Page 155 of Positively Pricked

With his gaze locked on mine, he said, "Spend the day with me."

Even now, I wasn’t quite sure what he was asking. But it didn't matter, because I already knew the answer, and I'd already given it with that simple nod.

Still, I felt a sudden urge to tease him. "Are you sure that was a question? It didn't sound like a question."

"I'll take that as a yes." He glanced past me, toward my room. "Get changed. Throw on jeans, shorts, whatever. I'll be knocking in ten minutes." He leaned tantalizing close. "And if you don't answer…"

I was smiling now. "What, you'll leave?"

To my surprise and delight, he actually smiled back. "No. I'll bust down the door. Andmakeyou say yes."

There were a million things I might've said in response. I might've pointed out that the owner of the hotel might be unhappy if he trashed the place. Or, I might've reminded him that the doors inthisestablishment were even stronger than they looked. I might've even suggested that as the hotel's owner, he surely had smarter ways to get inside without resorting to brute force.

But his suggestion – of actually going out instead of staying in – was so unexpected that all I could do was nod again. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I was too far gone to turn back now.

And the way it looked, I wasn't the only one.