Page 86 of One Little Kiss

I release Winnie and clap Loch on the back, drawing him in so I can whisper a warning. “Don’t fuck around with Tilly. I may kick your ass, but Preston will kill you.”

He pulls back so we’re face-to-face. “No worries. I have no intention of hurting her.”

“I know. But I still had to say it.” I grin.

“Jackass. Text me if you need anything. Winnie, it was a sincere pleasure. I hope you enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you,” she murmurs, still taking in her surroundings.

I watch as he lets himself out, and I set Wes down on the floor. Somehow our bags beat us here, and I grab the one I know has his trains. Dragging it into the suite with him following behind, I unzip it and help him set up the tracks on the floor.

“There you go, buddy.”

He does his little happy dance and plops down onto the floor. Laying on his side, he watches the wheels go back and forth over and over again. Convinced he’s settled, I turn to find Winnie watching us.

“Hey, you.”

“Hey you,” she repeats.

“I have some work to do. Why don’t you order room service for you and Wes, then I’ll bring Tilly back to meet you both?” I watch her intently.

“Yeah, okay.” Her hand goes to her wrist, and I move to her with a sadness I can’t explain. “What’s the matter?”

Her gaze sweeps around the room before landing on me. “It’s stupid.” She laughs uncomfortably.

“Nothing you say or do is stupid. Just tell me.”

She lifts her gaze to the ceiling, then drops her face to her hands.

Slowly, I lean in and pull them away. “Whatever it is, you can always come to me.”

She shakes her head, and I see the insecurity I despise creeping in. “It’s just, I’m twenty-eight years old and I’ve never ordered room service before. I have no idea how much to tip them or if you’re supposed to tip them. This,” she gestures around the room with her hand, “is so much more than I’ve ever experienced.”

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my wallet, grab a twenty-dollar bill, and place it in her palm. “This will cover it, and anything you order will be charged to the room. Get whatever you want, and get used to this, CC. You’re in my world now and you deserve nothing but the best.”

“What if I don’t fit here?”

I pull her into my chest. This insecure Winnie isn’t something I’m used to. “You fit with me, Winnie. Wherever I am, you fit.”

She slips her hand into my pocket, and I instantly go hard until I realize she just slipped my twenty back to me. “I have my own money. Not much, but enough to cover a tip,” she whispers. This is part of her stubborn independence. Her need to take care of herself.

I let it go. For now.

“Okay. Anything else before I find Tilly?”

“No. We’ll be okay.”

“I’ll only be a couple of hours. Make yourself at home. If you need anything, text me or call the front desk and they’ll bring you whatever you ask for.”

She nods and nibbles on her fingernails, so I place a kiss on her head. When she pulls away, I turn to kiss Wes on the head, too.

“I’ll be back soon, buddy.” His little lip quivers, and it’s enough to make me cancel every plan I have for the rest of my life. “I promise. I’ll be back soon. I just have to work for a little bit, okay?”

Winnie swoops in to distract him. “Go ahead. We’re fine.”

A war breaks out in my heart, but eventually, I nod because words would hurt too much right now. Damn that kid. He could break me wide open with that sad expression. When I reach the front door, he’s back to giggling with Winnie and the pain eases slightly. Ripping open the door, I hope Tilly is ready to get to work because this will be the fastest meeting we’ve ever had.

Colton: Meet me in the conference room on the second floor in five?