Room Service

“I didn’t mean to trespass.” A blush spreads over her cheeks, making me feel like a blood-thirsty vampire, ready to devour her. I’ve lost my appetite for any meal that isn’t Cassandra.

I take a sip of water before I speak. She has to know that she’s welcome. “It’s fine. As soon as I saw you, I had to meet you.”

“Oh. That’s the first time you noticed me?”

“Yes. Why? I know it’s crazy.”

“Oh. It’s just a bunch of strange and awful circumstances that landed me on your property.”

“Can you please elaborate?”

“First, my luggage was lost at the airport, and when I went to check into the hotel that I booked last month, I no longer had a reservation. There were no rooms left except the villas, and I wasn’t spending that kind of money for a room. No offense.”

“That’s not offensive. They’re for large gatherings or wealthy people trying to get away. It’s not something we’d offer to a single guest.”

“Oh, okay. So then I left and picked up some French fries, didn’t eat most of them because my mother called and let me know she’s the asshole who canceled my reservation so I would come home.”

“What a fucking—” I stop myself before I say something evil about her mother even if the bitch has a serious problem when it comes to me.

“Yes, she is. I hung up on her and then started walking away when I ended up down an isolated alleyway, and then I was mugged. So, you see, I’ve had one hell of a day. I only wanted to find somewhere to charge my phone and get out of the rain. I’m really sorry that I saw you in your towel.”

“Thanks. I guess.” I pretend to be offended which makes her blush so damn prettily.

“Oh shoot. I didn’t mean it like that. I mean you’re super-hot, but I invaded your privacy.”

“No, it’s fine, baby. You can look at me in a towel all you want. Although, I’ll have to spank your pretty ass if you end up in someone else’s home and see them unclothed. Fuck, I’d have to kill them,” I mutter that part to myself, so I don’t look entirely crazy.

“Jamison, you’re being silly. I’ve already broken into your home. Which reminds me—I need to contact the bank and tell them that my wallet has been stolen.”

“Wait, maybe we should let them charge something so we can find them easier. I’ll call the Chief of Police here in Spring.”

She bites her bottom lip and looks up at me with an apologetic smile. “I put my phone on your charger.”

I brush a loose strand of hair back behind her ear and then make my own confession. “I know. I put it out there for you, sweetheart.”

She cocks her brow. “So did you mean for me to see you in your towel?”

“Actually, no. That was purely an accident. The storm came faster than I expected and you woke up before I got out of the shower.”

“Oh.” I stare at her lips as she dips her tongue out to lick them softly.

“Yes, oh.” I drag her to me. “I’m going to kiss you, Cassandra. If you don’t want me to, say it.”

“Kiss me, Jamison,” she moans. I don’t hesitate. My mouth presses lightly to her at first, needing to let her feel safe with me, but when she lets out the tiniest whimper and parts her lips, I deepen it, swiping my tongue along hers as I push my way inside. With a growl, I pull back before I fuck her right on the sofa.

“Get your phone while I give Chief Locke a call,” I choke out, spinning her around. I pat her ass, stealing another touch because I can’t help myself. She turns her head and gasps. “You look sexy as hell when you blush.” She ducks her head and goes for her phone.

I walk into my bedroom and call Locke on his private line. He picks up on the third ring. “Hello, Chief Locke, this is Jamison.”

“What can I do for ya?” He’s a great guy, like most people in town.

“We have a problem. We have a mugger in town.”

“A mugger? Are you sure?” I cringe just thinking about the talk and fear that’s about to start in town. We all know each other, so to have someone robbing people, they have to be an out of towner.

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe one of our own would do something like that. Maybe a tourist?”

“It’s possible, but the guy was on a bike.”

“A bike?”

“Yes.”

“Strange. I got a report of a man tossing a bike next to a trash can before getting into a limo with another man. I thought Mrs. Bates was off her meds again, but maybe those two things are linked.”

“Maybe. That doesn’t make any damn sense.” My mind goes straight to that Charles guy that texted her.