Page 6 of Don't Tell

She’s definitely gutsy, I’ll give her that. I wonder if she’s like this with all guests, or if I’m just naturally infuriating. I’d rather the latter. I’ll prefer if this side of Suzanne is preserved just for me, especially since I don’t get a lot of it in my daily life.

“She speaks.” Suzanne glares at me. I wonder what her smile will look like. Probably as captivating as her frown. “Tell me…what will it take for you to keep my secret?”

“I won’t tell anyone. I promise. So if you’ll excuse me…” She nods and starts turning around.

“Suzanne…”

She stops moving.

“We’re not done here.” I finally get up from the bed. I do this slowly, because there is a thin gray hum behind my eyes that suggests whatever I drank last night is not entirely out of me.

I cross to the chair by the window and pull on the pair of trousers the woman from last night stripped from me. If only I knew she also planned to disappear with other, more important possessions.

Slowly, I slip each leg into my pants until my lower region is fully covered. When I turn, she is still standing exactly where she was.

I realize I’ve been too conversational. I let my attraction get the best of me. Just as I did last night. Well, it was more thanthat. I needed a drink and some company. No strings attached. The woman clearly didn’t get the memo.

Suzanne doesn’t speak. I look at her, but her eyes stay fixed on the wall like she’s doing everything she can not to look at me. What a shame.

“I won’t tell anyone. Whatever happens in this room stays in this room. It’s hotel policy.”

“Hmm.”

It might be hotel policy. She might even be telling the truth. I can see it in her eyes. Suzanne doesn’t strike me as a gossip. But I didn't get this far by taking people at their word. I made sure they could never double-cross me.

"That won't be enough."

"Excuse me?"

"Your word. It won't be enough." I button the trousers. "I'm going to need you to sign a non-disclosure agreement. I'll compensate you generously.” I offer her a smile. “I'm very good at compensation."

She gasps. Her face twists in disgust. “Excuse me? What do you take me for?”

“What do you think?” I tilt my head.

I take a step forward. She doesn’t move back. Now that I’m closer, I can see her better. Her eyes are fierce and unyielding. Her dark hair is pulled back so tight it shows the line of her temple, the delicious curve of her neck. Her eyebrows are thick and bushy, framing almond-shaped eyes and an angular face.

Like I said earlier, beautiful. But very, very angry.

She huffs and turns away from me. “I’m not signing anything.”

“You don’t have a choice. I won’t let you leave this room unless you do.”

“Really? Are you going to cuff me to the bed as well? Hold me hostage?”

I grin. Feisty. “Don’t tempt me, Suzanne.”

Our eyes meet again. My body jerks involuntarily. She’s still frowning. But it’s more than annoyance. I’ve gotten under her skin. I’ve made her uncomfortable. Good.

“Look… I’m not allowed to tell anyway. So you can just…”

“Sign the document.”

“Why won’t you — ” She stops. Her face suddenly drains of all color from her cheekbones down to her neck. Her hand comes up to rest on my desk beside her, but it doesn’t reach it.

I don’t give myself time to think. The moment I see her knees give way, I’m across the room. My hands reach out instinctively, and I catch her before she can hit the floor. Her weight comes into my chest in a single soft drop. Her head tips against my shoulder. Her mouth is moving, mumbling something. I don’t hear it.

I lift her and carry her to the bed. She weighs almost nothing, which gives me a clue as to why she’s currently unconscious in my arms. Her cheek against my collarbone is hot and dry. I don’t mind having her in my arms. The mechanics surprise me.