Page 125 of Manhattan Kiss

The receptionist taps away on her computer. “Oh yes, here it is. A standard room, is that right?”

“I’d like to upgrade if possible.” I deliberately didn’t book my regular room, and I didn’t book a suite. I figure as director of rooms, Aurora will be called to assist with my request for an upgrade. If she’s on duty. I know ambushing her at work may be considered underhanded, but I’m playing to win. I’ll do whatever it takes.

“I can do my best to accommodate you. Do you have a room in mind? Room 325?” she suggests.

“Do you have anything bigger?” I ask. I look around, but I don’t see Aurora anywhere.

“We have the presidential suite,” the receptionist replies.

“Can I see it?” I ask.

She shifts from foot to foot. “Certainly. Give me a second and I can arrange that for you.”

I grip the handle of my suitcase tightly, silently praying that she’s going to ask Aurora to come and show me the presidential suite. She steps to one side and whispers something to the male receptionist. He nods.

“I’ll just be one moment,” she says. She comes out from behind the desk and crosses the lobby.

In a few minutes, the receptionist reappears, and when I turn towards her, I see Aurora is following.

My heart lifts in my chest like it’s trying to come up for air and a sense of peace descends on me.

It’s so good to see her. Good to be close to her.

More than good. It’s perfection.

At first, she won’t meet my gaze. She’s focused on the computer. Then the receptionist fiddles with something and hands her a key.

Aurora turns to me and gives me a professional smile. “Mr. Black, please follow me. I’ll show you the presidential suite.”

She marches off in front of me and we head into the elevator.

We’re going to be alone at last.

But just as the doors close, another guest, a woman, gets in and stands in front of us.

I turn, facing Aurora, but she stays still, her gaze fixated on the closing doors in front of us.

She’s angry.

I get it.

She should be angry.

But I have to win her over. I know we’re meant to be together, and if I don’t risk her wrath, we could both lose everything. I’ve come so close to losing her forever, seeing her feels like a second chance and I won’t let it slip through my fingers.

The three of us travel up to the tenth floor and then the three of us all get out. I follow Aurora along the corridor. At some point the interloper in our party peels off and lets herself into a room.

“Aurora,” I say, as the door to the woman’s room clicks shut.

“This is the presidential suite,” Aurora says, as she puts her key into the lock and opens the door. “It has the most incredible views uptown,” she adds, sweeping her hand toward the window. “And a separate office. The bedroom is through there. Does this have the space you’re looking for?”

“Yes, this is great. Aurora, please, give me five minutes.”

“I’m at work, Deacon.”

“I know,” I say. “But I want to talk to you.”

“We’ve said what we need to say to each other.”