“Business.” The tic in his jaw was barely noticeable, but she caught it. He didn’t want to tell her. Why?
She stared him down until he relented. “I came here about the inn’s recent acquisition.”
“About… Oh. That.” Well, that settled it. What she’d seen couldn’t be Dani’s spider. Her friend’s visitation had ended in a hot-and-heavy make out session with her roommate, Liam, that led to true love. This was more like Bailey’s luck. An almost, not quite, whole lot of nothing.
The spark that had flared to life the instant he touched her refused to die in the face of this new reality, but she was determined that it would. He wasn’t her knight or a Ewan substitute. He wasn’t her wish or a helpful handyman. He was the new owner’s flunky.
Was the flirting a test? She wouldn’t put it past him after the stories she’d heard. “I was told to expect someone this week, but I thought it would be during regular business hours.” Silly me. “Is there something wrong with the car rentals? The house?”
“I don’t think so.” He clearly didn’t approve of her defensive reaction. “Our flight was delayed, so I haven’t seen the place yet, but I’m told it’s all we asked for and more.”
“We aim to please. So—”
“Why don’t you have a security system in place?”
The inquisition had begun. “Because in all the time I’ve worked here, there’s never been a break-in. I have good neighbors.” And no money in the budget for an alarm.
“What neighbors?” He raised a brow. “Most of the buildings around you are businesses that close overnight.”
“Our prime location is a selling point for some guests, and Candle Joe lives above his shop. He’s right across the street if I need him.” Sure, he was seventy and half-blind, but he knew how to use a phone as well as anybody else.
“Do you need Candle Joe often?” Did he sound jealous? For a second, she swore he was growling.
“Not for security,” she informed him sweetly. “In case of emergency, I also have a bat named Slugger under my bed.”
His eyes widened. “You have a bat. That’s your answer. What about a night clerk?”
Was he kidding? “Maybe she’s on her lunch break with our on-call massage therapist. He works in the spa next to the indoor pool.”
“There’s no need for sarcasm, Ms. Wagner.” His jaw was so tight she was worried he might crack his pretty teeth. “I’m being serious.”
“I can see that, but I’m it, Boot Boy,” she said impatiently. “Once I close up for the night, it’s just me, myself and I. And Slugger. It’s been that way for over a decade and the guests and the good silver have always been perfectly safe. No one gets in without my knowing about it.”
“I did.”
“Are you a well-dressed burglar? Do you have a spare key?” Bailey almost growled herself when he shook his head with a superior smirk after each question. “Then I don’t get it. I— Oh, forget it. I refuse to be interrogated like this.”
“We finally agree on something.” The pulse at his temple fascinated her. “Why don’t I wait downstairs in your office while you put some clothes on?”
The most edible man she’d ever laid eyes on was asking her to be less naked, and he was one of Cameron Locke’s henchmen. Her night could not get any better.
She imagined the report he’d be giving the new owner in the morning. Inappropriately dressed. Leaves doors unlocked. Shamelessly dangles from ceiling and drooled all over my fancy shirt.
It was so unfair. It had been years, and she’d really wanted to climb that mountain and lick his chin dimple.
“Well?” he prompted roughly.
For some reason, the further that stick went up his behind, the more she wanted to mess with him. Maybe it was payback for that almost-kiss. Her dry spell had made her vengeful.
“It’s adorable that you think I have an office.” She pointed at the attic door on the ceiling that he was tall enough to touch without stretching. “Why don’t you close that up and follow me?”
Bailey didn’t wait to see if he obeyed before racing down the stairs. Her determination to hate him was already being tested as she realized she was leading him to her bedroom. She wished it was to tie him up and show him the error of his asshole-ish ways instead of getting him away from the guest rooms and putting on pants.
It was a good visual, Boot Boy’s wrists tied to her bed. His massive frame would be too big for the dinky thing, so she’d have to crawl on top of him to get him completely undressed.
A ball of hot need lodged in her belly.
Enough. She’d revisit that scenario later. With her vibrator after he left.
Her door was still ajar from the mad dash to the attic. She’d almost forgotten the ominous sounds that had woken her and made her think the roof was caving in. The sounds that had stopped the same moment the ladder collapsed beneath her weight.