Chapter 16
Maeve
My brother crosses his arms over his broad chest. “Are you drunk?”
I plant my hands on my hips. “Of course not. I don’t get drunk on work nights.”
I mean, I am buzzed, but his presence has sobered me considerably.
Just what I need. My younger brother as my babysitter.
“Why are you all wet?” He gives me a once-over, then casts a glance at Kellin, who waits nearby with his face glued to his phone while Brody and I chat in private.
“Fountain accident.”
Shockingly, Brody doesn’t call me out on that obvious lie. “Is that guy giving you trouble?” He pops his knuckles. “If you need me to take care of someone, just ask.”
I slap my hand over my brother’s fist and push his arm down. “Don’t be ridiculous. Kellin’s a guest I’m showing around. You’re not taking care of anything, Brod.”
Brody’s eyes flick between us before narrowing. “Showing him around what? Your underwear?”
I clasp my hands together to stop myself from smacking him. “Is there something I can help you with, or are you just talking for your health?”
His hard stare informs me of his displeasure, but he can go suck on a lemon for all I care. He has no reason to complain.
After a few beats of silence, he scoffs. “Watch yourself, Maeve.”
After that sharp warning, he claps my shoulder, tosses Kellin another threatening glance, and disappears around the corner.
Not a moment too soon. My buzz is wearing off, but not as quickly as I’d like. Just preventing my body from swaying for that sixty-second conversation proved challenging.
Kellin appears at my side, and I melt into him, letting my head thump against his shoulder. “Ugh. Brothers suck, in case you were wondering.”
He stares at the corner where Brody disappeared. “They can definitely try your patience sometimes.”
With my directions, he steers us toward the service elevator bank nestled near the back corner.
Euphoria swirls through my system as we walk. My fingers and toes are icicles, but my insides feel as warm and gooey as a marshmallow.
A day out with Kellin was exactly what I needed.
Even though I’m soaking wet and back at the Cypress, I’m not ready for the day to end.
When we get in the elevator, I push the number for Kellin’s floor instead of mine.
He smirks. “Where are we headed now?”
“My place is too far. Tonight, I’m staying with you.” I’m proud when my decree only comes out a little slurred. And too far is relative, right? Even if my place is actually located a floor below his room?
Kellin chuckles. “You could use a shower. And maybe some coffee.”
The trip up to Kellin’s room passes in a happy blur.
First I’m watching the carpet pattern sway as I walk, his arm steady at my waist. Then he opens his door, and I spin into his suite like a tween twirling in a brand new dress.
He leads me to the bathroom, and my heart starts to hop.
My eyes zero in on the buttons of his shirt.
That needs to come off.
Kellin starts the shower. As soon as he faces me again, I go for his buttons, fumbling with them one at a time.
His hands coil around my wrists, stopping me.
“Your clothes will get wet, silly.” I drop my head back and find him peering at me with obvious amusement.
“I won’t be joining you.”
Disappointment pierces my alcohol-fueled haze. Despite my pouting, he leaves me alone to shower by myself, closing the door softly.
Fine. Spoilsport.
I strip off my salt-stiff clothes and climb beneath the spray.
The heat of the water fails to put a dent in the lust swirling through my system.
I’ve been imagining Kellin’s hands on me all night. Now, all alone in his suite, nothing stands in our way.
I finish showering and towel off.
Kellin left me a clean button-down and a pair of boxers.
I ignore the boxers, pull on the shirt, and slip out of the bathroom.
Kellin’s sitting on his couch, legs crossed as he reads on a tablet.
He glances up as I pad across the thick carpet. Sucking in a breath, he drops the tablet and rises. “Damn it, Maeve.”
Maybe he’s upset that I didn’t button up the shirt.
Whoops.
As his gaze drinks me in, he makes no attempt to hide the hunger blazing in his eyes. He’s practically growling under his breath. “This must be penance.”
Quick, agile, definitely pissed off fingers start fastening my buttons from the top-down.
I sigh and tilt my head to the side. “You’re doing it all wrong.”
He freezes. “What?”
“You’re supposed to take the shirt off me.”
“Maeve.”
“Kellin,” I mimic.
I tug on his arms, daring him to release the buttons and cocoon my body.
He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Stop trying to seduce me.” Yup, definitely a growl.
He resumes covering me up.
Somewhere beneath the tingling buzz of champagne, the rejection grips my stomach. “Why?”
“Because I need a rain check.” He finishes the last button and moves his hands to my waist. “And so do you. Now, bed.”
