Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Willow
“Mrs. Kubica, I am so glad that you and Spottyetta had a great walk this morning.” I lean down and pat the muddy dog on its head. She looks up at me with a hopeful expression, but I have no treats to give her.
“Oh, thank you, Willow. She just loves being up here in Whispering Haven. As do I. We both want to thank you for the dog treats; I can't tell you how spoiled you make us both feel.”
“It's my pleasure. We are so grateful for your support.”
“Of course, I will always come here. You and the girls are wonderful. Well… except for...” She wrinkles her nose. “You know who I’m talking about.” She sniffs and looks around like she’s scared somebody might be listening to our conversation.
I try not to laugh. Mrs. Kubica has only met Charlotte twice, but both times, my cousin was absolutely horrific to her and her “stinky dog,” as she’d called her.
“I think I do,” I say diplomatically. As much as I’d love to talk shit about Charlotte, it just wouldn’t be professional.
“Well,” Mrs. Kubica continues, “I think I'm going to go up to my room, have a long bath with some Epsom salts, and then maybe dinner could be delivered to me.”
“Sure. Did you already place an order?” I ask, looking through the notes on the desktop.
“I thought I would get some Italian from that place up the street—Pastatioria.”
“Oh, okay. Did you already call in the order?”
“I called them, dear, but they don’t deliver. So I was hoping…” She offers me a small smile as her voice trails off. I already know what she’s asking.
“Well, don’t worry. One of us will pick up the food for you. What time would you like to eat?”
“Oh, thank you, dear. Maybe 6:00 p.m.”
“Perfect. If I'm not able to do it, I’ll get Katherine to pick it up, as she’s working this afternoon.”
“Oh, great. Ooh!” she says loudly. “Your young man is here.” She points to the side of the room, and I try not to groan. She could never be in the CIA; she has no idea what covert means. I want to say, “Get it together, Mrs. Kubica,” but I can’t be rude.
“My what?” I look around the lobby quickly and freeze as I see Sebastian standing next to the staircase.
There’s a confident smile on his face, and my heart flutters.
The man should be charged for being so hot, and I should be charged for being so easily impressed and taken by him.
I want to tell him he’s a smooth criminal as a joke, but I don’t want him to think I’m some sort of loser with bad puns.
“Oh, he’s not my young man, Mrs. Kubica.” I lower my voice to hint to her to keep it down.
“He looks at you like he wants to eat you, dear.” She offers me a huge wink. “And trust me, I’m not so old that I don’t remember those days.” My jaw drops at her comment. Who knew Mrs. Kubica had it in her?
“Come on, Spottyetta. Let’s leave Willow to her gentleman.”
“He’s not my...” I start, but she and the dog walk away quickly. I watch as Sebastian strides over to the front desk. His shirt fits him like a second skin. The man is too sexy for this hotel lobby.
“Hey,” he says. “How are you?”
“I’m good. How are you?” It’s been a day since I last saw him.
He hadn’t ordered any breakfast this morning, and honestly, I was glad.
I’m still slightly discombobulated from the things said and the way he treated me.
The reprieve was nice because I wasn’t sure I could keep up with the gamut of emotions running through me.
The man has me floating in the clouds, and I am scared I'm in for a loud bump when I fall back to earth.
“You look beautiful this morning,” he says, grinning, his elbows on the counter as he leans forward. “I like that dress.”
“Thank you.” I glance down at the blue dress I’d gotten years ago at Old Navy. It certainly wasn’t anything special, but I’m still happy for the compliment. “Can I help you? Is there anything I could—”
“I’m mesmerized by you, Willow.”
“What?” I know my jaw wants to drop, but I won’t let it. His brown eyes gaze into mine, full of wonder and appreciation.
“I know it’s quite gauche to admit this, but I find you beautiful… stunning… magical. Do you like being spoiled?” he asks, eyes glittering.
I start laughing. “Doesn’t every woman like being spoiled? I mean, that’s practically a requirement of having a boyfriend, don’t you think?” I’m just joking, but I see his eyes narrow for a few seconds before he nods.
