hours, but he must have understood that I wanted him gone.

I took in a deep breath, and dialed his number.

“Missed me already?” Fred’s voice purred in my ear.

“Yes, Mr. Sinclair,” I said, answering his question and warning him that I was in public. “Are you in a room by any chance?”

“No, Miss Richmond, but I can get there in ten minutes if you want me. Do you have time for a quick visit, in your busy schedule?”

Fucking hell. He was asking me if I wanted a quickie while the hotel was rapidly filling up with people we knew. The temptation to agree left me breathless. If my mother thought I was blushing earlier, she should have seen me now.

“Actually, I’m afraid I need to ask you a favor.” I couldn’t believe how husky and flirty my voice sounded. “There was a bit of a mix-up and you have to move to another room. Can I come up to explain?”

“I’ll be up and I can’t wait for you to come,” he said, his voice dripping with the delight he took in the double entendre.

Damn! I sure as hell wanted him up, and I was eager to come.

Wherever he was, I wondered if he was stroking himself when he said that.

#

Helping Fred change rooms was an exercise in self-control. He hadn’t shaved and all I wanted was to feel his beard all over my skin while he explored me. I did my best to keep the desire out of my eyes. My voice didn’t tremble when I spoke. It sounded downright professional, as if I was on the hotel staff, apologizing for an inconvenience.

“I’m so sorry about this,” I said. “I forgot to tell you yesterday it was just for one night.”

He closed his suitcase with a dry click.

“Don’t worry,” he said, glancing into the bathroom to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything. “I figured it was for one night.”

It hurt to hear my words echoed so coldly. It sounded like a reassurance that he wouldn’t bother me again. I painted a smile on my lips and guided him to his new room. At the door, I handed him the key card but I didn’t follow him inside.

“I hope you like the room.”

“It will do,” he said flatly.

I was about to leave when his voice stopped me.

“Aryra ?”

I tried to keep my composure when I looked up at him.

“Nora is lucky to have a friend like you,” he said with some of the old kindness I knew so well.

This might have been a bad joke, but I was sure it wasn’t. We both wanted to make sure nothing ruined Nora’s wedding. He must hav

e understood how much it cost me to keep my distance from him.