AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mason snorted. "Of course she did. Your grandmother is something else."
She met his gaze with an arched brow. "Your grandfather isn't any better."
He grinned. "You've got me there."
Her blush deepened, and her eyes grew brighter. She lowered her arms and sat up, pulling the hem of her dress down and smoothing the edges nervously. "You don't have to ask for another room if you don't want to."
His pulse raced as his chest tightened. "Are you saying you want me to stay here with you? Share the bed?"
She shrugged. "I wouldn't be opposed to it."
He smiled at the words, reminding him of their night at Christmas. "I wouldn't be opposed to it either."
His words were too soft, but he didn't want her to get the wrong impression. He opened his mouth to clarify, but she spoke first.
She took a deep breath and blurted out, "We could share the bed. The couch isn't going to be comfortable with your injury. The bed's a king, plenty big enough for the two of us."
He stared at her and felt his body heat. "Lucy, if we share the bed, things might happen."
She shrugged, avoiding his gaze. His brain raced to find an excuse to keep her away.
"I didn't bring any condoms," he said, then winced. That wasn't the best reason, but it'd have to do.
Her cheeks flushed all the way down her chest. "Actually, I'm on the birth control shot, so that's covered."
His vision went white on the edges before everything hyper focused on her. It was like his ex-girlfriend all over again. That coy look, that blush.
But Lucy's not Amanda.
He knew that. Somewhere in his mind, he knew that. But he struggled to push past the memories while still keeping her from getting too close.
He had to change the subject before he did something or said something dumb.
He cleared his throat and turned back to the hotel's amenities book, keeping her in his peripheral vision. "I can't babysit you or entertain you. I have work to do. You understand that, don't you?"
Her spine straightened as she scowled up at him. "I don't need a fucking babysitter, Mason. But just so we're clear. You don't have a girlfriend or wife tucked away somewhere, do you?"
He pursed his lips and shook his head. "Hell no."
Not anymore.
She frowned. "Rather opinionated about that, aren't you?"
He leaned forward, hands on his knees. "Lucy, I told you before that I can't be in a relationship. I'm not looking for one, I don't want one, and this is going nowhere. Do you understand?"
Her brown eyes narrowed, but she nodded before standing up and walking to her bag by the kitchenette. How had he missed seeing that earlier?
She sniffed as she said, "That's fine with me. We can share the bed and if more happens, cool. If not, whatever. As long as some other girl doesn't come after me in a jealous fit, it'll be fine. I don't have time for a boyfriend anyway. I'm here for some fun experiences that I can use in my book, and that's it."
He flipped through the menu as a tightness pressed on his chest. He refused to analyze why. "Did you want something to eat or not? We can order now and take a swim while we wait. My back is dying to try the hot tub."
She gave him an order for a burger as she unpacked her bag, so he called it in. This was going to be a long vacation as he tried to keep her at arm's length. Or at the very least, keep this a casual fling. Just the thought of it made his head and chest hurt even more.
Chapter 12
Lucy finished unpacking and pulled out her makeup and accessory bags, hanging them up and untangling some necklaces.
She glanced around the bathroom, which actually had two doors. The first led to the small room with double sinks and the toilet. Then another door led to the jetted tub with a frosted window and a large shower with a bench seat.
