Page 76 of The Christmas Holiday
‘Positive. I can call some other hotels if you wish?’
‘Great. Just leave your camera with Mia if you’re going to be bloody miles away!’ Liv huffed.
OK. Time to end this.
‘You know what? It’s absolutely fine,’ I said, leaning over and swiping the keycards out of Hunter’s hand. ‘We’ll manage.I’m sure it’s probably two beds pushed together anyway. Not a problem.’
The man at the desk opened his mouth and I gave him a look. He snapped it shut and nodded vigorously instead.
‘Thanks.’ I stood, grabbing my laptop bag.
‘Are you sure?’ Liv asked, looking between Hunter and me.
Hunter looked anything but sure, but the alternatives were unworkable, not to mention stressing Livout. The glance I shot him said it all.
‘Sure,’ he agreed. ‘Totally. Absolutely not a problem.’ I gave him a subtle kick and he stopped the flow.
Liv’s face cleared and she reached up to give him a hug. ‘You two are the best. Thank you,’ she said, transferring the hug to me.
‘You’re welcome. Come on. Let’s go and check these rooms out.’
The room was stunning. All dark-wood furniture,with brilliant white linens and floaty voile curtains at the large patio door leading out on to the covered balcony. The bathroom was white marble with black accents, a deep bath and a separate, large, walk-in shower. Designer toiletries were displayed ready for use and piles of soft, fluffy towels tempted me immediately. I emerged from checking out the bathroom to find Hunter down on his handsand knees at the end of the bed.
‘What on earth are you doing?’
‘Looking to see if this is two beds pushed together.’
Something inside jabbed at me at his hurry to ensure he was as far away from me as possible when it came to sleeping arrangements.
‘Do you need a hand?’ I asked, struggling to keep the tightness out of my voice.
‘No.’
‘Hunter, I’m stronger than I look. I’mquite capable—’
‘It’s not two beds. I didn’t think it would be in a place like this. It’s one.’ He rubbed his hand over his jaw. ‘Look. I can sleep on that… thing.’ He pointed to a chaise longue which, from a quick assessment, looked like it might support him up to about his knees, if he was lucky.
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, Hunter.’ I tossed the keycards onto the dressing table and pushedpast him, grabbing cushions off the chaise. ‘Don’t be so ridiculous. You’ll be on the floor the first time you turn over.’ Heading back to the bed, I snagged a couple more soft furnishings and made a quick pillow wall down the centre of it. ‘There! Is that better? Hopefully it will go some way to relieving your fears that I’m going to jump you in the middle of the night!’ With that, I grabbed myKindle, kicked off my shoes and stalked out to the balcony, pulling the door closed behind me.
An hour later I woke up, having read precisely two pages before nodding off. I stretched, feeling stiff and still a little grouchy. I knew rationally that it didn’t make sense to be so upset at Hunter’s reaction to the room mix-up and his continued annoyance at finding the bed wasn’t one that couldbe separated. I wasn’t exactly thrilled about it either but I didn’t consider it the end of the world, as he apparently did. The damn thing was six feet wide anyway! Of course, it wasn’t ideal, but I had pyjamas and… oh God, I really hoped he had pyjamas! I shoved the thought out of my mind, opened the door and stepped back into the room.
‘Nice sleep?’ he asked, not looking up from where hewas peering at the screen of his laptop.
I tossed the Kindle on the bed. ‘How did you know I was asleep?’
‘Because you looked shattered when you went out there and reading always sent you to sleep quickly when you were tired.’
‘You could at least pretend not to know everything about me,’ I said, sitting on the end of the bed having fished out my flat, ribbon-tie sandals from the topof my case.
‘Says the woman who insisted on sharing a room.’ He looked up. ‘Where are you going?’
‘I did not “insist”, as you put it! It’s not my fault they cocked up the reservations and, believe me, I’d far rather have a room to myself, as you clearly would too. But Liv was getting worked up and upset, and there were no other rooms. What was I supposed to do? I was trying to help.’ Ifinished the second strap and stood, hands on hips. ‘I don’t suppose you would have been making such a fuss if you’d been able to bring the other journalist you wanted instead.’
Hunter’s eyes met mine and he held the gaze a moment before answering. ‘No. Probably not.’
His reply hurt more than I expected. And there was Liv talking about second chances. I gave a tight smile and snatcheda keycard from the dresser.
‘You didn’t answer.’
