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“Yes, please. Immediately.”
We head for our room at a sedate pace. Now that the limelight has been shifted to the next couple, we don’t have to worry about being bothered for right now.
For the first time, I take a second to look at our surroundings. We’re in a small yet classy hotel. From the looks of the place, I estimate there to be fewer than a hundred rooms. The lobby is tastefully decorated in shades of blue and white, with a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling. As we walk down the corridor, I can feel Jess’s hand trembling in mine, and I know it’s not just from the adrenaline of the kiss.
She seems completely unaware of our surroundings.
“Are you okay?” I ask her, concerned.
She shakes her head. “I was so nervous. I thought we’d been caught for sure. I’m not good at coming up with responses on the fly like that.”
“You did great,” I tell her. “We probably should have expected something like that to happen. After all, they’re doing this show for the ratings. I’ve no doubt they’ll try to throw out some other uncomfortable surprises just to get our reaction.”
“I sincerely hope not. That was awful. How did they know we hadn’t told my parents about the engagement?”
I pause at the door to our suite. “That could’ve been my fault. You remember Kenneth, the producer? Well, he asked what our families had done to celebrate the engagement, and I let it slip that we hadn’t told your parents yet and that we were planning a party later. Maybe I should’ve just lied and said they were excited, but I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”
“No, you were right to say what you did. The questioning from Anne-Marie just caught me off guard. I’ll do better next time.”
I swipe the key card to unlock the door before responding. “I’ve had more experience dealing with reporters and awkward questions like that, so I’ll try to do a better job of fielding those questions. Seriously though, you did great. Don’t even worry about it.”
“Thanks, Dax. That’s sweet of you to say.”
“Crazy that you say that. I’m known for my sweetness. Ladies, in particular, find me very sweet.”
She snorts out loud. “Of course you’d say that. Hey, I have to check in with the doctor. He needs to see my ankle one final time. And I think I’ll take a walk around the property. I need to stretch my muscles after being cooped up in the car for so long. Do you mind bringing up the bags and we can meet up later?”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll try to meet you downstairs in a little bit. I need to answer some emails first.”
I watch Jess head down the hall before heading into our suite. It’s just one large room, but it’s beautifully decorated in shades of warm neutrals and soft vintage charm. There is a comfortable-looking seating area with a large-screen TV as well as a breakfast nook that looks over the beach and ocean beyond.
I’m surprised to see our suitcases stacked neatly against the wall and my keys on the table. The hotel concierge must have taken care of it while we were in the lobby with Anne-Marie.
My eyes gravitate past the ocean view to the plush-looking king-sized bed. It looks hella comfortable. I wonder if Jess thinks she’ll get the entire bed to herself again. Not gonna happen. My back still aches from the nights spent on those shitty cots in the previous hotel rooms.
Emails beckon me through the irritating buzz of my phone, but I’m reluctant to start work. If I sit down to answer emails, I’ll probably be there for hours. Work has a way of sucking me in, and I’m supposed to be on vacation.
Instead, a shower sounds inviting after spending so much time in the car. Jess will be busy for a while, so I should have plenty of time to shower, shave, and meet her downstairs. I toss my suitcase on the luggage stand and rifle through my belongings. Finding a fresh set of clothing, I head to the bathroom.
Soon, I feel the warm water cascading down my chest. The invigorating stream of the multiple jets is like fingers massaging my skin. When I close my eyes, I can almost imagine I’m back home in my own shower.
Do I want to be at home in my own shower?
Nah.
I grin to myself, thinking about the fun I’m having so far. Well, minus the almost-broken ankle. I could’ve done without that little bit of excitement. At least Jess is back to her normal self, no more pain.
I grab the bottle of shampoo the hotel left for us and work up a good lather into my hands. I massage the suds into my hair. I feel myself relaxing already, and it’s a great feeling. The only thing that would be better right now would be food. Or sex. Nah, I don’t need food, just sex.
The fantasies started the day Jess and I got into the car together for the first time. Every destination we reach, I imagine a new way, a new place we could be together . . . On the couch with her straddling me, on the bed, pushing up against her in the elevator, sliding into her while we kissed in the ocean. I want her in the most primal way a man could want a woman. The rational part of me says we shouldn’t get involved, that she needs time to get over her idiot ex. The other part of me thinks a few weeks of some fantastic sex is just what she needs. Or is it what I need?
I’ve been celibate too long. After my last serious relationship ended, I’ve been focusing on work and deliberately avoiding casual entanglements. It’s not that I don’t want female companionship. It’s just that I feel like I’m in limbo. I’m waiting on the next thing, and I don’t exactly know what that next thing is. Nothing has felt right lately.
That was true until I met Jess. She’s different. She’s exciting. She’s like no one I’ve ever been with. I may have had my doubts about this competition, but I now see I made the right move. I feel like I’m finally getting back to my old self again.
Just as I’m about to rinse my hair, I hear the door to the hotel room slam closed. I glance toward the open bathroom door and groan. The door must not have latched when I closed it, and it appears the air-conditioning has blown it wide open. And, of course, the towel is on a rack several feet from the shower, so it’s not like I can reach out and grab a towel to cover up with.
I hope I’m not about to give one of the hotel maids a show. Surely they’ll hear the running water and leave?
