RATHER THAN GOING STRAIGHT to the front desk, I lingered around the reception area. The clerk I wanted had another guest with him, and the other girl working didn’t look like she’d fall for my charms. She had serious business written all over her.

Finally, the other guest moved off. I walked up and leaned on the desk, telling the clerk my room number.

“Can I grab the key to 1201 too?” I asked. “Damn dopey drummer thinks he left his music on quite loud. He doesn’t want to disturb the other guests, so he asked me to turn it off for him.”

The clerk grinned. “It shouldn’t be a problem. We have top-class soundproofing.”

Drat. That wasn’t part of my plan. I leaned over farther, like I had something really confidential to say.

“Dude, you have no idea. This guy’s half-deaf, you know, from all that drumming. He has his music really loud. Maximum bass, too. My room’s near his. It’s going to be a total pain in the butt for me if I can hear it. I’m a really light sleeper. I’ll just run up, turn it off, and bring the key right back down.”

He hesitated, so I grinned. That sweet grin that showed up my dimples.

He grabbed the key out of the slot behind him and handed it to me. “Don’t tell anyone I did this. It’s strictly against hotel rules.”

“No problem,” I said, and I winked. “I’ll be right back with it.”

I acted cool until I got in the elevator, then I did a happy dance. So far, so good.

When I got to our floor, I opened Crow’s door, then put the latch over to keep it open while I ran back downstairs. There was no one else on our floor except the bands and crew, and they were all out drinking. That’d be no safety concern at all. Were there security cameras on this floor? Would they see me sneak back there? I’d worry about that if I got sprung.

I got straight back in the elevator and returned the keys.

“He’s a damn fool,” I said to the clerk, rolling my eyes. “He hadn’t even left it on. Damn brain-addled musos.”

The clerk laughed and took the key out of my hand. “Better safe than sorry, I guess.”

I nodded and rushed back upstairs. If I sent a text to Crow, telling him there was a surprise waiting in his room, he might hurry back, but that could backfire badly. I didn’t want Polly getting suspicious and following him back here. He’d said he’d only stay out for a drink or two. Crow was no party animal.

While I waited, I looked around his room. He kept his room really neat. Well, barren more than neat. My room was a disaster. I’d thrown everything out of my case trying to find an outfit to wear to dinner, then I’d upended my makeup bag on the dresser. As soon as I arrived at a new place, all the photos had to go up wherever I could prop them in the room, too. Photos of my family and friends. I loved having those reminders close to me.

Crow didn’t seem to have much in his room. Just his clothes and some spare drumsticks. Not one personal touch. If it hadn’t been for that faint smell of his, I could be in any random room.

I gave the room a quick scan. It was his room, wasn’t it? I hadn’t gotten the number wrong? This could be a world-class disaster if I’d screwed up.

Without one personal item to check, I went to the wardrobe and took out one of his shirts. I put it to my face and breathed in the smell of it. Happiness crept through my body. That smell always reassured me.

I wasn’t in his room to snoop, though. I had seduction to plan.

Should I be fully naked or just half-dressed?

Fully naked would be more comfortable.

I quickly got undressed and jumped into his bed. I lay on my back, my hair artfully arranged on the pillow, but that lasted about two minutes. Waiting for someone in their bed wasn’t exactly that exciting.

I hopped back up and got my phone out of my jeans pocket. I could put it away when I heard him coming and go back to my seductive poses.

Hopefully, Crow wouldn’t be much longer. I wondered what it would feel like when he kissed me, that bushy beard pushed against my face. I’d never been kissed by a guy with a beard before. Would it be bristly or soft? Maybe soft like a hairy cloud. Then he’d kiss his way down my body, and that beard would tickle my skin.

I squirmed just thinking about that. Oh, it would tickle so nicely. I’d have to keep quiet too and not giggle out loud in case the others heard me. Maybe I’d have to get him to gag me, or at least put his hand over my mouth.

Just the thought of those kisses made my body rush with heat. My stomach fluttered. Oh, tonight would be perfect.

Surely, he’d be back soon. How long did a couple of drinks take? An hour, maybe?

I checked the time. I’d been here for twenty minutes. Damn. It seemed much longer. I hoped my lipstick hadn’t smudged. If I got out of bed to fix it, he’d surely come back, and I’d be naked and in some weird position. I didn’t want to risk that, but staying in bed was boring.

None of my friends were online because of the time difference, so I couldn’t chat. I’d read a book. That would give me something to do until he got back.

Only, I must’ve drifted off to sleep. A noise just outside the door woke me. Where was I? Strange bed, strange room. Oh yeah: Crow. My phone must have slipped out of my hand onto the bed beside me. I put it on the nightstand, then propped myself up on my elbows with the sheet covering me. Covering me a bit too much. I nudged it down a little.

I tried arranging my hair again. I wanted his first sight of me in this bed to be perfect. I turned on the bedside light so it hit me like a spotlight.

The door opened. I bit my bottom lip. This would be the moment. He had to be happy to see me here—he just had to.

“Hello...” I said as he walked into the room.

Only it wasn’t Crow. It was Polly.

Damn shit.

I screamed.

She screamed.

This was not the night I’d had in mind.