Page 8 of The Making of Jonty Bloom
“Two?” bellowed the major.
“Not chocolate ones,” Jonty called back.
“Jolly good.”
“I’m going to be very sad if the world ends today and I didn’t get a chocolate biscuit with myinstantcoffee.”
Jonty risked a glance at the guy’s face. The wrinkles in his forehead had gone though he still looked…wrong.
Sad.
Yep, he looked sad. Not pissed off. Jonty melted.Sadhe could handle.Sadhe understood.Sadhe could forgive.
“The major had the last chocolate biscuit. He does outrank you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re Mr Smith not Colonel Smith.”
“Maybe I’m here incognito.”
Jonty gulped and his brain took a leap. A big one, as it often tended to do.Not army, but a hotel inspector? All those comments when he’d stood at the desk.It all made sense now. Maybe the guy was giving him another chance. A conversation that wasn’t snappy or snarly or too personal.
“So is my room ready?”
“I was just going to check, sir.”
“You didn’t think to do that before you made the coffee?”
What? The bloody…Jonty sucked in his cheeks.Keep calm. Be kind to the sad man.“I thought you might appreciate the drink now, because you’ve had a long, difficult journey. Why don’t I take the coffee away and bring it back after I’ve found out your room isn’t ready?”Shit!Sarcasm had slipped out.Jonty reached for the tray and the guy caught his sleeve.
The breath hitched in his throat. The touch only lasted for a moment, though the shock of it happening lingered. The resulting pause was most definitely pregnant. What was the guy thinking?
“I’m surprised you’re still working here with an attitude like yours.”
You arsehole!Jonty didn’t want to lose this job.
So apologise!
“I’m sorry if I offended you.” Jonty spoke through gritted teeth and knew the guy had registered that. “I’m sorry I gave you instant coffee rather than risked life and limb with the machine.”
This is not apologising.
Stuff you, Tay.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get a chocolate biscuit. I’m sorry you thought I was rude. I’m sorry I was sarcastic. I’m sorry your room isn’t ready. I’m sorry for breathing in your vicinity and stealing your oxygen.” Jonty paused.I’m sorry I still find you mouth-wateringly attractive even though you are a fucking nightmare.“Did I miss anything?”
“Am I checking in at Fawlty Towers?”
“Oh, you wanted Fawlty Towers? It’s down the road. I can cancel your booking and give you directions.”Off a cliff.
That earned him an incredulous look. “Leave the coffee. Go and check on the room.”
Jonty turned and headed for the dining room, resisting the impulse to rub his arm. The man hadn’t hurt him, he’d hardly touched him, but Jonty could still feel the press of his fingers through his jacket.And letting my mouth run away with me like that? What was I thinking?Mr Tricky so wasn’t his type. Except…
What is my type?
I can’t remember, Mr Picky. Are you right or left-handed?
