Page 16 of Wicked Love

She stares at me for a long time and then nods.

“Okay,” she says finally. “I’m glad that for at least one night, I was the exception.”

She turns and moves toward the reception desk. She gives me one last look over her shoulder and lifts her hand, smiling before she turns and talks to the clerk.

I can’t help but feel like I’ve blown it.

For at least one night, I was the exception…

Something in Poppy’s tone makes me tune in and I take a step closer.

“But when I left my bag here before the wedding, you assured me I had a room,” she says.

“I’m so sorry,” the girl says, looking mortified. “We had a shift change and our usual staff wasn’t here because they were attending the wedding. I’m afraid your room has been given to someone else when you didn’t check in before ten o’clock this evening.”

“I didn’t know there was a time limit on checking in,” Poppy says. She sounds near tears, but then her shoulders straighten. “It’s okay. I’ll drink some caffeine and head home.” She lets out a long exhale and nods.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am.”

“It’s okay. I should’ve checked in earlier. Would you mind grabbing my bag, please?”

“I’d be happy to,” the clerk says.

She walks back and when I step next to Poppy, she jumps.

“I didn’t know you were still here,” she says, wincing.

“I overheard what happened. I have a large suite. You’re welcome to stay with us.”

“I couldn’t,” she says, shaking her head.

“Why not?”

She presses her lips together and they shift to the side. “That’s something friends would do.”

“Well, then consider us friends for the night,” I say, only half teasing.

She rolls her eyes before closing them, but she smiles, and when she opens her eyes, I see how exhausted she really is.

“Okay. I’m saying yes, but only because I’m sleepy. It’s been a long week and an even longer day.”

I nod. “Good. You shouldn’t have to drive all the way back to Silver Hills tonight.” I glance at my watch and wince. More like one thirty in the morning.

The clerk rolls Poppy’s bag out and Poppy thanks her. I reach out and take the bag. Our walk to the elevator is quiet and when we step inside, she goes to the opposite wall and leans against it. The elevator dings and we step out, our footsteps quietly padding across the carpet. When I open the door to my suite, I hear Poppy’s gasp and look down at her stunned face.

“This place has always been nice, but it was recently remodeled and it’s next level.”

“Gorgeous,” she whispers.

I point to the couch. “I’ll take the couch and you can go into that room there.”

She frowns. “I’ll take the couch.”

“Absolutely not.”

She makes a face. “You really want to try to fit on that couch? Good luck with that.”

“If Becca wakes up and sees you sleeping out here, she’s going to have questions for the rest of my lifetime.”

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