“Can I ask you a question, Willow? Something that’s been on my mind. I hope you won’t think it too nosy of me.”
“I don’t have a boyfriend, if that’s what you’re asking.” I grin at him.
“Not my question.” He grins. “I hoped that you didn’t have a boyfriend after our previous date.”
“Well… yeah, I mean, maybe I had a casual boyfriend, but I have no real boyfriend.”
“That’s good to know,” he says. “I have no real girlfriend.”
“Ooh, okay. Not that I asked, of course. I mean, I didn’t ask, but it’s good information to know.” I giggle. “So, was that your only question?”
“That wasn’t my question at all, actually.”
“Oh? What was your question?” If he asks me to go on a date right now, I don’t know what I’ll say.
I can’t go because Katherine’s not coming in for another couple of hours.
And even though Mrs. Kubica is our only guest and no one else is scheduled to show up today, I still can’t leave.
It would totally be irresponsible, and that just isn’t me.
Plus, I am waiting on a call from the Magnolia Club to see when my next shift is.
“I was wondering why you work at the front desk?”
“What?” I stare at him in confusion, shaking my head. Not what I’d expected him to ask.
He stands up straight, rolling up the sleeves of his white shirt. “I mean, what with you owning the hotel…” He shrugs. “I’m just surprised that you work at the front desk and cook and make beds, and all the other things that you do.”
I stare at him for a couple of seconds, frowning slightly at his words. What is he talking about?
And then it hits me. He thinks I own the hotel.
That must be why he’s been interested. That must be why he asked me on a date.
He thinks I own Whispering Haven Bed now you’re working here. Is it because you’re hoping to meet…” He pauses. “Men? Or women? Or whoever can help you?”
“Help me?” I frown. “I don’t know that anyone helps me.
But yeah, I guess it’s really cool to own your own business.
Especially a bed and breakfast like this.
” Now, I’m not technically telling him the truth, but I’m not lying either.
I’m not saying I own the hotel, and I’m not saying I don’t.
I just hope he doesn’t read between the lines.
“You must feel empowered working here and owning it,” he says. “It’s really cool to own your own business, especially as a single woman.”
“Why especially?” I’m affronted. “Would you say that to a single man?”
“Touché. No, I wouldn’t.” He dips his head. “My apologies.”
“Accepted. I will say that the Whispering Haven Bed and Breakfast is gorgeous and amazing,” I say, nodding. “Guests really enjoy staying here, and it makes me proud to be a part of that experience.”
“So were your parents rich or…?” His voice trails off.
“I think it’s cool if you have rich parents, but some of us weren’t so lucky,” I say, trying not to think of my mom and dad. “Some of us are self-made women. We do what we have to do to make money and support ourselves.”
He grimaces, and I wonder if I’ve touched a nerve. I googled him and know he comes from money. Maybe he thinks I’m judging him. Maybe he thinks I don’t think he’s done much himself.
Now I regret my words. I wish I could take them back.
“I think that’s a really good way to look at it,” he says finally, smiling. “Being a self-made woman must feel good to you.”
“I suppose so,” I say, already wishing I could take back my words.
“I want to tell you that I’m so impressed by you, Willow. You’re a hard worker.”
“Oh, thanks. But you don’t have to say that—”
“I want to say that I admire that quality in you. I also think you’re quite pretty.”
“You already said that.”
“I know. Maybe I was hoping for you to offer a compliment back.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “I mean, you don’t have to. Not if you don’t have any you wish to proffer.”
“Are you wanting me to tell you that you’re handsome?
” I shake my head and roll my eyes. “Now, Sebastian, I don’t know you very well, but I know there must be countless women who tell you how good-looking you are.
” I giggle slightly because it’s true. He’s gorgeous.
His hair is dark and silky, his features sharp and perfect.
He’s rich. “I bet if we lined up ten women, at least nine of them would want to date you.”
“Only nine?” He frowns. “Why not all ten?”
“Do you want all ten?”
“No,” he says softly. “I think I only want one.”
