Page 46 of Spurred On

It took everything in him not to run.

Now, Tibby was a beautiful girl—her mama had been a Miss Texas at one point—but looks weren’t everything. To his credit, he hadn’t know her true nature when he’d asked her out all those years ago. If he had, he’d never have made that mistake.

It was one he continued to regret. Right along with the predatory glint in her eye.

“Hey Tibby,” he said in as casual a tone as he could muster. “How are you enjoying the party?”

She put out a lip. “Not very much.”

“Really?” He frowned. He took customer satisfaction very seriously. “What’s wrong?”

“Well, for one thing, you never came to your room last night.”

A shiver walked down his spine. “I, ah, what?”

She stepped closer—too close—and batted her lashes. “I waited for you.”

“You waited for me in my room?” He’d suspected as much, but the confirmation made him feel no better.

“In your bed,” she whispered. “Naked.”

Oh God. He had to remember to change the sheets.

“I was disappointed when you didn’t come . . .”

Well, he had. In another room, another bed, but she probably didn’t want to hear about that.

“Tibby, you know the third floor is off-limits to guests.” There were signs posted everywhere.

“I know.” She eased closer and stared up into his eyes. Her hand closed on his crotch.

He grabbed her wrist. “That’s, ah, off-limits too.”

“Don’t be coy. I know you want it.”

How on earth could he wriggle out of this without offending her? She was a customer, after all. They had a rule about not offending customers.

But honestly. She was one truly offending customer.

“Look, Tibby—” His protest was cut off when the door behind him—the one she’d backed him up against—opened and he tumbled inside. He’d never been so relieved to fall on his ass.

Because he stared up into the one face he’d been hoping to see. “Ah. Sidney.” He reached up a hand and she helped him to his feet. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“You have?” She didn’t seem pleased.

“You have?” Tibby wasn’t pleased either. Her gaze cut from Cody to Sidney and back again. Her lip curled.

“There’s a problem with your booking.” He grasped at the first straw that popped into his mind.

Sidney plopped her fists on her hips and frowned at him. “What problem?”

“Let’s go to the office. I can explain it to you there.”

“Why can’t you explain it to me here?” The glimmer in her eye made it clear she knew damn well this was a desperate ploy to escape Tibby, and from her smirk, he suspected she was not inclined to help.

She had to help.

He was in dire danger of being mauled.