Page 30 of Hot in the City
He was pretty sure Yuki didn't have to work today, but she was sound asleep in the Executive Suite, upstairs from the very same people she had been trying to dodge last night. She probably wouldn't be happy about still being here with him.
Declan thought about climbing back into bed, but he wouldn't get back to sleep. Not now. So, he headed for the shower. He needed the hot water, his back was a bit sore (for good reasons) and most of all, he needed time to think, before he talked to Yuki.
He didn't want to end things with her. But would a long-distance relationship be something she was open to?
Declan wasn't superstitious, but her crossed his fingers and made a Christmas wish. Hopefully, Yuki would still be his, after they had a chance to talk.
Yuki pretended to be asleep long enough to hear most of the conversation Declan had with his ex. She was resigning, saying goodbye. It didn't sound too warm and fuzzy. Good. Yuki wanted Declan all to herself, no use denying it.
She rolled over when Declan closed the bathroom door, and then she heard the shower running. With a glance at the clock on her side of the bed, she sat bolt upright. After eleven? Nearly lunchtime?
"Oh no! No, no, no..."
Yuki jumped out of bed and scampered to find her clothes. Just her little silver dress and a Santa jacket?
"No!" She couldn’t go downstairs looking like that.
She groaned with frustration as she put on her underwear and dress, baulking at the Santa gear. Imagine if she waltzed past her co-workers dressed like that. They would think she was delusional. If the shift manager saw her, she’d be out on her ear.
Melanie. She could help Yuki out of this mess. Maybe?
Yuki crossed the room to where her handbag lay on the table next to Declan's wallet. Fishing out her phone, she went to text Mel. She already had a message:
Melanie: Don't come downstairs. Security video! BTW nice hat Mrs Claus. Declan looks sexy ;)
"Noooo!"
The shower was still running in the bathroom. She flicked her head in that direction. Should she stay and talk to Declan, ask him to help her come up with a solution? He was a good man, but he’d have no idea how to help. No. She had to handle this, somehow.
She wrote a quick note on the hotel's fancy stationery, added her phone number, and searched in the wardrobe for one Declan's business shirts.
Yuki quickly popped on a white shirt over her dress, tied a knot in the front to bring it to mid-thigh length, almost completely covering her shiny dress. She tied her hair in a low ponytail and donned her sunglasses too. She checked her reflection in the mirror on the wardrobe door. With her head down, she was almost incognito. She could be any old guest walking out the front door. Hopefully.
"Right. Let's do this."
She was about to make a dash for it, when the bathroom door opened. A cloud of steam and a damp Declan, dressed only in a towel slung low on his hips, emerged with a sexy swagger in his walk. His trademark grin faded as he checked out her outfit, complete with shoes and sunglasses.
His eyebrows lifted, his brow creased. "Going somewhere?"
Her heart stalled for a moment. She had to explain. She yanked off her sunnies. "Oh Declan. It's the worst! Melanie texted me and said I shouldn't go downstairs and there's security video of me in a Santa hat from last night. I'm soooo fired!"
He grimaced, then moved towards her. "Were you just going to leave, without a word?"
"No. I mean yes, but I wrote you a note." She pointed at the table.
Silently, he walked to the table and grabbed the note, reading it in a few seconds. It was brief, it was true. He read it out loud:
Dear Declan,
Had a fun night! Hope to see you later. Call me if you want.
Yuki.
"You added a smiley face. At least you gave me your number before bailing on me. That's something, I guess." His voice was cold as a shard of ice.
Yuki shook her head. "It's not like that. I loved our night together. Honest. I just need to find a way out of here. That's all I can think about for now."
Declan shrugged. "I guess you're going then. I was going to suggest we have breakfast in bed, but if that's not what you want—"
