Page 10 of The Hotel Room

Kate laughed. “James isn’t like that.”

“Of course not.” Leah held up her hands, her tone placating but not entirely sincere. “I’m not saying he would. I’m just saying you two got together so young. You’ve never known anything else. It works for you, but—”

“It’s notluck,” Kate interrupted, heat creeping into her voice now. “We choose each other every day. It’s not some fairy tale, Leah. It’s real. And yeah, it takes effort, but we’re solid.”

Leah’s expression softened, as if she hadn’t expected the flare of emotion. “Okay. Okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to rain on your surprise getaway. Honestly, I’m jealous. I hope it’s everything you want it to be.”

Kate swallowed, forcing herself to relax, to let the tension go. Leah wasn’t trying to be cruel. She was just…guarded. Wounded in ways she never fully talked about.

“Thank you,” Kate said quietly. “I know you’re just looking out for me. But we’re good. I wouldn’t be doing this if we weren’t.”

Leah nodded, offering a small smile. “I get it. Go make your husband feel like the luckiest guy on the planet. I’ll hold down the fort.”

Kate managed a smile in return, stepping back toward the stairs. “Thank you. I left a list on the fridge if you need anything. I’ll be back tomorrow night. Probably.”

Leah raised an eyebrow. “Probably?”

Kate shrugged, teasing now. “Depends how distracted James keeps me.”

Leah laughed, waving her off. “Get out of here, romance novel heroine. I got this.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Kate

The adrenaline was still buzzing through Kate’s veins as she slipped the hotel key card back into her purse. She looked around the room. God, she feltbrilliant. Like a secret agent or some kind of seductive super spy.

She'd figured out how to log into James's hotel app earlier that day. All it took was a few taps to add herself as a guest and request a key at the front desk. When the concierge handed her the card with a polite smile, she’d barely resisted the urge to giggle. James was going tolovethis.

She wasn’t sure how long she had before James returned, so she changed out of her clothes quickly. The overnight bag she brought was zipped shut and discreetly plopped under the desk. Not the most masterful hiding place, but out of sight for a cursory glance. She wouldn’t need it until the morning anyway. She wouldn’t be thinking about pajamas tonight.

The lingerie felt...different.

Black lace, delicate but daring—far more revealing than anything she’d usually buy. The bra was basically transparent. The matching panties were just as bold, cut high at the hips with sheer panels. She vacillated between feeling alluring and foolish.

It was completely out of her comfort zone.

Tonight, she wanted to feel bold. She was going to seduce her husband and blow his mind.

For the next half hour, Kate positioned herself on the bed in a variety of poses, experimenting with different angles—on her elbows, stretched out along the sheets, sitting up against the pillows. She was trying to find a balance between looking seductive and not feeling completely ridiculous, but the longer she stayed there, the more awkward it felt.

Kate had the suspicion that when James walked in, she would mostly look like a deer in headlights.

She flopped back down from her latest attempt—propped up on her elbows, facing the door. She stared at the ceiling. Maybe it would be better to make a dramatic entrance.

Yes, that was a much better idea. She knew how to strut. And she knew how much James liked her legs. She rolled off the bed and crossed to the bathroom, pulling the door closed behind her.

She adjusted the lace lingerie in the mirror, her cheeks flushing as she smoothed the delicate black straps. There was nothing subtle about this outfit.

The bathroom wasn’t any better for her nerves and it was a little bit cold too. She blew out a breath as she looked at herself in the mirror. Maybe she should’ve stayed on the bed after all.

Her fingers hesitated over a stray strap, and she had just about convinced herself to go back to the sprawling alluringlyplan when she heard the door to the room open from the hallway.

Her heart leapt.He’s here.

The thrill curled low in her stomach, spreading warmth through her body.

This was it.

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