Her words were like a kick in his gut. "You can stay as long as you want. I was thinking wakefulness might lead to other activities."
"You're insatiable."
"And you have a dirty mind," he countered. "I was talking about conversation." He cocked his head toward the suite's living room. "Want to go sip some wine? Talk? Watch a movie?"
For a moment, she looked tempted. Then she shook her head. "I should probably--" She cut herself off as she sat up in bed, pulling the sheet tight over her breasts. "It's just that I have a showing at nine tomorrow, and there's a ton of prep before hand, and--"
He pressed his fingertip to her lips. "It's okay. No explanation required."
She seemed to melt a little, and he thought he saw a plea in her eyes.
"Really."
She studied him for a moment, then nodded before slipping out of bed. He watched her dress, regretting ever saying a word, because then she might have fallen asleep, and he could have awakened with her in his arms.
Then again, if they'd done that, she'd probably be late for her showing tomorrow. Assuming she actually had a showing tomorrow. It was just as likely that he'd spooked her and she was running.
That was okay, though. She could run. For now.
He just wanted her to run back the next time he was in town.
When she was dressed, he got up and pulled on his briefs, then grabbed the Winston Hotel logo robe and tugged it on as they walked toward the door.
She paused with her hand on the knob. "I really am sorry."
"Don't even think about it." He leaned against the wall. "Actually, I'll be in town again in about a month. For that matter, lately I've been coming to Austin on a pretty regular basis." Not an outright lie, and his trips really were about to become more frequent.
"We could play it by ear." He swallowed, then forged ahead. "Or we could plan on it. This room. I can text you the dates as soon as I know them."
Good God, had he really just suggested that? He needed more sleep. Or possibly less alcohol.
Her eyes widened, and he thought he might get lost in the flicker of gold in those deep brown pools.
"This room? How can you be sure you'll always get this room?"
"Ah, right. Remember how you cut me off before I could say what I did for a living?"
She nodded.
"Well, my job more or less involves being a Winston."
"Come again?"
He managed a straight face. "Only if you stay a little longer."
She rolled her eyes. "Behave. And what are you talking about?"
"Derek Winston," he said, extending his hand to hers. "And my family owns this hotel."
"Oh. Oh." She tugged her hand free, then twirled a lock of hair around her finger, seeming to process that info. "And so you want to use this room for a standing hook-up?"
He held up a hand. "Hold on, I didn't mean it that way."
"No, no. I get it." She nodded slowly, her brow furrowed in thought.
Then she surprised him by stepping forward and kissing his cheek. "You know what? I think that arrangement will work just fine."
Chapter Five