“See, this is why I’m not offering to swap rooms with you tonight, even though mine’s a gorgeous luxury suite.”
“How luxurious?” I asked. Having seen the staff accommodation with the shared toilets and ablution facilities, I was not looking forward to my sleep tonight. Coupled with the fact that the bed was very small and uncomfortable.
“Lap of luxury,” he teased.
“I have to share showers.”
“Really?”
“And let me tell you, those shower curtains are not what they used to be. You can almost see right through them.”
His face turned serious and solemn. “See through them?”
“You would probably have to put your face all the way up to the curtain, but it is flimsy enough that I plan on showering much later tonight after everyone has already gone to bed.”
“Okay, let’s swap rooms.”
“Max, don’t be ridiculous. You’re not staying in my room because someone might see my boobs through a shower curtain.”
“Maybe I don’t want anyone to see them.”
“Maybe they are mine to show to whomever I choose.”
He smiled at me, then looked me up and down. “You are absolutely right, but I am kind of hoping that lands up being me.”
“Stop flirting. I have work to do and it is very distracting.”
“Can I at least see your room?”
“For what reason?”
He shrugged. “Who knows? There might be an emergency in the night and maybe I need to come and find you, or—”
“Lame excuse,” I said back to him quickly. “But I do need to get mosquito repellent, so I suppose I cannot stop you from coming with me.”
“Lead the way.” He gestured for me to go and I began walking through the lodge. I needed my repellent. It was that time of day when the little fuckers would be waking up and no doubt coming after me. I had only one more thing to do, but I did not want to end up with ten thousand bites.
Max followed close behind me, and when I got to my door, I slipped the key in and pushed it open. He walked past me and into the room. He did one full circle in it and then shot me a very displeased look.
“You can’t sleep here tonight,” he said.
“Why not?”
“Uh . . . I wouldn’t let my llama sleep here.”
I laughed and started digging through my bag for the cream. “I think I’ll live. I’ve slept in far worse. When you’re studying and shooting cheap student films, you get used to places like these.”
“Seriously, though. I don’t like the idea of you sleeping here, and having to share showers and—”
I stood up and gave him a look. “I can take care of myself, remember? I don’t need you inspecting my room and deciding I can’t sleep here and then swapping rooms with me. I’ve been taking care of myself very well for the past thirteen years without you being all protective.”
He looked at me, something like sadness crossing his face. “You do take care of yourself.”
“I do.”
“You take very good care of yourself.” He held out his hand for my mosquito repellent cream and I gave it to him. “You shouldn’t always have to take care of yourself, though. Sometimes it’s nice to let someone else help you reach the difficult spots that you can’t reach alone.” His words were loaded. “Take off your top.”
I locked eyes with him and then very unashamedly removed my T-shirt. His eyes immediately drifted down to my breasts, and he made zero attempt at hiding that fact. I smiled at him and turned around, giving him access to my back.
