Page 85 of Slumming It

"Really?" I tried to think. "So you're staying at four different hotels?" If true, this was an ominous development because it suggested that hewashere to buy up the whole town, including the hotels.

My stomach sank.I was dancing with Monopoly Man.

Of course, the man holding me now was a lot younger, hotter, and wore no top hat, but the point remained.He was here to seize control of the entire board.

Thathadto be it.

I was still considering the ramifications when he said, "It's not four hotels. It's just two." And then at my obvious confusion, he explained, "I've got the suite here and the three rooms at your place. That makes four total."

Relief flooded through me even as I asked, "But why?"

Sounding surprisingly nonchalant, he replied, "Why not?"

I still felt like I was missing something. "So I’m a little curious…were you staying here at the resort all along?"

"Nope."

"So when did you check in?"

"Today."

"Oh." A new realization hit like a freight train. "So you'll be checking out of our hotel tomorrow then?"Did this mean I wouldn't be seeing him again?The thought bothered me more than it should have.

It couldn't be because I would miss him. That would be silly. So my disappointment must be due to something else.

The money – thathadto be it.

I should have thought of this first. At our hotel, he had paid us in advance for two whole weeks, but he had stayed for only a few days.Would he be wanting a refund?

Poor Vivian.

But then I recalled the cash in my pocket. I'd already mentally added it to the funds needed for the down payment on the hotel, but Icoulduse the money to pay for the refund instead.

I was just starting to work out the math when Reese Murdock said with a laugh, "You're not getting rid of me that easily."

I hated to get my hopes up. "Really?"

"I'm not giving up the rooms if that's what you're worried about."

Heat flooded my face. "How could you tell I was worried?"

"I could see it on your face." His lips quirked in a smile. "And now you're blushing."

"Am I?" Of course it was a stupid question. I'd felt the blush, and now I was blushing even more.

Still, I felt incredibly relieved – and not only because of the money.

Maybe Iwascrazy.

Now that I wasn't worried about the refund, I was free to obsess over other things – like whether or not Reese Murdock was as terrific in bed as the rumors suggested.

The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to find out for myself. After all, guys like Reese Murdock didn't come along every day. It wasn't because he was rich. It was because he was exciting – hard and dangerous with a softer side that made me feel gooey all over.

In my mind, I could still hear what he'd said at the bar.They were rude to someone I care about.It was so sweet and chivalrous, I hardly knew what to think.

I was starting to like this guy a lot more than I ever anticipated. Sure, I didn't love him. And I knew he didn't loveme.

But Ididwant him.