No Vacancy (The Aveline Series Book 2)

Chapter 25

PENN

I had just steppedinto the shower, sinking into the hot water, when I heard a subtle knock on my door. I listened carefully, wondering if maybe it was the neighboring room or a mistake, but when I heard a loud thud, I knew it was coming from mine. I grabbed the towel that was hanging on the hook next to the shower, having no time to dry myself off in the process. The knocking was happening at an alarmingly fast rate, and I worried something may have happened.

I opened the door quickly, nothing on but a white hotel towel wrapped hazardously around my waist, and watched Darcy’s fist halt midair. Her eyes grew wide, and her hand stayed frozen for a moment as she gasped.

“Jumpin’ Joseph on a pogo stick! Why are you naked?” She sounded shocked, but she kept her eyes on mine, never wavering. I wondered if it was an alpha dominance trait. If she was trying to show she was unbothered by me.

“Did you just say, ‘Jumping Joseph on a pogo stick?’” I crossed my arms, leaning up against the doorframe, amused.

She cleared her throat. “I, well, yes, I did. It’s Lettie. She always says that, and I never thought I’d see the day it would come out of my mouth but—” She cut herself off and continued. “It doesn’t matter. You were clearly in the shower, and I interrupted you.”

“I don’t mind,” I replied. I liked seeing her flustered. She was always so sharp and steady, and here she was with a candy apple shade of red appearing on her cheeks.

She rolled her eyes. I’d figured that was coming soon enough. “Well, I do.”

“And why is that? Is my body distracting you?” I winked playfully, and she scoffed.

“Absolutely not,” she replied. “It’s just, you...still smell, and I’m certain you didn’t get a chance to wash yourself.”

I laughed. “Okay, you’re welcome to come in and wait while I finish up.” I opened the door a little wider, stepping out of her way. “Maybe you can tell me what exactly you’re doing here.”

To my surprise, she followed me in, surveying my room as though she’d never seen it before. She kept quiet, a first for her, and picked up a hat I had on the bed.

“A Cubs fan, huh?”

“Through and through. There has and never will be anyone as good as the man, Sammy Sosa.” I watched her face scrunch in disgust and crossed my arms. “Do not tell me you’re a Yankees fan.”

“I have a tattoo of Babe Ruth on my back,” she replied, her face stoic.

“Yeah, right,” I said, walking toward her. She began backing up, keeping her distance from me. “Can I see it?

“Not a chance.” She backed up further, hiding her back against the wall.

I ran my tongue over my teeth, knowing damn well she didn’t have a tattoo of Babe Ruth but suddenly wondering if she had any at all.

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” I turned around and headed to the bathroom coyly, only to get caught by the doorknob.

In an instant, I went from heading to the shower to standing in the doorway, my towel around my ankles and my bare ass exposed.

Darcy gasped behind me, and I slowly walked into the bathroom and shut the door. Before I stepped back in the shower, I heard her giggle, and I couldn’t help but smile.