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He chuckled. “Hello, Skylar.”
She let go immediately. “How’d you know it was me?”
He looked over his shoulder at her. “You always smell like vanilla.”
Her cheeks warmed as he turned back to Ari at the counter and took his room key.
“I thought you’d never get here,” Skylar said.
“Friday rush hour traffic took forever to get through.” He faced her and grabbed his bag.
Skylar wrinkled up her nose. “That’s the worst.”
He yawned. “Man, that’s such a long drive. I am beat.”
“I was just heading up to my room. I’ll walk with you. What floor are you on?”
“Third.”
“Me too.”
He motioned toward the staircase. “Lead the way.”
The two of them climbed the steps to the third floor and turned down the hallway. Franky stopped at the door across from hers. “This is me.”
She laughed and pointed over her shoulder at the door behind her. “That’s me.”
“Well, hello there, neighbor,” he said with a grin.
Skylar chuckled as he swiped the key card and opened his door, and she followed him inside.
“Nice place,” he observed as he wheeled his suitcase in behind him. He walked over and looked out the window at the dark parking area illuminated by a few streetlights. “Could be a better view.”
“I’ve got the best view. If it wasn’t dark, I’d show you and brag.”
“Well, aren’t you special?”
She laughed.
“Show me your room,” he said.
Her stomach flipped. “Okay. Yeah. Come on.” She rolled her eyes at herself as she pulled his door open and headed into the hallway. Could she sound more eager?
Franky followed, stopping directly behind her while she got out her room key. He was standing so close, she was overcome by the masculine scent of his cologne and the warmth of his body at her back, and her hands began to tremble a little.
Slow, calming breaths.
Somehow, she managed to unlock the door and keep herself from leaning back against his body and resting her head on his chest. Another minute and she would’ve been tempted to bury her fingers in his hair and pull his head down until their lips met.
She wondered how he would’ve reacted if she’d done that.
Once inside, she walked over to the window. “This is it.”
He moved to stand beside her, his arm pressed against hers. “Wow! You do have the better view. Vineyard in the dark.”
“Don’t forget the bay in the dark.”
“I’m totally missing out on these dark views. Those parking lot lights ruin it all for me. I might have to complain.”