Chapter Nine

 

Veronica

 

It’s been a long day. Aiden was running a low fever when he woke up this morning, so I didn’t want to send him to preschool and get the other kids sick. He seems to be feeling fine now though, and his temp is back to normal. Kids are weird.

“I only have one more room, Ade. Do you want to come with me?”

“Yes!” He leaps up from the hotel lobby couch, where he’s spent the morning watching cartoons. It’s like I let him out of prison. There’s nothing worse to a little boy than having to sit still.

He follows me through the breezeway, and I cross my fingers that this will be an easy room. We seemed to skip spring this year and went right into summer, with the thermometer climbing into the nineties and the humidity keeping pace. My shirt clings to me uncomfortably, and I think I’ve sweat through the panties I’m wearing. Gross.

Aiden bops along like it doesn’t affect him, grinning as we go into the room. “Don’t touch anything,” I warn as usual.

While I strip the bed, he wanders into the bathroom. Maybe five seconds later, he comes running back out. “Mom! I think somebody needs an ambulance!”

Oh fuck. What did he just see? If some junkie has overdosed in the bathroom and he walked in on it, I’ll never forgive myself.

As soon as I step through the door to the bathroom, he cries, “Somebody lost their penis!”

Maybe finding a junkie would be better. A big flesh colored dildo is suction cupped to the wall of the shower, the head pointing up. The slit looks like an eye that’s having a look around, and possibly judging my parenting.

A snort of laughter jumps from my throat as I have to speak a sentence I never thought I’d have to say. “Nobody lost a penis. It’s fake.”

Aiden reaches out a hand, and I pull him back. “Don’t touch it! It’s…dirty.” I’m assuming, because thank fuck it isn’t obviously used, but still, I doubt they stuck it there for a joke. Let’s hope Aiden doesn’t doubt it.

“Like Bill’s fake leg?” His face screws up, and I know he’s picturing someone with a prosthetic penis. I’m going to need a raise to pay for his therapy. I open my mouth to explain, but an excited smile jumps across his face. “Can I get a fake one? If I had two, I could sword fight them!” He starts jumping around, pretending to swing a sword.

“No, it’s just a joke. Somebody thought it’d be funny to leave it there.”

“A joke? Like my fake dog poo?”

“Yes, exactly like that.”

“Oh.” He stares at it for a moment. “Can I have it?”

“No, it’s dirty and it’s going in the trash as soon as I grab some gloves.” Steering him out of the bathroom, I dig in my pocket and hand him a dollar. “Why don’t you get a root beer from the vending machine? I’ll be done here soon.”

Distraction is my best bet right now.

“Okay!” He takes the money and races off.

The machine is right down the hall, and I peek out to watch him. Max joins him, chatting with him while they peruse the snack selection, so I know he’s okay. All the rooms are empty so there’s no stranger danger at the moment.

I grab my gloves and step back inside, shaking my head. Menstrual cramps are trying to split me in half, I’m starving and sweating in places I didn’t know had sweat glands, and my kid found a dildo I now have to dispose of. It’s a safe bet the day can’t get worse.

With plastic gloves in place, I reach for the monster that’s been somewhere I don’t want to think about, and tug, but it’s really stuck onto the wall. I pull harder and it comes off with a pop and falls into the tub.

Ew. I’ve cleaned up a lot of gross stuff, but this is really skeeving me out. I quickly pick it up and chuck it into the trash bag, breathing a sigh of relief. When I return the trash bag to the cart, I check on Aiden, who is now sitting beside Max on the curb, eating a bag of chips and drinking his root beer. Max waves at me, and I mouth a thank you. I know he’s keeping him entertained, though I can only imagine what Aiden is telling him.

The room isn’t bad other than the disgusting sex toy, so it won’t take me long. All I’m thinking about is a nice, cool shower, and the chocolate shake I plan to stop for on the way home when the ceiling seems to open up. Horrible smelling liquid rains down on me and the entire room, soaking me to the skin in seconds before I can even figure out what the hell is happening.

“Mom!” I look up to see Aiden standing just outside the doorway. “The fire alarm is ringing!”

“Stay right there!” I shout.

The sprinklers are still spraying and the water raining down has cleared, but not fast enough. Everything is covered in the sludgy, gray water that must’ve sat in those pipes for years. I don’t smell smoke, but adrenaline kicks in anyway. Sprinklers don’t go off unless there’s a fire.

Aiden holds his nose when I rush out of the room. “Ugh, Mom, you smell like an egg fart.”

