Page 86 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
Lina: Let’s just say my legs are still sore from our last cardio season.
My dick twitches. There is no way she’s going to get out of this.
Me: Now go check in so no one thinks any differently. I’ll go last.
Lina: I don’t like being told what to do.
Me: By me? You do.
I hit send, then glance over to see her standing a few feet in front of me. She looks back, arching a brow.
I give her a smirk, then turn to Christian, who keeps commenting about how our tracking app from the airline indicates there are favorable spots around here for a run.
“We could all head out on a jog before dinner,” Christian suggests.
I have no interest in running as a group. I hope I’m not the only one who isn’t in the mood.
“I might be up for a quick cardio session,” Avery comments, glancing at Lina, but Lina’s focus is on me. She quickly scrunches her nose, and I can tell we’re both on the same page about how we want this night to go.
“I don’t think we’re up for it today,” I say to the group while patting my friend’s shoulder.
“Fine. I’ll go by myself after dinner,” Christian complains.
From the corner of my eye, I see Avery, Lina, and two of the other flight attendants walk up to the counter. After letting everyone go before me, I’m the last to check in. Everyone bundles together off to the side, giving me plenty of privacy to inquire about a suite.
And if luck could not have been more on my side, they have one last suite available for the night.
Walking up to rejoin the group, I hear them start discussing dinner plans.
“What do you guys want to do for dinner?” Christian asks.
Avery shrugs her shoulders at the same time as one of the other flight attendants. I can’t remember her name. This is odd because I usually know everyone on the flight crew’s names. I must have been so wrapped up with fucking Lina in the bathroom on the plane that my mind is drawing a blank. And usually, a good lay clears my head.
My eyes drag back over to the sexy, tall blonde standing only a few feet away from me. She covers her mouth and laughs as she and Avery share a quiet joke. I could watch her all damn day.
“Well, since no one cares where we go, let’s meet at the outdoor restaurant down here,” I suggest, removing my cap and grabbing my luggage handle with the same hand.
I have a little surprise for her tonight, and the faster I get going, the better. I need to separate from the group not only to coordinate the surprise but also to head to my room, which is now a suite.
The group nods in unison before we all find the elevators. Our rooms are always on the same floor. I need to come up with an excuse to separate myself from them. My suite is in a different part of the hotel, so I hang back and let the rest of the group enter.
Everyone is in the middle of their own conversations when Lina’s big blue eyes find mine. Her eyebrows pinch together, and a confused expression crosses her face.
While shooting her a half smile, I hold out my phone, indicating to her to check her texts. She nods, blushing. I catch a slight nibble of her bottom lip as she follows the others into the small space.
“Aren’t you coming, Carter?” Christian twists around, sticking his arm out to stop the elevator doors from closing.
“I think I forgot my credit card at the counter.” I gesture behind me. “I’ll meet you guys at dinner.”
“Cool,” he replies, releasing the doors.
Lina cocks a hip against the guard railing attached to the mirrored walls. One arm casually rests over the extended handle of her black Tumi suitcase. She holds my stare until the two doors close.
I hastily sprint over to the concierge’s desk on the far side of the lobby.
As soon as I am within a foot of the desk, I burst out in a rushed tone, “How fast can you get me six dozen white roses?”
“For a lady, I assume?” The man isn’t fazed by my urgent request and simply straightens his tie.
