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“It truly is a pleasure,” he said, placing a kiss atop my hand.
“Thank you. Michael’s told me a lot about you.” I kept the “dog” part out, feeling that particular comment was probably best left between Michael and me.
He laughed. “I’m sure he has. They’re all lies, of course.”
I smiled, immediately taken with him. “Of course.” His voice was deep and smooth, like pure velvet. I could see why, according to Michael, he had so much luck with the ladies. I twisted a strand of hair around my finger and felt immediate embarrassment at the schoolgirl reaction he drew from me.
“I’ve booked two rooms, as per your request, Michael. But I can always upgrade to one of the larger suites if you’d like.” He looked back and forth between us.
“Oh, no,” I blurted a little too quickly. “That won’t be necessary.”
“Right,” Michael butted in. “We’re here on business.”
“A gorgeous woman like Ms. Moretti in your company, and there’s nothing more? I’m disappointed.” His eyes twinkled with a bit of mischievousness, gauging our reactions.
“Siena. And we are here for business, Mr. O’Halloran.” I wasn’t going to let him goad Michael or me into anything personal here in the hotel foyer.
“Please, call me Jax.Mr. O’Halloranis too formal and has too many syllables. We’ll reserve that for the employees.” He winked.
I laughed. “Yes, of course, Jax. Like I said, we’re here strictly on business. But Michael and I have formed a friendship. Right?” I turned to get his approval.
A small smile curled on Michael’s lips. “I’d like to think so,” he agreed.
Jax’s eyes twinkled, and I wondered if he could feel the vibe between us. “Nothing wrong with mixing a little business with pleasure,” he said with another wink.
I laughed. “So I’ve been told.”
“Let me show you to your rooms. Then Michael can take you on a tour.” He paused, smiling between us, keeping the thoughts that flashed across his face to himself. I followed, Michael right behind me, as Jax led the way to the main building’s elevator.
“Your rooms are right next to each other,” he informed us as the elevator took us to the sixth floor. My room was exquisite. The bed looked like a cloud: king-sized, puffy white comforter, pillows galore. The little girl in me wanted to run and take a flying leap onto it.
A smile tugged at one corner of Michael’s mouth as he watched me walk around the room, running my hand over freshly polished furniture and crisp linens. “This is beautiful,” I said, popping my head into the bathroom.
“Thank you, Siena. We aim to bring our guests the best of the best, luxurious and stylish accommodations in a most spectacular setting.”
“You’re telling me.” I felt like my eyes might pop out of their sockets. The bathroom was three times the size of mine and housed a gorgeous jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower. Marble countertops and inlaid tile floors. Gold hardware accentuated the cabinets and faucets. It was breathtaking.
“I don’t think we hold a candle to Blaire hotels,” Jax stated from behind me, “but we do just fine.”
Michael choked on his laugh at the look in my eyes.
Jax ignored Michael’s teasing. “Please enjoy any of our amenities—on the house. Michael, as you requested, I’ve scheduled massages for three o’clock.”
Michael cleared his throat as I raised my eyebrow at him. He reached his hand out to Jax and clapped him on the back in another brotherly hug. “Thanks, Jax. We’ll see you at eight.”
Jax’s eyes darted to me, a sly smile on his lips. He took my hand in his, placed a kiss on it. “A pleasure to finally meet you, Siena. Enjoy your massages,” he added, sendinganotherwink to me.
I shoved a finger in Michael’s chest as the door closed. “You are very sly, Mr. Blaire. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to bribe me.”
“Bribe you?Never!” There was the faintest smile behind his eyes. “I just thought it might be nice for us to indulge a little. Might as well enjoy ourselves while we’re here.”
I went to the slider, moved the curtains aside, and looked out at the property below. A large pool glittered in the sunlight as several guests sat enjoying their lunch and lay on lounge chairs, appreciating the sunshiny spring day.
I felt Michael come up behind me. His proximity started my heart beating faster. I turned to him, breathing in his intoxicating scent. He tucked my hair behind my ear, a featherlight tickle as his fingers skimmed my cheek. “I’m glad you are quite taken with your room and with Mr. O’Halloran. I mean Jax,” he crooned, fluttering his eyelashes, swooning in jest.
“Oh, shut up.” I pushed at him. “I was being polite.”
“If only our first meeting had been that polite.” He leaned against the doorjamb, a smart-ass smirk covering his face. “Let’s grab something to eat.”
