Chapter 12 Only A Day
ONLY A DAY
“Dinner was nice,” she said. “The view was breathtaking. Especially lit up.”
“I always thought so,” he said. “But you are surrounded by stunning views every day of your life.”
She smiled. “No. I’m in an office with a tiny window to the parking lot. Hunter, he’s got the million-dollar view.”
Not just in his office but also the penthouse that he and his family lived in.
If she wanted a view, she got it at work walking the grounds. Not in her one-bedroom apartment where she faced another parking lot or more buildings.
“Do you ever stay at The Retreat as a guest and just experience it? You know, live it to explain it?”
She laughed. “No. I’m sure if I asked I could, but I wouldn’t dream of it. There is no reason to. I’ve been on the property for years. We’ve had a lot of weddings in the family there also.”
There’d been no reason for her to step foot in The Retreat until she interviewed for the job.
Her family wouldn’t visit there. Not for a vacation or a special night away. Only ever a family event.
It wasn’t until she was already employed that weddings started to happen that she’d been invited to.
“Which is why you’re prepared with a dress,” he said. “One that I can’t wait to see.”
“I clean up well,” she said, laughing.
She’d set her purse on the small table in their hotel room. It was eight and her feet were dragging.
There was a small couch off to the side of the bed where they could both watch TV at a good distance before sleep.
It was silly for them to do that, but considerate that he’d offered.
“I’m sure you do,” he said.
“I’m assuming you’re getting dressed at your grandmother’s tomorrow?”
“I’m going to run over and get a suit in the morning and then come back here. No reason to go that early and just be in the way.”
“Or have to talk to people?”
“I don’t mind talking to my grandmother, but she’ll be busy.”
“I can tell by the look on your face you’re not happy about that.”
“What gave it away? The frown or my sneer?”
She moved to the couch and sat, he did the same.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“She’s too old—and she’d smack me for saying that, but it’s the truth—to be hosting this event.”
“Did she offer her house to your cousin? It’s his grandmother too.”
“As far as I know, Nick asked. My grandmother would never say no. She loves her two grandsons.”
“That bothers you to say it, but I can tell she loves you more.”
His hand nudged her arm. “Shhh. That’s between my grandmother and me.”
Her eyes rolled. “I’m sure it’s a well-known secret. Didn’t your cousin have a wedding planner for this?”
“He’s letting Courtney do everything. I heard from my grandmother that he wanted one and she’d said no that she had it covered.”
“Yet you don’t think Courtney does?”
“Nope. I bet you do a lot with weddings, don’t you?”
“Actually, no. There is a wedding planner and she has a few staff. They also take care of all events. But I work closely with that team since customer service is parallel to it.”
“Got it,” he said. “Don’t judge here. I’m positive things won’t go as smoothly as Courtney hopes. Or that my father thinks. He’ll make snide remarks.”
“That’s not nice.”
“My father isn’t a nice person. He’s charismatically snooty. Arrogantly a dickhead. Women seem to love it.”
“Oh, I doubt it. Though there are plenty that find that attractive. What they love more is his wallet.”
Arik laughed. “That’s a given.”
“I’m sorry, but the thought of kissing, let alone climbing into bed with a man old enough to be my father.” She shivered. “Can’t do it. Sorry.”
“My father has had just as much work done on his face as my mother. He doesn’t always look it. Under his clothes, that’s another story. Bet he has an endless supply of blue pills to keep the women happy.”
“Eww, Arik. That’s nasty.”
“Yes. Yes, it is. Welcome to my world.”
“It’s only a day,” she said.
“Barely that.”
“And there are other people around.”
“You,” he said. “You’re the only one I plan on talking to.”
“Come on,” she said. “You can’t do that and you know it. You’re not going to be glued to my side the whole time, are you? I’m going to have to go to the bathroom at some point.”
“I’ll give you some breathing room,” he said. “But I don’t want you to be overwhelmed either. You’re doing me a huge favor and I’m not willing to run the risk of you hating me when this is over.”
She squinted at his charming smile. She’d bet he got that from his father, but wouldn’t say that. No reason to cause a fight.
“I doubt that could happen,” she said.
“Don’t place money on a bet you don’t know the odds of.”
She stood up. “You’re right. Don’t worry about me. I’m used to mingling with people.”
“And being quietly correct and proper. You’ll know all the right things to say and do.”
She frowned. “You’re making me sound boring.”