Yeah, thanks for that, kid.

We rush down to the office, and every room we pass has water pouring out under the doors until we get to the front of the building, which seems to have been spared the rancid water treatment.

Jada, the clerk on duty today, bursts out laughing when I step into the office, and clamps a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry! I just. I’m sorry.”

“What the hell is going on?”

“Something triggered the sprinklers in the back half of the building.”

“Nothing is on fire?”

“No, Mike is looking into it now, but the fire department is on the way to double check.” She grabs her purse and hands me my bag and keys. “We’re all supposed to evacuate until they show up.”

“Mom! A firetruck! Look!” Aiden shrieks, dancing around me as we step out into the sun baked parking lot.

“I see it. Let’s wait over here, out of the way.” We gather on the opposite side of the lot, under a tree since it’s sweltering in the sun.

I’m grateful no one was hurt and that it isn’t a real fire, but worry creeps in when I realize what this means. There’s no way the hotel stays open while they’re dealing with this. I don’t know how much time this is going to put me out of work, but even a few days will hurt us.

Mike, the manager, approaches us, wiping at the back of his neck. “Veronica, Jada, you can go on home. I’ll call you as soon as I know what our next step is.”

“I’m sorry, Mike. I hope insurance covers everything,” I tell him.

“Me too.”

Jada wastes no time leaving, but I’m not going to get out of here without letting Aiden talk to a firefighter. It’d break his heart.

“Mom! They’re going to leave! I want to see the truck up close!”

“Just for a minute, Ade. I’m all gross and I need a shower.”

The fireman couldn’t be nicer. They spend twenty minutes with Aiden, letting him check out the truck, beep the horn, and try on one of their heavy coats. He rushes up to me with one of the firefighters in tow, talking excitedly about everything he’s learned. I’m only half listening, smelling like a dumpster is a bit distracting, until I hear him announce.

“And he said there wasn’t a fire and it may have been a prank. A prank is like a joke, just like the fake penis we found in the tub.” While I’m trying to look anywhere but at the handsome, grinning firefighter, Aiden goes on, oblivious to the fact I want to climb under the truck. “Hey! Maybe the same guy who left the joke penis played this joke too!”

The firefighter grins at me, and I shake my head with a sigh. “Thanks for taking the time to show him the truck and everything.” I grab Aiden’s hand. “Come on, we need to go. I need a shower.”

“Bye Mr. Fireman!” Aiden cries, with a toothy smile.

“Bye Aiden! Be good for your mom.” He winks at me. “She’s had a rough day.”

Two days pass before I hear from Mike, and fear streaks through me at his first words. “It’ll take at least a month before we can open for business again. The water damage has also exposed some mold issues among other things, so I’ve decided to close for a month while repairs are being made.”

A month of no income.

A month, at least.

“Veronica, are you there?”

“Yeah.” I swallow and flop onto the couch. “I’m here. I’m sorry to hear that. At least the insurance is picking up the tab.”

“Yeah, and as long as we have to shut down anyway, I’m going to get some remodeling done that I’ve been meaning to do for years. Which is why I need to ask a favor of you.”

“Okay.”

“I’d like to take my family on a vacation. It’s been years since we’ve been able to get away. Max will be overseeing the work and keeping in touch with me, but I’d like to have someone here full time. Just to keep up the lobby and the few unaffected rooms, keep an eye on the place at night, set the alarm, etc. Suite one hundred wasn’t damaged, so I wanted to see if you would be willing to live here for the next two weeks. I know it’ll be a pain in the ass since you have a young kid, and there may be a day or two that they shut off the water, but I’ll pay you double your monthly salary to stay for two weeks.”

Is he kidding? Two months of pay just to stay there and keep an eye on the place? “Sure, Mike, I can do that. When do you want to leave?” I reply, trying not to sound as relieved as I am. This could easily have been the phone call that meant I would be job hunting.

“Tomorrow if that’s not too soon. Around noon?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Oh, and the pool wasn’t damaged. Max will keep up with the maintenance so you’ll have something to do while you’re here.”

“Sounds good. Aiden will be thrilled.”

“Thanks, Veronica. I’ll fill you in on the little stuff when you get here.”

I guess we’re spending two weeks at the hotel.

 

# # #

 

If Neal presses his lips together any harder, they’re going to disappear. I’m not sure exactly what’s causing this reaction, but I don’t have time to argue with him.

“This is crazy. You’ll be alone in a hotel for two weeks? What if someone tries to break in? Especially if it’s under construction! People rob construction sites all the time!”