He steers me toward his bedroom.
“But—” My protest cuts off with a squeal when he shoves me onto the bed. “Oh, that’s more like it!”
“For fuck’s sake. Nothing’s happening tonight.”
I blink. “Why not?”
He rolls me over with heat smoldering in his fathomless brown eyes. After performing a leisurely head-to-toe inspection, his gaze settles on my face.
“The first time I fuck you, you’re going to be sober.” With surprising gentleness, he maneuvers me under the covers. “I don’t want you to forget a single detail of how hard I make you come.”
An anticipatory shiver dances over my body. “Do I at least get a goodnight kiss?”
Another growl gutters deep in his throat as his hungry mouth finds mine, obliging me.
He pulls back far too quickly and tucks me in in a way no one has for nearly twenty years.
“Kellin?”
Another deep, long-suffering sigh. “Yes?”
I yawn. In this comfy bed, in the sheets that smell sweet—like Kellin—drowsiness creeps up on me like a shadow. “This was the best night I’ve had in a really long time.”
A brief pause. “Me too,” Kellin murmurs. Even though his handsome face hovers close to mine, his voice sounds distant, as if he’s speaking from the next room.
I sigh and rub my nose against his. “I really like you.” My eyelids droop. “I’m so glad to finally spend some time with a man who isn’t like…my family…”
Darkness drags me over the edge into dreamless slumber.
Overnight, I only wake once. It’s still dark.
Before I stir, a strong arm slides around my waist. Someone nuzzles my neck.
“Go back to sleep, Maeve.”
Blearily, I close my eyes and slip away again.
The next time I rouse, my first thought is to wonder why I’m in the wrong hotel room.
I blink rapidly at the ceiling as early morning light bleeds in through the window.
While I wait for my brain to wake up, I take stock of my surroundings. I’m deeply comfortable, mostly naked, and my hair feels like a bird’s nest. Also, my head…ouch.
Not the worst hangover of my life, but clearly, my brain isn’t happy with me either.
My heart breaks into a jog. Where am I?
Memories of last night’s events slam into me with the force of a speeding bullet. My eyes go wide as saucers as mortification boils me alive.
I slap my hands over my face, which only intensifies the headache pulsing at my temples.
More flashbacks from last night assault me, triggering an urge to die on the spot. I all but threw myself at Kellin.
Please no.
When the shame spiral eases enough for me to sit up, I scan the bedroom. Some of the tension releases from my shoulders once I realize I’m alone.
Yesterday’s clothes hang in the bathroom.
Even my panties—kill me now. I reach for my dress, grimacing when my fingers brush the damp, sandy fabric.
I can’t risk running into an employee while doing the walk of shame.
Little would they know that the only real shame from last night involved my unreciprocated attempts at seducing a guest.
I need to call for backup.
I rifle around Kellin’s suite until I find my purse. Once I retrieve my phone from its depths, I type an emergency message to Lenora.
L, please go to my suite, grab me some clothes, and leave them outside Room 704.
That’s Kellin’s room! Lenora practically squeals through the text. On my way. I’ll drop them off, but I expect every single detail later.
I roll my eyes and pace the floor. The minutes that tick past while I wait for the clothes are the longest of my life. Lenora is quick, but somehow in that short timeframe, I manage to relive every major mistake of my life leading up to and including last night.
After Lenora drops off my outfit, I rush to get dressed.
There’s no telling what kind of mayhem awaits me at work, and I’m already starting off on the wrong foot.
Once I’m fresh, clean, and fully dressed, I attack my hair, work it into a messy bun, and stuff the proof of last night’s humiliation in the bag to drop off at the laundry later.
My heart surges into my throat when I thrust the door open and find Kellin on the other side.
“On your way out?” In his hands, he holds a steaming cup and a breakfast sandwich.
I pray he doesn’t hear my gurgling stomach.
Based on his smile, though, he definitely did.
“Sounds like I got here just in the nick of time.”
He offers me the coffee and food. I’m late, embarrassed, and starving, so I don’t protest. I snag both, mumble a thank you, and bolt as fast as I can.
By the time I reach my office, I’ve guzzled the entire cup of coffee and scarfed down an absolutely delicious bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. I’m halfway to my chair when my phone dings in my pocket.
I check the screen, expecting the day’s first catastrophe.
Instead, I see a text from Kellin.
Don’t forget…you owe me a rain check.
A flush of heat envelops me, and I can’t hold back the smile that spreads across my face.