“My family will think that, but I know differently. Or are you going to tell me you’ll act there like you do around me? Me, I’m positive you’re going to treat this just like your job.”
She sighed. It had been her plan.
When in crowds of unfamiliar faces, she fell back on her quiet, calm demeanor.
It’d always benefited her before and got her through the time without ruffling feathers or leaving an impact.
That was her.
The woman who blended into the crowd as a number rather than a figure of strength.
Nothing wrong with that in her eyes.
Not everyone had to be center stage.
“If it gets us through the day, what’s the harm? I’m going to get ready for bed. Today has been tiring and it sounds as if we’ll both need our strength for tomorrow.”
And the sooner they got in bed the better.
She was positive she’d be staring at the ceiling most of the night.
“Sure,” he said. “You can go first.”
She grabbed her small toiletry bag from her suitcase, a T-shirt and shorts. She didn’t sleep in fancy pajamas. Not even shorts. Just a T-shirt but tonight she’d have bottoms on and hoped the extra layer didn’t get tangled up and give her another reason to be uncomfortable.
After she brushed her teeth and cleaned her face, she changed and returned to the room.
Arik had the TV on, and his long legs stretched out in front of him.
“It’s all yours,” she said.
Natalie felt his eyes on her as she went back to her suitcase to put her dirty clothes in. The door shut to the bathroom without her watching.
She let out a long breath she hadn’t been aware she was holding, then pulled the comforter back and slid her legs inside of it.
When Arik came out a few minutes later in a pair of shorts, no shirt, she had all she could do to pull her eyes away.
She hadn’t planned this out that well.
Was he teasing her? Testing her?
Trying to light the sheets on fire? Because the way her toes were curling and squirming around, she was positive the cotton was going to ignite in seconds.
And that smirk on his face. Yeah, he knew exactly what he was doing to her.
On purpose most likely.
Two could play at that game. She could remove her shorts but wouldn’t.
That’d be childish.
Just like him grabbing the pillow from the other side of the bed and tossing it on the couch that barely fit the two of them sitting on it.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “This bed is plenty big enough.”
“What?”
“We’re both adults and have slept with other people. I mean, I’m assuming you’ve spent the night with another person, but maybe I’m wrong.”
“I have,” he said. “Many times.”
“Stop bragging,” she said, smiling. “Get in bed. It’s huge. We’ve been on a few dates, we aren’t strangers, and if it makes you feel better, we can put a wall of pillows up between us. I’ll stay on my side, I promise.”
His reaction was exactly what she’d been going for.
Wide eyes, mouth open, then lips tilting to the side.
“Okay, okay. If you promise to keep your hands to yourself, then I suppose I can sleep on this side, hanging off the edge.”
“Don’t be a wuss.”
He laughed and pulled the covers back, sliding in next to her with his shorts, that he had to lift and shift down.
She’d bet anything he wasn’t used to sleeping with as many clothes on either.
“Anything you normally watch before bed? Or do you read? Talk to yourself? Meditate?”
“TV is good,” she said. “I don’t care what. I try not to watch anything that will get my heart racing; otherwise it defeats the purpose of lulling me to sleep.”
“Guess porn is out,” he said.
He wanted to play some more. “Porn is good. That puts me right to sleep. Go ahead.”
The stare he sent her had the laugh bubbling up her chest and escaping out in a snorting sound, which caused his eyebrows to rise higher.
“You’re pulling my leg, right?”
“I can’t pull your leg way over there,” she said, grinning, then fluffing her pillows and lying down. “Put on anything you want. I’m not fussy.”
“It’s only eight thirty,” he said. “Do you normally go to sleep this early?”
“No. I get ready around nine, then watch TV for an hour or until I fall asleep. But unless you want to talk, there isn’t much to do here. That couch isn’t all that comfortable either. Or maybe you’re used to living in hotels and can relax easier than me.”
“Depends on the place. I guess you’re right. I’m used to looking at it as my home and entertaining myself.” He yawned and then stretched. Not even exaggerated. “But it’s been a long day, so TV is good. Tomorrow I’ll spend most of my time back here apologizing to you for my family’s behavior.”
Her hand reached for his, then she stopped herself. Best not to tempt fate touching him in bed.
“Don’t apologize for other people you have no control over.”
“Not always easy to do, but you’ll understand more tomorrow.”
She was positive he was yanking her along.
When he said nothing else and turned the light off while he flipped through the channels and she felt the heat of his body on the other side of the bed, she wondered what the hell she had gotten herself into.