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Chapter 14
Misunderstanding – when two people aren’t using the same terminology and get into a fight about it
“Here’s the key to your room,” the receptionist says and hands Beckett two key cards. He smiles at me before nodding to the person behind me.
“Excuse me, I was here first. Can you check me in now?” I interrupt before he can greet the other customer.
“I checked you in.”
“No, you didn’t. You checked Mr. Dempsey in. I’m Ms. West.”
His brow furrows as he consults his computer. “I only have one room reserved for Clean Mountain Environment.”
“There must be a mistake. We’ll need two rooms for the night.”
“I’m sorry, but we’re fully booked due to the convention.”
“Can you recommend another hotel?”
Before the receptionist has a chance to respond, Beckett tags my hand and drags me away.
“What is wrong with you?” I ask when I manage to free my hand from his. “I’m trying to fix the mistake your PA made. You can rest assured I’ll be mentioning this to her when we return to White Bridge. This type of mistake is completely unacceptable.”
“You won’t be mentioning anything to Brandi,” he growls, and tingles erupt in my core at the sound.
I ignore the feeling. This is not the appropriate time for my sexual attraction to the man to make itself known.
“Fine. Do it yourself. It doesn’t matter. Now, can I go find a hotel room? I’m tired and my feet hurt.”
I whirl around to march to the reception desk, but Beckett shackles my wrist to stop me. He rubs his thumb in circles over my skin and the tingles in my core multiply until I feel a warmth spread throughout my body.
I yank my hand out of his grasp and retreat several feet. Distance is what I need. Distance will ensure I don’t act on this ridiculous chemistry between us.
“Stop it.”
He smirks. “Stop what?”
“I don’t want to play games with you. You know exactly what I mean.” I wait until he nods in understanding before continuing, “I’m going to fix this mess. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I stride to the receptionist's desk with Beckett on my heels. Of course, he doesn’t let me be. Since the Litha festival, he hasn’t left me alone. He’s pushed and pushed and pushed. I should have never let my hair down with him – literally or figuratively. I have learned my lesson and filed the information away for future encounters.
“I’m sorry,” the receptionist says when it’s finally my turn again. “I’ve contacted every hotel in the downtown area. No one has any openings this evening.”
“Every hotel? It’s highly unlikely every single hotel room in San Francisco is booked. There are 34,000 hotel rooms in this city. There must be an available room somewhere.”
“Maybe I can find a hotel room in Oakland for you?” he suggests.
“No,” Beckett barks. “You’re not staying in Oakland.”
“Why not? I admit Oakland is the tenth most dangerous metro city in the country with a crime rate four times higher than the national average, but I won’t be strolling down the city streets in the middle of the night. I will be safely secure in my hotel room the entire time.”
He rubs a hand down his face. “The tenth most dangerous metro city in the country? I don’t think so.”
I frown. “Do you contend my data is incorrect?”
“No, I contend you staying in a hotel in the tenth most dangerous metro city in the country.”
I ignore him to tell the receptionist, “Your suggestion is acceptable. Could you please procure me a hotel room in Oakland?”
