Not that he had a say, but he suspected everyone felt that way.
The security team checked the guys in prior to arrival, so they were quickly moved into an elevator and taken up to the floor that had been completely reserved for the guys and the crew. A security guard stood just outside the elevator, checking IDs for everyone who got off on the floor. He nodded to them as they stepped onto the floor.
Lonnie handed each of them a key card for their rooms, and Jake eagerly watched Claire to see which room she was in. Claire glanced at him briefly before following Ben down the hallway, throwing a look over her shoulder to see if Jake was following.
He smiled. She was just as eager as he was to see which rooms they were in.
Lonnie cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow. The look said, “Stop being so obvious.”
Jake chuckled and followed Claire and Ben. He was in room 1414. Ben stopped first at room 1410. Then Claire stopped at 1412. Jake’s heart jumped. Their rooms were all right in a row, with Claire’s room being between them.
He could kiss Celine. He wasn’t sure if she had done it on purpose, but he would bet she had.
“You guys have three hours before you need to get to your interview,” Lonnie said.
Claire unlocked her room, and Ben deposited her duffel bag inside before going back to his own door.
Before he entered his room, he stopped and turned toward Claire. “You good?”
She nodded. “I’m good.”
“Then I’m going to get a nap before we go. I couldn’t sleep last night.” He gave them a small wave before disappearing into his room.
Claire and Jake exchanged a look.
The last thing he wanted to do was sleep when he knew Claire would be in the empty room beside him.
He glanced down the hall to only find Lonnie chatting with the other security guard at the elevator. Then he stepped forward, took Claire’s hand and pulled her into his room before closing the door behind them. He dropped his duffel bag and took her key out of her hand, tossing it on top of the dresser beside his own.
“Jake,” she breathed just before his mouth descended on hers.
He flicked his tongue against her lips, and she widened them enough for him suck on her bottom lip. A low moan filled the room.
“Jake,” she whispered.
He pulled back. “Do you want this? Tell me now if you want me to stop.”
He stared into her eyes, which flicked between his. Then she nodded.
“I want this. I just want you to flip the privacy lock.”
He chuckled and knew she was remembering the time they had been in bed together sleeping when housekeeping keyed into the room. Despite Jake hopping up and telling them the room was occupied before they even saw Claire, it still had them both horrified, knowing it could have been someone from the tour with a master key.
He stepped over to the door, turned the privacy lock, and flipped the latch lock for good measure. No one would enter that room unless he let them in.
When he turned back to Claire, she smiled shyly at him. Jake stepped toward her and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded, casting her eyes down. He hooked a finger under her chin and tipped her face toward his.
“We don’t have to do anything.”
“It’s not that,” she whispered. She wrapped her arms around her middle. “I’m just not as skinny as I used to be.”
