Page 38 of The Physical Attraction Seminar
LYLA
“What doyou mean there’s only one bed?” I shoot Barrett a look, resting my arms on top of the check-in counter.
I’ve been on edge all morning. During our four-hour flight to Turks and Caicos, the air was thick with an uneasy tension. Aside from the flight attendant, who stayed hidden in the galley, Barrett and I were alone in the cabin. I assumed he would choose one of the chairs with a connecting table toward the back to answer emails, so I made myself comfortable near the front. But, much to my surprise, he sank into the club seat right across from me.
I already felt lightheaded from the thought of flying for the first time in nearly a decade, and the sight of him sitting face-to-face with me during my mid-takeoff panic made it feel like the air was being sucked out of the plane.
Being the person he is, Barrett talked me through a breathing exercise, his calming presence easing my anxiety one deep breath at a time.
Eventually, after my panic settled, he pulled out his laptop while I sat across from him, engrossed in the latest celebrity gossip on my phone. From time to time, I’d steal a glance over at him, and without fail, he’d already be looking at me.
I wasn’t ready to bring up the kiss from last night, but that didn’t mean that it wasn’t at the forefront of my mind. The last two nights have felt endless as I toss and turn, replaying the soft touch of his lips on an endless loop.
I’m torn between giving our connection a genuine shot and the fear of jeopardizing my job. Let’s be honest, if the board were to catch wind of our relationship, I would be packing up my desk, and Barrett would continue to sit comfortably in his corner office.
I’m tempted to take the risk since I’m still new to this job. Leaving Camila and Aspen would be tough since we were growing close, but I could easily call up Elliot and tell him things weren’t working out. Knowing him, he wouldn’t hesitate to pull some strings for me.
However, the more rational side of my brain knows that I should push my feelings for Barrett aside and stick it out here. This is a great job with great pay, and Barrett is already following through on his word, giving me responsibilities outside of my assistant jobs so I can grow.
I’d be naive to let go of all of that for a man.
The entire drive from the tarmac to the resort, I kept reminding myself that this was a work trip, and that I had to consciously keep my emotions in check. The almost kiss outside my apartment, therealkiss inside my apartment, they’re no longer allowed to haunt mythoughts. I’ve locked them away in a mental file folder that’s securely sealed until Saturday afternoon when I’m back in the comfort of my apartment.
Or so I thought, until a minute ago, when the sandy-haired concierge told us that our room only has a king-sized bed, triggering the overthinking once again.
How am I expected to lay in bed next to this gorgeous man and not think about kissing him?
I’m already overwhelmed, and the thought of me and mybossbeing cramped together in the same room is pushing me to my breaking point. Never mind the fact that said boss and I shared a kiss that left me dizzy and unable to think straight less than twenty-four hours ago.
I’ll sleep on a raft in the ocean before I have to spend the night next to him. If I drift out to sea, so be it.
“The reservation here says five-night stay in the presidential suite.”
“Would you mind checking again to make sure you pulled the right reservation?” I ask the concierge with a sweet smile before looking over at Barrett, who has his brows tightly knit together as he mutters something about human resource violations.
He thumbs through his phone with a huff while I share an awkward half-smile with the gray-haired woman waiting in line behind us.
To my left, the lobby boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that accentuate the picturesque scene of the crystal blue water. Even inside, the unmistakable smell of the salty air lingers in the air.
I let out a small sigh.
As much as I enjoyed my time at Solus, our annual team-building conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center couldn’t hold a candle to the beauty of this place.
Taking a quick scan of the area, it seems that we are the only ones dressed in business attire. Everyone else seems to be dressed in colorful tropical button-ups and khakis, blending in with the vibrant surroundings.
Strange.
Since Barrett didn't specify a dress code, I assumed it was business casual, but now I'm starting to wonder if it's actually more casual than I thought.
A minute later, Barrett’s voice cuts through the silence as he confidently states, “I have the email right here. Reservation confirmation for Shoreline Beach & Resort…” His triumphant expression slowly drops as he continues reading the email from his phone. “… for one presidential suite.” He pinches the bridge of his nose, mumbling a stream of expletives under his breath. “Is there any chance you have other rooms available? A last-minute cancellation or something?”
The concierge shakes his head in response.
“I’ll pay. Name a price… any price.”
“Sorry, sir. I couldn’t accept the offer even if I wanted to. Events like this sell out within minutes, and since the international air guitar championship is taking place here this week as well, we’re at max capacity.”
“I can’t tell if you’re joking.” With a slight tilt of his head, Barrett squints at the man, tryingto read him.
