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“Glad you came.” Mikah met her gaze with a long look faceted with sincerity, interest, and desire. The combo sent a pulse of heat through her.
“Me too.” Her voice came out excited. She needed to dial that back if she didn’t want to reveal how over-the-top into him she was.
Mikah stroked her cheek once and then turned his attention to the road. He checked the mirrors, changed gears, and merged onto the lane.
They were on their way.
Piper twined her left hand with his right. The warmth and contrast of his masculine fingers against hers further stoked her yearning to be touched by him, all over, for a long time. They only had tonight and tomorrow together. Then Mikah had to check in with the team. They hadn’t even shared one night, and a greedy need to hold him longer flitted through her. She gave his strong, capable body a onceover as Mikah concentrated on the road. His handsome features weakened her knees, his physique sent trills of excitement through to her core, and the intent passion and affection in his eyes when he’d greeted her had melted her heart. “Sure you have to stay with the team tomorrow night?” Her voice was soft in the darkness of the vehicle.
“Yep, or I get fined.” Mikah tightened his fingers on hers, and his voice was rueful. “Too easy to be late or get in trouble when we’re left on our own.”
Piper snickered. She knew that was true.
“Just the way it is.”
Such a guy phrase.
Ah well, she wouldn’t worry about tomorrow, she’d enjoy the moment. She’d make their limited time on this trip special, kick off their relationship right with this quick romantic getaway. Would there be a spa package? Silk sheets? Puffy pillows to roll around on in the bed? “How’d you hear about this resort?”
“Kiernan recommended it.”
The rest of the ride, she and Mikah spoke about her classes and what he liked about school and loved about hockey, and despite the lateness, the hour went quickly. Mikah slowed and put the blinker on. The tires crunched on loose gravel, and a neon vacancy sign pointed to a low strip of rooms, looked like a shitty motel. Maybe there was something special inside: retractable roof to stargaze, heart-shaped jacuzzi, quirky fun theme, something…
Piper waited in the car while Mikah got the key and hit the lock on the doors until he returned.
He got their backpacks from the back and opened her door. “Number 112.” His voice held doubt that didn’t reassure her.
Her sandals crunched on the gravel pavement. Piper accidentally kicked an empty beer bottle in her path, sending the glass spinning. Pain shot up her toe, Piper gave a hop but held in the exclamation the way she was holding in her doubts. She was not going to be the whiny girly-girl.
Mikah placed the key in the rusted lock.
Was this a test to prove she didn’t care about his money? No problem. She’d pass. She was fine with inexpensive. Champagne and rose petals in a cheap motel could still be sweet.
Mikah held the door to the dark room. She strode right in. Quiet darkness could be super fun with the right man, and that was Mikah.
He flipped the light switch. A deer-shaped lamp on the wooden bedside table buzzed on. Dim light glowed from underneath its raised tail, revealing shabby carpets and shadows. The door’s security arm slammed the door shut behind them, sealing them off from the fresh night air. The interior had a distinct sour smell.
“No.” The word came involuntarily from her mouth, and her head shook from side to side because the word wasn’t expressive enough.
Mikah got out his phone. “Kiernan, you piece of shit.”
Laughter came through the speaker.
“Dude.”
More laughter.
Piper stood eye-to-eye with an antlered rabbit mounted on the wall. A taxidermist had found that mashup clever, the hotel owner had agreed and purchased the beast. How had Kiernan even found this place? She could not and would not make her feet take another step into the room.
Loud porn noises came from the other side of the thin wall, lending wings to her feet. Piper backed out. “Know how I said I didn’t care where we stayed? I was wrong.”
She grabbed the car keys from Mikah and went out to the rental, searching the internet for a better hotel. Mikah returned the motel room key and was seated in the driver’s side in five minutes.
Piper turned the phone screen to him, showing him her mid-range chain hotel selection.
He nodded.
Due to the secluded nature of the first dive, it was three am before they arrived at the new place. Piper wanted to make this a laughing, inside joke, but she was tired, disappointed, and a little hurt Mikah hadn’t cared enough about their first night together to plan better. Ignoring her pretty lingerie, she grabbed a t-shirt from her bag, changed in the bathroom, and crawled into bed. She didn’t know if the romancing mood was still a go on his side or not, but hers was closed. “Goodnight.”
