I Can Explain (Awkward Love 2)

This is certainly going to be an interesting trip.We get off the plane and catch a cab to the hotel. It’s the same location as the wedding, so I’m nervous about running into someone who knows me. I glance over at Alana. This thing with her wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t planning on taking her to this wedding either, until Josh cornered me into naming a companion, but at that point, nothing had happened between us, so I figured it wouldn’t be a problem. Now, it all just feels complicated.

As we walk into the hotel, Alana looks around the lobby, her eyes wide. It’s a five-star place, like I always stay in, but the look on her face has me wondering if we’ve struck another first. She grabs my arm and pulls me aside, a serious expression on her face.

“So we’re on the same page, this is a business trip, right? Meaning, we keep things professional?” she says.

“Like on the plane?” She glares at me. “Okay,” I agree, swallowing a laugh. “But this isn’t work.”

“No, but it’s work related. I don’t want everyone at work thinking I got my promotion by sleeping with you, and the same goes for here. People will already be wondering if I’m sleeping with you. I don’t want to give them proof.”

“They’ll only get that if you’re as loud as you were on the plane,” I murmur. She glares at me, so I stop. “Okay. Point taken, and if that’s what you want. No sex. We even have separate rooms, so you don’t need to worry about the temptation being too much.”

I strut off over to the reception desk to check us in before she can respond to that.

“I'm sorry, sir. You said that you booked two rooms?” the attendant asks after I give her my name. She frowns at the computer screen.

“Yes,” I say, frowning. I know where this is going, and I can't believe it. Alana isn’t going to believe this is a mistake. She’ll think I had this planned. With everything else that’s going to piss her off, I don’t need this too.

“I'm so sorry, sir, but you only have the one room showing up on our system. We don’t have anything else available, either. There's a big wedding on this weekend.”

“I know,” I say, gritting my teeth. “I'm part of it.”

“It’s a double room if that helps at all,” she says with an unnaturally wide smile.

Sighing, I nod. It’s not like I have any choice other than to agree. At least we have separate beds. It wasn’t like I intend to let her use her room anyway, but I wanted her to know she had the option. And now with this no sex at work rule she’s implemented, I want it to be her decision to break it.

Our relationship has developed so fast that neither of us has really had time to process it. For all I know, she regrets sleeping with me in the first place. That wasn’t the impression I got on the plane, but still…

“Fine. If I can have the keys now, it would be greatly appreciated,” I say with fake gratitude.

I take the key and turn around, scanning the room for Alana. I spot her sitting over by the indoor water fountain, a look of dismay on her face. I watch her as she glances around, making sure nobody is looking before she tosses a coin into the water. I laugh and walk over there.

“What exactly are you doing?” I say with a grin.

“Oh my God, would you look at this?” she hisses. “Who the hell puts a water fountain in the middle of the lobby?”

“I'm glad you're enjoying it,” I say, amused. “But you do realize that it’s not a wishing well, right?”

“I was just making sure,” she says defensively, her cheeks flushing.

“What did you wish for?” I ask, looking at her closely.

“Nothing,” she mutters, refusing to look at me. “Can we go to our rooms now?” she asks, changing the subject.

“Sure, but there's, uh, a slight issue with the rooms,” I say. She raises her eyebrows at me. “I promise you, this isn’t some elaborate scheme to tempt you into my bed, but they've lost one of my room reservations.”

“Convenient,” she says. She narrows her eyes at me and frowns. “So, you expect me to share a bed with you?”

“No, of course not,” I growl, shaking my head. “There are two beds. It’s just the room we’re sharing. But, if that makes you uncomfortable, I can sleep in the lobby, or something.” I say. I glance around, looking for a good spot to sleep.

“Oh, don't be stupid.” she says rolling her eyes, “You think I’d have a problem sharing a room with you after what happened on the plane? And your kitchen counter?” she says with a giggle. “And everywhere else you’ve fucked me?”