Aiden and Bailey’s giggles filter in through the window as they throw a frisbee just outside, and I take a quick peek to make sure Aiden didn’t overhear. “Would you keep it down? I don’t want Aiden to be afraid to stay there, and there’s an alarm that I’ll set every night. And a police precinct three blocks away so it wouldn’t take long if we needed help.”

What I won’t admit is that it does make me a bit nervous. Working this job has taught me that people are crazy. I’m likely going to have to deal with irate customers insisting on a room no matter what shape the hotel is in. And he’s not wrong about construction sites being a common target for burglars.

I shove Aiden’s swim shorts into his suitcase and zip it closed, moving to finish packing mine.

“You’ll still be alone.”

“Aiden will be with me.”

My grin is met with a glare before he crosses his arms and announces, “I’m staying with you.”

What?

“Excuse me?”

“It’s an empty hotel. I’m sure you can find a room for Bailey and me. We’ll stay with you.”

“I—” I bite my lip to restrain myself from arguing. The truth is I’d love to have them there. Our suite has an adjoining room with two beds and I’m sure we could sneak in some happy naked times while the kids are asleep. “I’ll have to ask the owner.”

“If he doesn’t like it, he can talk to me.”

Sighing, I turn around away to shove my clothes into my suitcase. “Lose the caveman act, Neal. I’m not in the mood to deal with any alpha male bullshit.” I’ve already had to deal with Aiden’s tantrum over not wanting to go. I understand why he doesn’t want to stay there, but we need the money. There’s no help for it.

Strong arms wrap around my waist and his body presses against my back. Resting his chin on my shoulder, he murmurs in my ear. “I’ll show you my caveman side when I drag you off to one of the other rooms once the kids are asleep.”

My body goes limp and I tilt my head, giving him more access as he plants kisses up my neck. “Are you trying to bribe me with sex?”

I can feel his smile against my skin. “Is it working?”

“I don’t know. I might need to hear more.”

His hands travel up to massage my breasts, his lips continuing their path up my neck. God, this man knows how to make me melt in seconds. I don’t know whether to be impressed or terrified at the way he makes my body respond to him.

“More, huh? Like how I’m going to lick you until you can’t take anymore? Is that what you want to hear? Or how I’m going to lay you on your stomach, your ass in the air, and take you from behind.”

Fuck me I never had a chance.

The sound of the front door opening makes him step back, and I try to continue packing like I’m not a pile of hormones that just wants to ride him like a bumper car, so he can slam into me over and over.

“Let me make a call.”

Mike is fine with them staying as well. In fact, he sounds happy with the idea so maybe he wasn’t completely comfortable having us there alone either. “As long as the place is in good shape when I return, I don’t care what friends you have with you,” he tells me. “Just don’t let anyone drown in the pool or get hurt.”

“Thanks, Mike. We’ll be there by noon.” Hanging up the phone, I turn and smile at Neal, all the dirty possibilities running through my head. “Go get packed.”

 

# # #

 

The suite we’re staying in is the nicest in the hotel and was unaffected by the sprinklers. It includes two bedrooms, a sitting area with a sofa and TV, a tiny kitchen with a microwave, toaster oven, refrigerator, and sink, and a large bathroom with a sunken tub big enough for four people.

A door which can be locked on both sides separates the suite from an adjoining room that was also spared from the damage. It has two beds, a small sofa, TV, and attached bathroom. As Neal places his bag on the bed, Bailey announces, “This is mine and Aiden’s room!”

“Yes!” Aiden darts inside and dives on the bed closest to the wall. “I want this bed!”

Neal looks at me, his eyebrows climbing his forehead. We planned for him and Bailey to stay in this room and he could sneak into the suite at night.

Shrugging, I put Aiden’s suitcase on the bed and start moving his clothes to the drawers. “The suite has two bedrooms. I suppose I could put up with you snoring in the other room.”

Neal flashes me a wicked smile before he goes to inspect the door which leads out to the parking lot. “Okay, but I want this door to stay locked all the time. Just like this. You understand?” He directs his words toward Bailey, and she nods. “Aiden, do you promise not to unlock this door? Only go in and out through your Mom’s room?”

“I promise!”

The outer door has a lock on the knob, a deadbolt, and a swing bar guard at the top instead of a chain. There’s no danger of anyone getting in, and we’ll be on the other side of the wall, so I guess it would be okay for the kids to stay in this adjoining room.

“Can we go swimming?” Aiden asks, bouncing up and down.

