Elsie

I feel bad for Xander. The look on his face when the couple entered the lobby made it pretty clear he didn’t want anyone to recognize him. The least I could do was help him hide. It must be awful to have all these facts about his sex life, if they are facts, out for the entire country to know. Especially his parents. I can only imagine what my parents would think if my face was all over the news with details of my sordid sex life. I don’t think I would ever be able to face them again.

Does having a kinky sex life really mean you have to go into hiding or to have people snicker at you and take your photo everywhere you go? I don’t think so. As long as Xander Whitman is my guest at the hotel, I’m going to make sure he has an enjoyable and private stay. I guess in a sense he’s my first VIP customer.

From his position hiding under the desk, I can feel Xander’s hot breath on my thigh and the heat from it spreads across my skin, up my leg to my core. At this rate, my panties are going to be every bit as soaked as my thong was after our first encounter.

Although I don’t know why I am reacting this way, it’s annoying me. Is it simply because he’s famous and gorgeous? Besides, he has a girlfriend. He shouldn’t be flirting with me at all. He’s clearly not trustworthy boyfriend material. Famous or not, he is no different from my cheating ex-boyfriend.

Unless he’s trying to bring me in for a threesome with him and Luna. That doesn’t count as cheating. I mean, how can it? That’s just crazy though, but I guess he has to find people for his weird sex games somewhere. And him walking in on me in lingerie getting my photos taken probably sent the wrong message about the kinds of things I’m into instead of how boring my non-existent sex life really is. I know I made a promise to myself to loosen up and have fun especially since I don’t know what the future will bring but that might be a step too far.

No, it’s definitely a step too far.

I want to be able to look back at my life and think yeah, I did that, and it was amazing. I had lots of fun, even if I had to cram everything in while I could. Not oh I can’t believe I actually did that.

Dammit, I never did phone the doctor back about the tests. I’ve got to stop being in denial and deal with things. I will phone as soon as I get these people checked in and deal with Xander.

“We need a room for one night,” the balding man barks as he approaches the desk. The woman with him hangs back and stands behind him, staring at her scuffed shoes. It never fails to amaze me how rude some people can be. Yes, I work at a hotel, so that means treat me like dirt, apparently.

“Sure thing, I just need some details from you and will have you in your room in a jiffy. Your name?” I say with a plastered-on smile.

“It’s Peter Newman,” the man says, and I fight the urge to laugh. A burst of air hits my shin and I glance down to see Xander silently chuckling.

I wonder what the favor he needs is.

It better not be something stupid, like a blow job. That’ll get his VIP status stripped pretty fast. I guess I’ll find out as soon as I get rid of this other Newman. I focus on getting their details and checking them in.

“Here are your key cards,” I say, handing them a little cardboard folder with the plastic key cards tucked inside. “You are in room three-eleven on the third floor. The elevators are around the corner. Enjoy your stay.”

The man grunts and snatches the folder from my hand. The poor woman didn’t say a word the entire time. I don’t know how or why she is with him. But to each their own.

They quickly disappear around the corner and the elevator door rattles shut.

“The coast is clear,” I say, looking down at Xander.

“That guy was a dick,” Xander says as he stands, brushing off his pant legs.

“No kidding, I much prefer Paul to Peter.”

He doesn’t move away, and we’re standing so close that the heat from his body radiates over me. I hang my arms at my sides to make sure I don’t accidentally touch him. Yet at the same time, I don’t want him to move away.

The idea of leaning into him and resting my head against his chest flashes through my mind. I bet if I really did that, he’d wrap those muscular arms around me and hold me.

What the hell is the matter with me? I shouldn’t be thinking these things at all.

“What was the favor you wanted?” I ask, my voice coming out far more breathy than I had ever intended.

“I need the very exciting favor of borrowing a phone charger. I don’t suppose this fine hotel has any for guests to use?”

My shoulders drop in disappointment. Of course, it would be something so boring, why wouldn’t it?

“Sorry, we don’t normally lend them out. But you can use mine if you have an Android?”

“Perfect. You’re a real sweetheart, thanks,” Xander says, staying in his position that’s both far too close and strangely wanted.

I should be opening the drawer where I keep my phone charger and getting it for him, but I can’t bring myself to move because that would mean increasing the distance between us. What is the matter with me? It doesn’t matter how many times I ask that question, I can’t figure out the answer.

Our eyes catch again and my heart races. Xander smirks, his dimple on full show. I’m close enough to touch it, with my mouth even. For a brief second I think what the hell, he wouldn’t mind and I certainly wouldn’t mind and I get to tick kissing the sexiest man alive off my bucket list.

I give my head a shake to bring myself to my senses. These thoughts are so out of character that I’m starting to feel like Isabel is somehow possessing me.

As if he read my mind, Xander takes my hand and lifts it to his face. With his hand pressed gently against the back of mine, he runs my fingers over his cheek. When my index finger connects with his dimple, a shock of electricity zaps through me and I flinch. My mind races a million miles an hour, trying to process what is happening but can’t. I swallow hard and Xander returns my hand to my side. Except my body screams at me, wanting to touch him again or for him to touch me, anything to restore our physical connection.

I am an idiot. Or at least a naïve, star-struck girl.

Turning, I step away from him and open the drawer. My knee threatens to buckle and I grab the desk to steady myself. The phone charger lays neatly rolled up in the side compartment.

“Here,” I stop and clear my throat. “Here’s the charger.” I spin back around to face him, and my breath catches as if I was noticing how attractive he was the first time. Mustering my confidence, I extend my arm and offer him the charger.

“Thanks, supermodel.” He wraps both his hands around my hand and lets them linger before taking the phone charger. I am most definitely going to need a dry pair of panties and I try to remember if I have any in my locker or not, anything to distract myself from this moment.

“No problem, I’m sure you want to catch up on the news and whatnot.” I cringe, immediately regretting my words. As much as I want to ask him about his girlfriend, Luna, and the news of their sex life, he is a guest first and foremost and it’s not my place to ask.

“The news is the last thing I want to catch up on, trust me.”

“Well, it’s good to know the latest on North Korea,” I say in a desperate attempt to cover my last comment.

Xander laughs with a big broad smile that seems to dissolve my panties altogether. I seriously better have a spare pair in my locker or I may have to go commando. Assuming I’m not already going commando since he’s burned them off me altogether. My eyes trace over his body, and I can’t help but notice the massive bulge in his pants.

“What time do you get off?” He asks but at first I think he only says do you get off and I break into a coughing fit.