My mouth goes dry at his words. The way he’s looking at me is making me shiver: it’s so intense, so sultry. It’s almost like he’s saying I’m the one. Which he can’t be. There’s just no way. This man doesn’t even know me.
“So, what are you doing later today?” he asks.
“Working,” I nod slowly. “That’s what I do most days.”
“Yeah,” he says, “but what do you do when you want to have fun?”
I stare at him for a couple of seconds. I can’t tell him that drinking wine and gossiping with my best friends is my idea of fun. So I try to think of something—anything—to make myself sound like a better, more well-rounded person.
“Oh, I like hiking,” I lie, because it’s the first thing that comes to mind.
“Have you been hiking anywhere cool?”
“Not really. You?”
“A couple of mountains.” He grins. “Kilimanjaro.”
“Wow. You hiked Kilimanjaro?”
“Just once.” He laughs.
“One more time than me.”
“I did Machu Picchu, as well.”
“Wow. In Peru?”
He nods. “Ever been?”
“No, not yet,” I say wistfully. “But one day.”
“One day soon,” he says.
I grin at him, though the truth is, I don’t see any international travel happening for a long time.
Every spare penny I have is going into a joint account with my friends so we can actually buy our own hotel.
But I’m not going to tell him that. I don’t want him to think that dating him has anything to do with money.
I’m sure plenty of women have tried to use him. I don’t want to be one of them. And if he has to believe I already have money, then so be it. I want to get to know him. I want to see if this is real.
“Sebastian, I do have a compliment for you.”
“What’s that?” he asks, raising one silky dark eyebrow.
“I like your voice. It’s deep and confident, and it has this soothing sound. You’re the sort of guy who could narrate audiobooks and make me fall asleep at night.”
“Are you saying you want my voice to be the last thing you hear before you go to bed?” His voice deepens, and he winks.
I swallow hard and nod softly. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
I grin, because it’s fun flirting with him, and I’m going to let myself enjoy whatever this is.
“What about my voice?” I ask. “Would you want me to read you a story?”
“No,” he says, leaning in closer. “The last thing I would want to hear before we go to bed is your moans. Loud, clear, and screaming my name.”
“Oh…” I blush, and he chuckles.
“So,” he says easily, “I think I’d like to reserve my room for a couple more nights, if that’s okay.”
“Sure,” I squeak out. “How many more?”
“I’m not sure yet.” He grins. “But for now, put in three. You can charge it to the same credit card.”
“Okay,” I say, surprised by how smoothly he changed the subject, and grateful for the change. Because how could I even respond to what he just said? I mean, I could say Let’s go to your room right now so you can hear me moaning your name, but I’m not that confident. Even if I wish I were.
“And hey,” he adds with a sexy smile. “What about tomorrow?”
“Yeah?” I ask. “What about tomorrow?”
“You want to go for a hike with me? I’m looking forward to our second official date.”
“Our second official date?” I repeat, licking my lips nervously. Why did I say I like hiking? Fuck!
“Yeah. And who knows? Maybe by the evening, we’ll go on our third.” He grins. “Or maybe our third date will be inside.”
“Inside where?” I lean forward, staring into his eyes.
“Inside my room.” He presses his lips together, and I watch his eyes trace up and down my body. Then he takes a step back and fans his face.
“Okay, I’d better go for a swim. I’m heating up, and I think I need to cool down.”
“Enjoy,” I say. “The water is very cool right now.” I don’t know what else to say. My body feels like it is on fire, as well. “Just like you.”
“I like that you said that,” he says, chuckling. “I’m trying to be cool as well. I just don’t think I’m quite there yet.”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“I’m trying to play it cool with you, Willow. I’m taken by you. I feel a deep connection to you, and I don’t want to overwhelm you. I’m trying to play it real cool, but I don’t think that I am.”
“It’s okay,” I say softly. “I don’t mind.”
“You don’t mind that I very desperately want to get to know you better? That I very desperately want to make you a part of my life?”
I shake my head slowly. “I don’t mind at all.”
Because maybe, just maybe, I’m looking forward to that, too. Not that I’m going to tell him that. I don’t want him to know I want to jump his bones.