I woke up earlier than I had the day before, for the first time in a long time, feeling refreshed. Not drinking and smoking had a lot to do with the fact that I felt a lot better now than I had in a long while. My room had been cleaned, so it looked like that part of my trip had been erased. I rested last night, and it had been like a dream come true.

Having Sharon in my bed would have made it even better.

I thought back to our kiss and felt my mouth curving into a smile without my permission. But I couldn’t help myself. I’d gotten close, and she hadn't pushed me away. She’d even been the one to press for the kiss.

I might have a chance with Sharon, and it wasn’t just wishful thinking. There were plenty of other women I could have tried for, not that I’d looked for any of them besides the group I saw the day I arrived, but I wanted her more than I’d wanted any other woman. Something about her was different.

The familiarity between us should have scared me off, even though we hadn't known each other that well before. But besides her not being a stranger, I was starting to learn a little about her personality, and I found I liked it. I wondered just how much of her had changed and why she’d left home.

One thing was for sure though; she’d only grown even more appealing since I saw her last.

After the kiss we shared, there was no shred of doubt in my mind. Whether she knew it or not, whether she admitted it or not, Sharon wanted me. I was going to let her have me.

It won’t be that simple, my mind reminded me, determined to kill my fun.

Sure, she had pushed me away at the end, but it didn’t change that she had kissed me back, and so hot, like she wanted more than just that kiss.

Feeling more than ready to face the day, I rolled off my bed and reached for my phone on the night stand. Breakfast would be soon, and I was feeling a little hungry. I wanted to get showered and dressed and head out of my room to look for Sharon.

I was going to practice good behavior—I was going to try hard to be at my best—and hopefully, I could get her to at least talk to me, because I had a feeling, after yesterday, she was going to try to avoid me again. But maybe, if I weren't causing trouble like she’d accused me of yesterday, she’d give something happening between us a chance.

A knock on my door had me heading for it and, as opposed to yesterday, my demeanor was pretty mild. Someone different was there this time, a woman. She was attractive, but not nearly enough for me to try to seduce her when I had my eyes set on someone else, no matter how reluctant she was acting.

“Can I help you?” I asked blandly.

She was startled, eyes widening, and I almost laughed because her reaction was a lot like the guy from yesterday, skittish, even though I hadn't done or said anything wrong yet.

“Um, I just came to inform you that it’s time for breakfast and the meal has already been served,” she said, voice rushed. “If you’d rather not eat with the other guests, food can be brought to you.”

I gave her a smile, just something small, but I kept it impersonal. “Thank you for informing me,” I said politely. “I’ll be coming down shortly.”

She nodded jerkily, covering up her surprise, then she turned and walked away quickly.

Once she was gone, I headed back inside to grab a quick shower and change clothes, this time pulling on another tank top that stretched over my chest and a pair of track pants.

Sharon was stuck in my head, and the second I stepped out of my room, I was looking around for her.

Her pushing me away still irked a bit, but I wouldn’t give her the chance to run away next time. She had to know we’d be good together; that kiss was more than enough proof. And if I had to, if it would make her not run, I was going to show her that she wanted me. I didn’t even care for her reasons—because she was attracted to my body, because she knew me and I knew her, or she was a distraction and needed a little fun herself—because I intended to have her.

But I couldn’t see her anywhere.

I took a quick walk after breakfast before heading for another of my scheduled sessions. I went through the whole thing distracted, and I could sense the trainer’s annoyance with me, but I didn’t give a damn. My good mood from earlier was slowly dying.

I did see someone familiar, the guy that came and got me yesterday, and I wondered if he knew where I could find Sharon. Before I could think it over, I was hurrying over to him, reaching my hand out to grasp his shoulder so he would stop. He did, turning around with a surprised look, which turned a little sour before he plastered on a careful smile.

Well, I remembered cursing him out when he came to my door, so I couldn’t exactly blame him for disliking me.

“What can I do for you, sir?”

His voice wasn’t exactly welcoming, and I scowled. Well, fuck you too.

“I’m looking for a member of your staff; her name is Sharon. She was at reception when I arrived a few days ago. Do you know where she could be?”

He blinked, clearly surprised by my line of questioning.

“Um, I’m not sure actually. What do you need her for?”

I ignored that question.

“I wanted to talk to her, that’s all. If you see her, just let her know that Jerrik is looking for her; she knows where my room is. Thank you,” I added reluctantly, and turned away before I could see what look would be on his face.

I frowned to myself as I made my way back to my room, hoping she would come after me there. But… would she? When she was seemingly doing her best to avoid me? Maybe she was just busy somewhere, or we’d walked past each other without me noticing, but something told me she was going out of her way not to encounter me.

Just in case, I took the long way back to my room, passing by reception to see if she was there. I was tempted to check all over the place before deciding not to, and I headed back to my room. I was hopeful that guy would come across her and let her know, and she would come and see me.

So I waited.

I couldn’t believe it.

I started to pace the room. I couldn’t sit here and just wait. So, I pulled out the unfinished whiskey and drank like a fish!