Xander

I laugh at myself for checking in as Paul Newman. I always pick a different old-time celebrity name when I check into a hotel but today for once I wish I’d used a random name.

Opening the hotel door to a money shot of the perfect ass of Elsie Cushing really brightened my otherwise shitty day.

Usually women fall at my feet when I so much as glance at them, but not Elsie. She gave it right to me. Plus, she’s gorgeous. Even with that half blanket ridiculously wrapped around her like a toga. Despite trying to cover up her smoking hot lingerie-clad body, she still can’t hide her shapely calves or her beautiful eyes.

I don’t know what I expected to find when I fled New York City, but it sure as hell wasn’t this. Who knew some shitty hotel on an exit ramp in New Jersey could hold something so beautiful? I’m really fucking glad I had to leave the highway when I did.

Although I only left because the crappy car I borrowed from my housekeeper, Tonya, started overheating. Piece of shit. I would’ve gotten farther if I’d driven my Aston Martin, but I was trying to go incognito to get away from the paparazzi. Lending Tonya my Aston Martin in exchange for her old Ford seemed like a good idea at the time. At least it let me get out of New York unseen.

My plan was to get to my friend Owen’s country house on Delaware Bay and hibernate until the media shit storm blows over. That’s still the plan but it’s going to take me another day to get there.

But it’ll be worth the extra time with Elsie working here. She is exactly what I need right now.

A distraction.

Elsie clears her throat and says, “Let’s get your room situation sorted out.”

For the first time, I tear my eyes from Elsie and glance around the rest of the room. Fuck. There’s a bunch of camera equipment set up that I didn’t even notice before. The very last thing I need right now is anything to do with cameras. Even if it is a sexy woman posing in front of them. At least I assume that’s what’s going on here. Although why the assistant manager would be dressed up like that and taking photos is beyond me. Is there going to be a Girls of the Good Rest Inn calendar coming out next year?

“You know what? You got a lot of equipment set up in here. I’ll move to another room.”

Elsie’s eyes widen, and she tilts her head at me and says, “Really? How gracious of you.”

“I know. What can I say? I’m a gracious guy,” I say, smirking.

“In fact, you are possibly the most gracious guest we’ve ever had.”

“Now I know you’re lying.”

“Whatever gave you that impression?” she says and shifts her weight.

“Careful, your blanket’s slipping,” I say, and nod to her newly exposed corset-covered left breast. Her very enticing breast. I try not to stare but fail.

“Damn.” She looks down and notices her makeshift toga is falling apart and quickly hikes it back up.

“Is that a new corporate uniform?”

“Very funny.”

“Are you ever going to tell me the mystery of why you are dressed up and getting your photos taken?”

“Why on earth would I tell you?”

Shrugging, I say, “Why not? Don’t they pay you enough to cover your bills? Are you in debt? Shit, do you have a gambling addiction?”

“No, I do not have a gambling addiction. And the pay is good, thank you very much,” she says, her voice sounding exasperated.

“That’s good, I was worried about you,” I say, chuckling. She’s certainly fun to joke around with. She’s even better at this than Luna.

“Were you, now?”

“I was. The plight of sex workers is an issue dear to my heart.”

“Why? Are you a pimp or a john?”

I can’t help but laugh harder at her comment and Elsie breaks down laughing as well.

“Elsie,” a woman’s voice says. I look around the room, it seems to be coming through the bathroom door. There are more of them in here?

“What is it?” Elsie asks.

“We’re running out of time. Becca has another appointment after us, she can’t overrun.”

“Okay,” Elsie says, sighing.

“Am I ruining your party?”

“Let me call down to the front desk and have him bring you up a key for room two-fourteen.” Before I can respond, Elsie picks up the phone. “Nathan, you put Paul Newman in the wrong room. I said I was in two-fifteen, and now he’s in here with me. Yes, he did walk in in the middle of my photo shoot. Thank you very much. It’s fine, don’t worry but can you bring up a key to room two-fourteen in a hurry? And then correct his details on the computer. Thanks. I’d come down and get it but, you know, I’m not really dressed for the occasion.”

She hangs up the phone, turns to me and says, “He won’t be long, in the meantime I can let you into the room next door with my master key.”

“So that’s it?”

“Afraid so,” she says with a broad smile. I might be imagining things, but I swear her green eyes are actually twinkling.

“It’s been fun,” I say.

After grabbing something off the desk, Elsie opens the door to the room a crack and pokes her head out, turning it left and right presumably making sure no one is around. Satisfied the coast is clear, she opens the door all the way and steps through it.

“Come on, hurry up.”

I grab my suitcase and follow her out of the room and wait as she deftly opens the room next door and steps inside. The room is the mirror image of the one we just left.

Glancing between Elsie and the bed, I visualize throwing her onto it and wrapping her high-heeled legs around my neck. She looks at me and tilts her head and I wonder if she can read my mind. I wish she could.

“I hope you have a good stay,” she says, gripping the door handle.

“I have every confidence I’m going to love it here.”

“Great. If you need anything else just phone down to the front desk.”

“Who do I ring for room service?”

Elsie laughs and shakes her head, “This isn’t the Ritz. There is no room service, but you can always call Domino’s.”

No room service? I’ve never stayed in a hotel without it before. How am I supposed to eat?

“Is there a minibar at least?”

“There’s a Coke machine in the hall. And ice.”

“That’s something, I guess.”

“I’m sure you’ll survive. Now excuse me, I have to hurry.” Elsie checks the hallway and steps through the door.

“Hey Elsie,” I call, half following her out of the room.

She turns to me and our eyes connect. I could seriously get lost in them. “Yeah?”

“You can call me Xander.”

Her eyes flare wide and her mouth widens. “I knew it.”

“Shh, it’s our secret.”

“I always respect my guests’ privacy, Paul.” I may be imagining it, but I swear her voice just got breathier.

The noise of the elevator door echoes down the hallway and Elsie hurries into her room. With any luck, she’ll be working later.

Dragging my feet, I walk across the room and flop down onto the bed. I pull my phone out of my back pocket and call Owen.

“Hey, did you make it?” Owen says without saying hello.

“No, the fucking car broke down. I’m at some cheap hotel in Trenton.”

“Have you seen the latest?” he asks.

I roll my eyes and say, “What is it now?”

“She says you were into pegging.”

The weight grows in my chest again. Over the course of the day it’s turned into a crushing boulder. Knowing Luna, this is all a big joke to her. All I can do is brace for whatever she comes up with next. Although it’s difficult to imagine something worse than pegging.