Sleeping with the Enemy (An Enemies to Lovers Collection)

That evening we were going to have a lovely supper on the back veranda of the guest house overlooking the rolling hills and vineyard as the sun went down. I was looking forward to having a quick shower and getting changed before meeting the tour group for dinner.

Damon got his key and waited patiently for me as I got mine. Our luggage had already been taken to our rooms, so we only had to get ourselves up there. We walked upstairs and down the passage. I found my room number and so did Damon. It just happened to be the same room number. I turned right around and stormed back down the stairs to the reception to sort out this mix up.

But there were no other rooms available because of some big convention in the nearby town. Apparently, our room was one of the three suites and had two bedrooms. They’d put Damon and I in the same suit as they assumed we were a couple. I had no idea what or who gave them that idea.

Damon had not done his booking for this trip, so he had no idea what rooms were booked for him. I was just too tired to argue, so I gave in and got first pick at one of the luxurious bedrooms. The place was more like a five-star hotel than a guest house.

I had a shower in my adjoining bathroom and got changed. I felt refreshed and the nausea had passed. I had barely been able to taste the wine this afternoon because of this sick feeling. Right now, I was starving and couldn't wait to go have supper. I grabbed my wrap, purse, and room keys as I headed out of my room into the shared living room area where Damon was waiting for me.

“Sorry, I thought it would be nice to go to dinner together.” Damon looked really sexy in his low-slung jeans, white cotton button up shirt, and leather jacket. He smelt really good as well. Although his cologne must be pretty strong for me to be able to smell it from across the room.

“Sure,” I said, actually feeling relieved to have him to go to dinner with. It was better than walking into the place on my own. “I’m starving.” I told Damon as we walked out of the suite.

“I’m always a little hungry,” Damon smiled as we walked down the stairs and headed for the back porch.

The site was breathtaking. We were seated at the end of the long table that had been set out for us. The waiter brought us the drinks menu but all I wanted was a club soda with a twist of lime.

“Not drinking?” Damon gave me a strange look.

“I’ve been a little bit ill lately.” I shrugged. “So I’m just trying not to drink too much, and besides, I want to enjoy this trip and savor the countryside. I don’t want it going past in a hungover blur.”

“That’s very sensible of you.” Damon raised his wine glass and we chinked our glasses together. “To having a great trip.”

“Look at that sunset.” I sighed.

The sky was turning hues of pink and orange as the suns started to dip in the distance and the night pulled its dark blanket over it. As we ate, the night grew darker and soon a million stars were twinkling in the fresh evening air.

“I almost don’t want to go in.” I took a deep breath of the fresh air. My stomach was full and I was feeling really sleepy. “But I’m so tired.”

“I am also beat.” Damon stifled a yawn before standing and pulling my chair out for me. He took my wrap and put it around my shoulders as the evening breeze turned cold.

We walked up to the suit. Damon gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek, which was very unexpected and I nearly broke his nose with my clumsy move. He laughed and said goodnight. I stood watching him disappear into his room. Then I went into mine, got into my night clothes, and passed out.

***

The next day I was not feeling good. I woke up and was horribly ill. This was not good. I had to take an anti-nausea pill quickly. There was no way I could go to breakfast like this when I knew what the smell of cooking food did to me when I was feeling like this.

What on earth was wrong with me? By the time I was ready to go down to breakfast, I was feeling slightly better and was able to have a bit of seasonal fruit for breakfast and some dry toast.

“Are you okay?” Damon asked me with a look of concern on his face.

“I’m fine.” I managed to give him a weak smile.

After breakfast, we checked out and took our seats on the bus to depart for our next stop, which was a little further away so we’d be on the bus for most of the day with a few stops along the way in small towns.