“Let me get a few things unpacked, Ade. And that’s another thing.” I kneel down in front of him, so I can be sure he’s looking at me and listening. “You don’t go near the pool without either me or Neal with you. Not even one step inside the fence. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“I mean it. If you’re inside the fence without us, you won’t be swimming again while we’re here.”

“I won’t! I promise!”

Neal cautions Bailey as well. “I know you’re a good swimmer, but you never know what could happen.”

Once we’re convinced both kids know the rules, we spend the next few minutes unpacking and getting settled in. Both kids are dying to get in the pool, so we head outside. We really do have it made while we’re here. No bills to pay, no other people to bother us, and an entire swimming pool to ourselves. I’m sure the kids will get bored faster than we will, but for now, they’re thrilled.

I drag four chairs together by the shallow end of the pool and toss a towel on each one. “Aiden!” I call as he starts to dart away. “Sunscreen!”

Aiden and then Bailey stand still while I spray them down, then they jump into the water. I dig into my bag to find the book I’ve been reading and spread out on my stomach to soak in the sun and read.

I peek up after a few minutes to see Neal looking at me. “What are you looking at?”

“You’re lying on your stomach in a bikini. What do you think I’m looking at?” His tongue darts out to wet his lips, and I don’t know if it was an unconscious action or deliberate, but it doesn’t matter because its effect on me is the same.

Glancing toward the pool, I make sure the kids are out of earshot. They’re playing Marco Polo, so they can’t hear. “You know what I’ve been thinking about all day?”

“Me?” he teases.

“Well, sort of. I’ve been thinking about how you grit your teeth and hiss when I blow you. I’d really like to do that tonight.”

His mouth falls open and he takes a deep breath. “Fuck, V, you can’t tell me that in the middle of the afternoon. I’m going to be hard until tonight.”

I can’t help myself. I’ve never had a guy that seems to get worked up over me the way Neal does. Rolling over, I tuck my hands behind my head, making my breasts push against the thin material of my bikini. My nipples could key a car right now and it doesn’t escape his attention. I grab my spray bottle and mist my neck and chest. “Ah, that’s better. So, is that a no, then?”

His lip quirks up and he sits upright. “Keep teasing me, woman, and see what happens.” He grabs a tube of sunblock and scoots his chair closer to mine. “You look a little red. Let me help you.”

He’s positioned where the kids can’t see exactly what he’s doing, since his back is toward them, plus they’re caught up in their own fun.

The cold lotion makes me gasp when his hands land on my ankle, but it warms quickly. His hands feel amazing as they rub and massage much longer than necessary to spread the lotion, working their way slowly up my leg. His fingers barely brush over my crotch, just enough to drive me crazy, before he moves back and starts at the other ankle, giving my other leg the same treatment.

I shouldn’t have started this. He’s way better at tormenting me. And dark has never seemed so far away.

“You okay?” he asks, and I want to kiss his taunting smile.

“I’m good.” Sure, just ignore the fact my voice is way too high.

“Turn over, let me get your back.”

A glance at the pool shows me the kids are playing with innertubes, taking turns jumping into them. As soon as I roll over, he smacks my ass. “Neal! The kids!”

“Are completely ignoring us.” He sits on the edge of my chair, and I let out a groan when his hands start kneading my shoulders. Slowly, he works his way down to my lower back leaving me in a puddle on the chair. Leaning over, he murmurs in my ear. “You can suck me all you want tonight, but you’re still going to end up with your ass in the air, trying not to scream while I fuck you.”

Dead.

I’m dead.

He wins.

“No fair. I’m no good at dirty talk.”

He chuckles and squeezes my ass before retreating back to his chair. “But you like it.”

“From you, yeah.”

His eyes squint at the edges as he smiles at me. “You can talk dirty. Anyone can.”

“Nope, I’m terrible at it.”

“We’ll see.”

The kids run up, and Aiden flops down beside me, dripping cold water down my back. “I’m hungry.”

“Me too,” Bailey adds. “Can we order a pizza for dinner?”

Neal glances at me and shrugs. “Sounds good to me.”

My phone rings, and I get a strange look from Neal and Bailey when they hear my ringtone. What can I say? The wicked witch music from The Wizard of Oz is perfect for my mother’s tone.

Neal snorts out a laugh when I say, “Shit. It’s my mother. I need to take this.”

“Come on,” he tells the kids. “You guys can get showered while I order some food.”

I mouth a thank you before accepting the call I know is going to make me do something I don’t want to do.