Page 14 of Kiss and Tell

But Banner hasn’t given her one look that’s out of the way. He hasn’t given Cord or Aaron a look either, so they clearly aren’t doing it for him. I can’t help but wonder, what makes him… happy? Or horny? What does it for Banner Arden? What would a girl have to do to turn him on so bad that the quiet exterior he wears like a cape vanishes? What would you have to do, to be, to make him act like some of the heroes he portrays?

“Okay, everyone. I assume you know at least which level your room is on? If not come see me or Tina and we’ll help you find out where you’re bedding down. Meet back here in ten.”

Sarah might sound like she is all business, but she gives more grade school teacher vibes than Hollywood director ones and I for one love her. Her assistant, Tina, is the one who has the clipboard, looks too serious, and seems kind of stern. I don’t know a lot about her though so that might be way off who she really is.

The next person through the door is Mary Jo and right behind her is the photographer from the other day. “Hey, it’s you!”

“It’s me, babe! I am going to kiss so much ass for being able to be here. Oh my God!”

I start to laugh when a hand lands on my arm and starts pulling me towards the stairs. I really need to find out what his name is so I can address him as something other than ‘The Photographer’ even though I don’t think he would mind being titled that way. I look at the big man walking beside me, the one who reached out to take my hand in his.

“Did you know he was coming?”

“Yeah. I asked Sarah to extend an invitation to him. I figured it’s good for publicity and he did such good shots from the other day.”

“What, um, what’s his name? I hate to keep calling him ‘The Photographer’.”

“He would probably love that actually, but just so you know, it’s Dane. No last name he says. Just Dane.”

“Just Dane?”

“Just Dane. When I asked, he said all the greats all go by just one name and started giving me a rundown of every singer, actor, artist, and writer that has ever been known by just one name.” He chuckles at the memory, and I start relaxing as we go up first one flight of stairs and then take another couple of steps up once we reach the second story or in this case, the third story since all of downstairs is in the back facing the lake. I think he said there was a movie theater somewhere down there.

“So, um, we’re on the top floor?”

“Yep. Our rooms are right beside one another.”

“Oh.”My face goes blank as I try to hide the fact our rooms are together surprises me. “Is anyone else up here?”

“Nope. Just you and me. But Sarah’s room is down the little steps, and I think Tina is there too. I honestly don’t know where everyone else’s rooms are. But… here we are.”

Chapter Fourteen

Banner

I put her bags down on the floor between the two rooms. “So, I guess we go into each of them and find out which one we want.”

“Okay. Sounds good.”

She opens the first door and both of us step in and the flaw in my plan becomes glaringly apparent. I am standing in the room with Wisteria… and a big ass bed. Dirty thoughts hit me fully as soon as I take in the fluffy pillows and soft sheets that have been turned down just waiting for me to toss her into it. This bedroom has a stone fireplace like the one in the living room but much smaller. One side of the wall is all windows and right outside is a huge balcony with overstuffed chairs.

“Wow! This room is so… big.”

I screw my mouth up, but she sees the smile I’m trying to hide.

“You are so trying not to say, ‘that’s what she said’, aren’t you?”

“Oh yeah!” We share a laugh as we go deeper into the room so we can look through the bathroom.

“Oh my God! This is freakin’ gorgeous. Look! Look at that tub!”

“Am I to assume this one is the one you will be taking?”

“I am not agreeing on anything until I take a look at the other room. What’s behind this door?”

She opens the door to the side, and we find out the two main rooms…share a bathroom. I see the look on her face before she turns to me.

“Is this going to be a problem, you think?”

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