I pulled out my corporate card. “We’ll take it.”
“Charlotte—”
“It’s a business expense,” I said firmly. “The mill pays for it.”
Crew didn’t say a word, just took the card from my hand and gave the clerk his own credit card instead.
“You don’t have to—”
“Yeah, I do.”
The clerk processed the payment and handed over two key cards. “Room 507. Fifth floor. It’s a suite—our last available. Elevators are just past the breakfast area.”
We headed for the elevator, both of us silent. The tension between us was back in full force, made worse by what Crew had said in the truck. The elevator ride was silent, but I could feel him behind me, could feel the heat of his body, could see his reflection in the polished doors—his eyes on me, dark and hungry. The walk down the hall was silent. And when Crew slid the key card into the lock and pushed open the door.
The room had a sitting area, a desk, even a small kitchenette. A massive bathroom visible through an open door.
And one bed.
One very large, very obvious king-sized bed, dominating the space and impossible to ignore.
I stood in the doorway, frozen, staring at that bed, my body screaming at me to stop fighting this, to give in, to take what we both wanted.
I was tired of being responsible, but I wasn’t quite brave.
“I’ll sleep on the couch,” I said, eyeing the small sofa that would be uncomfortable for anyone, let alone someone Crew’s size.
“No.” His voice was firm. Final. “You’ll sleep on the bed.”
“Crew, I can’t make you—”
“You’re not making me do anything.” He moved into the room, his presence filling the space. “You’ll sleep on the bed, Charlotte. That’s not up for discussion.”
The command in his voice should have irritated me. Should have made me bristle like I did with every other man who tried to tell me what to do. But not this time. No, my panties grew wet, my body going soft and pliant and ready.
“Then where will you sleep?” I asked, even though I could see the answer in his eyes. A sense of inevitability hung in the air. We both knew what was about to happen.
His eyes locked on mine, dark and full of promise. “With you.”
My breath caught. “Crew—”
“I’m done, Charlotte.” He took a step closer, and the look in his eyes made my knees weak. “I’m done with all of this. Done pretending I don’t want you. Done fighting it. Done staying away when all I can think about is touching you.”
Another step closer.
“So yeah, you’ll sleep on the bed. And we’ll sleep. Eventually.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Crew
The moment the words left my mouth, I knew there was no going back.
Charlotte stood there, eyes wide, lips parted, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. Snow from outside clung to her hair, melting into dark strands, and her cheeks were flushed from the cold. Or maybe from something else.
She looked beautiful. Uncertain. And so damn tempting I could barely breathe.
“Crew,” she whispered, my name a question on her lips.
