Page 24

TWENTY-FOUR

Kinsley

My entire body is trembling, fueled with a mix of excitement and trepidation, and as I walk into the Hermitage, I can’t help but stare. This place is fancy. Between the marble and gold accents, the decor screams opulence.

I don’t belong here; that much is clear.

My purse is a knockoff, my heels were on clearance, and this dress was something I found at the second hand store. There’s no way these rooms go for under three hundred dollars a night. None. And here I am, walking in here like an imposter, a woman who can’t afford a two-bedroom apartment and lives on a couch.

That’s my reality.

I sleep on a freaking couch so my brother can have his own space, and I’m walking into what I can only assume is a five star hotel.

But I can’t let that deter me. My bosses will be here soon for their dinner meeting, and I’ll be damned if they’re going to find me wandering around in the lobby.

I may be here under unscrupulous pretenses, but there’s no way I’m going home. Not now. Not when so much money is on the line, money I need for Colin to have his procedure. It doesn’t matter if I can’t afford a room; I’m not the one paying.

“Can I help you, miss?” The hotel receptionist greets me with a warm smile.

“Um, yes. Checking in.” I drop my purse and the small overnight bag I packed on the floor in front of me.

“Name.”

“Kinsley Virginia.” I hold back the urge to roll my eyes, the urge I get every time I think of the ridiculous name they gave me to check in. At least they didn’t put the reservation under Kinsley the virgin. I’ll give them a few points for creativity.

She nods, completely unfazed, her fingers flying over the keyboard. “Yes, it looks like the other party has already checked in. You’ll be staying in one of our suites.” She holds up a bold yellow keycard before slipping it in a matching black and yellow sleeve. “This is the key to your room which is located on the seventh floor. I’m writing down your room number and the WIFI password you can use for the duration of your stay. You’ll find the elevators right off the lobby.”

“Thank you so much.” I take a deep breath, trying to hide the tremble in my hand as I reach out and grab the key.

“Absolutely. If there’s anything you need during your stay, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.”

“I will.” I give her a wobbly smile, pick up my belongings, and head in the direction of the elevator, her words echoing through my brain. The other party has already checked in.

I should be grateful. If he’s already here, we can get this over with and both go our separate ways. I don’t have to spend hours in the hotel room alone, waiting for him to show his face. Still, it would have been nice to get to the room first, get familiar with the layout, make sure I don’t have to vomit.

You know, the little things.

When I get to the elevator, I take out my phone, fire off a text to the girls, and let them know I’m at the hotel. It immediately vibrates with an incoming message, and it doesn’t stop. They’re quite chatty this evening, but I guess it’s not every day your friend goes off to meet a stranger for sex. Although, saying it like that, I guess it’s really not that uncommon in general. Just for me. The virgin. Kinsley Virginia.

So, yeah, I’m not surprised they have an entire commentary going, but I can’t indulge them right now. Not when I can barely put one foot in front of the other, a point that’s highlighted when my heel hooks on the bottom of the elevator and I stumble onto the seventh floor.

How sexy is that?

I can only hope this guy appreciates awkward because like it or not, that’s what he’s going to get. But maybe he’s awkward too. Maybe that’s why he shops for virgins online.

I wonder if he’s done this before? Not that it really matters, I guess. But I can’t help but be curious about the guy waiting for me on the other side of this door.

Will he be nice? Patient? Attentive?

Or will he be demeaning? Rude?

Old or young?

Single or married?

I hover the keycard above the electronic lock, and my fingers tighten around my bags. I’m frozen. I’m rooted to this spot, staring at the number on the door, and I can’t move.

This is it. There’s no going back. Once I open this door, I’ll be giving a part of myself to a man I’ve never met. There will be no love, no feelings, and there’s a good chance not even kindness.

But I can do this. I have to do this.

I jump, my heart racing a hundred miles a minute as male voices suddenly appear back by the elevators. They’re getting closer, louder, and although I know it’s not likely, all I can think about is Wyatt, Maverick, and Brantley walking down the hall and finding me here.

So, of course, I swipe the card as fast as I can and practically throw myself into the hotel room as soon as the door unlocks. Once it closes, I plaster myself to the back of it, my breaths coming in heavy pants, and for a second, I forget there’s someone in here.

I peel myself away from the door and inch my way into what looks to be a living room, expecting someone to be waiting for me in the armchair or on the couch, but it’s empty. There’s no television or radio. No one talking on a cell phone. Nothing. It’s unnerving as fuck.

“Hello?” I call out, hedging my way into the bedroom.

No one answers back because the suite is empty. But he’s been here.

There are rose petals on the bed along with a white lace teddy, a matching blindfold, and a typed note.

Put these on and get comfortable on the bed.

Short and to the point. Although, it would have been nice if he signed his name or gave me any indication of how long I have to get ready.

If he’s like any other man in my life, he won’t wait long. So, I snag the lingerie from the bed, stuff my duffel bag and purse in the closet, and head into the bathroom. After taking a few deep breaths, I slide off my dress along with my bra and panties and hold up the lace.

I pull it on very carefully because if I don’t, I’ll end up face-first on the tiled floor with my legs twisted up in the strips of fabric. I say strips because the entire bottom is split open from my lower back to the top of my slit.

There’s a deep V down the front, connected with a little jeweled heart, and it’s—holy shit, this entire thing is stretchy. I can easily pop it over one breast or both without it being uncomfortable. It’s pretty, but I imagine that was the last thing on his mind when he picked this out.

I’m entirely accessible and exposed. It’s a good thing I showered and shaved almost my entire body before I left my apartment.

But at least I feel comfortable and sexy. Desired.

I glance at myself in the mirror and run my hands over my body, my curves, the white lace. Not only do I feel sexy, I look it too.

My confidence grows with every step back to the bed. I can do this. I am doing this.

As instructed, I lay in the middle of the bed, sliding the blindfold in place. I lay my arms at my sides, I put them behind my head; I put them back at my sides. And then I shift and cross my legs. Uncrossing my legs.

I’m not sure how long I lay there, minutes, hours, but the second the hotel door opens, my newfound confidence vanishes.

I’m no longer alone.