Page 78 of Just This Once

The car fit in,at least. I picked out a Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, and then a Lamborghini almost immediately when I arrived. ButIcertainly didn’t fit in. I was still in my jean shorts with the frayed edges, a purple cami, and flip-flops.

As soon as I walked into the lobby, which had an impressive fish tank that stretched up from the floor to at least the third floor, one of the receptionists did a double take.

“Can I help you, miss?”

Knowing I needed to act as if I belonged before they really did escort me away, I smiled brightly and strolled over. “Yes. I believe I should have a key card waiting for me.”

The woman lifted one eyebrow as she glanced over my attire. But all she said was, “Name, please?”

“Hope,” I answered, before wondering if it would be under Parker’s name instead. “Hope Langston.”

Computer keys clacked as the woman typed with a slight squint until she found whatever she was looking for. Eyebrows lifting in surprise, she pulled back and told me, “Yes. Here you are. The presidential suite B. It has a balcony with a perfect view of the bay and your own private pool and hot tub.”

When she slid her gaze to me in question, I swallowed my nerves and merely nodded. “Sounds about right.”

Parker didn’t flaunt his money often, but when he did, he went all out.

Two minutes later, after I’d turned over my proper form of identification, the receptionist slid my key card across the marble counter, pointed out the elevator, and instructed me how to reach my room.

I sent her a tight smile, trying not to get sick to my stomach because this was really happening. Parker had reserved the nicest damn room in the whole town for us to have sex in.

Jeez Louise, what had I gotten myself into?

I was about to go directly up there and check the place out. But then I remembered that I’d already stowed all my preparations in shopping bags in the frunk of the Lucid Air. I decided to carry them up now so I wouldn’t have to worry about it tomorrow when I was sure my brain would be complete mush.

In the elevator, the attendant asked which floor I needed, and when I told him twelve, he glanced suspiciously at my armful of plastic grocery sacks and then asked me to use my key card to unlock that floor for him. I had to hold my breath as I waved the card over the sensor, sure it wouldn’t work. But a second later, a green light flashed and the elevator began to ascend.

Shit. This was really happening.

When the car paused to let me out on the top floor, I found myself in yet another elegant lobby with only three doors branching off from it and a second reception desk to greet me.

The woman at the desk glanced up and smiled warmly. “Miss Langston?” she guessed.

My mouth gaped. “Uh…yeah. Hi. I’m Hope.”

“Bridget,” she greeted, already hurrying around the counter. “Here. Your arms are full; let me get your door for you.”

“Thanks.” I flushed in embarrassment, really feeling like a hick now.

But Bridget was a doll and unlocked my door before holding it open and smiling brightly. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”

“Oh! Um. No. No thanks. I believe I’m good.”

Orbetterthan good. This place was freaking ridiculous.

I paused before entering and simply just peered inside. The foyer was probably bigger than my entire apartment. “Appreciate it,” I told Bridget with one last glance at her.

“Sure thing, hon,” she answered. “I’ll be here all night.”

“Right,” I breathed in anxiety, sending her a grateful smile before cautiously stepping over the threshold.

She shut the door behind me, and I was in.

With a heavy gulp, I glanced up at the chandelier that hung from a ceiling that had to be twenty feet tall.

Out of my depth, I set my bags of goodies on the round table in the center of the foyer, and then I just peered around me at the mahogany walls, lined with gold trim.

Feeling like Dorothy in theWizard of Oz, I crossed the marble floor, my flip-flops slapping loudly against the tiles until I reached an all-glass wall that peered out over a sizable balcony which hosted a mini pool with an attached hot tub and bar.

---