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“One room left?” Joy gasped. She couldn’t, no, she felt Tyler’s cotton clad chest brush against her shoulder blade, their coats tucked away in the suitcases even now being loaded on the bellboy’s cart, she couldn’t share a room, not with Tyler.
“One suite,” the hotel clerk corrected. “Two rooms, two beds. All the single rooms are booked, the flight cancellations this morning and everything.”
“No room at the inn.” There was laughter in Tyler’s voice. He clearly found this amusing.
“Is there…” Joy paused, knowing this request was beyond her means. “Another suite?”
“No, ma’am, I’m afraid, this is it. It isn’t even supposed to be rented out, being under repair, but as Tyler Hamilton is such a valued guest-”
“We won’t use the Jacuzzi, I promise.” A big hand massaged the back of Joy’s neck, giving the impression they were together.
They were together. Literally. But not together, together. She was the muffin lady, at least for today, and Tyler Hamilton was, well, Tyler Hamilton. Besides she didn’t have time for anything else. The shop had to have her full attention. There were people relying on her.
“Come on, Joy. I’ll behave.”
“Really?” Because his eyes and hands said otherwise.
“Really. I may tease but I would never jeopardize my daily muffin.” He sounded sincere. “Trust me.”
She did. She didn’t know why but she had trusted him the moment he walked into her shop, all suited up, yapping into his phone. Their eyes met and he abruptly ended the call, giving her his complete attention.
As he was now. His body tilted towards her.
“Okay, but no funny business.” She wagged her finger at him.
“I never promised no funny business.” He laughed. “But I swear you won’t regret it.”
She did. Already. He was a distraction, as tempting as he was, she didn’t need. “I have to work.” That statement was more for her than for him.
“Work?” He widened his brown eyes in mock surprise. “I don’t know what kind of kitchen the suite has.”
“Ha ha.” She watched as he signed the check in slip. Should she offer to pay now or when they checked out? “I do more than bake. All American Muffin is a business. I have to do the accounting and the sales and the marketing…” Baking she could handle, all the rest gave her trouble.
“Why you’re here?” He scooped the room key, thanking the clerk.
“I thought I could get on The Early Show.” National coverage. It looked promising but then the elderly Senator slept with an under aged girl and that promise dissipated into smoke. She had been bumped day after day. “Didn’t happen.” There was a crowd around the elevator. Disgruntled faces. Battered suitcases.
The elevator doors opened. People piled on, leaving barely enough room for the two of them. Tyler blocked the shutting doors, allowing Joy to scoot in. He then shifted her, squeezing behind, his left hand on her hip. “Business bad?”
“Yes.” She wouldn’t lie to him. “With the plant closing…”
His hand moved to her stomach. “The line ups have been shorter than usual.” Passengers called out floors. Tyler pushed buttons, a frown on his face.
When all the numbers were lit up, Joy forced a smile. “There are other places to get muffins.” They stepped out of the elevator so a man in a suit could roll his carryon suitcase off.
“I don’t go to All American merely for the muffins.” Although there was no need to press up so closely to each other when they got back on, Tyler kept his hand around her. “If you got on tv…”
“Maybe another company would see how great our town was. Decide to relocate there. Maybe I’d get a bump up in business, not have to…” her voice cracked.
“Close?” They got off again. A woman with a tired toddler balanced on her hip exited, Tyler helping her lift the massive suitcase over the crease.
“I’ve never laid anyone off before, Tyler.” That scary thought kept her awake at night. “Gabby and Rachel need the money. I don’t know what…” she was going to do. She let herself lean into him as they stepped back on.
“We’ll figure something out.” A pause, his breath on her earlobe, his chest rising and falling against her back.
We’ll figure something out. An appealing lie, one she wanted to believe in, but Tyler had his own business, his own responsibilities.
“You really want the press?”
“The shop-“
“Joy, I’m not asking about what the shop wants or needs,” he broke in. “I’m asking about what you want.”
Confused, Joy twisted in his embrace, facing him. “Isn’t that the same thing?”
A half laugh. “No, hon, it isn’t. I want to make you happy, not your employees.”
Her happy. What she wanted. No one had asked her that in a long, long time. What did she want? She felt the rise and fall of his chest against her. Him but that would benefit no one except herself. She couldn’t allow herself that indulgence. “I’d do anything for more business.” She tilted her head back to look up at him.
Grooves were etched between Tyler’s eyebrows. They appeared there when he thought hard. “Anything?”
The group of Japanese suits, the only remaining occupants, reached their floor. The elevator was now empty and she was very much aware of his hard body. “Anything.” She’d do anything.
“Even work all night?”
All night? With Tyler? No, not with Tyler. He’d have other things to do. Alone. “What else is there to do?”
That got her a wolfish grin. “I could think of a few things.”
She could too. What she wanted… But those were selfish thoughts and she had her employees to think about. “About your plan?” she prompted.
“Can you handle my carryon too?”
“Sure.” Both had wheels. Shouldn’t be too hard. “Why?”
“I need to go back downstairs.” They had reached the top floor. “Check on something.” He held the door open. Joy backed out, pulling the two bags. “You might want to take a nap, it could be a late night, and Joy?”
“Yes?”
“Forgetting something?” He waved the folder with the key cards at her.
She left the bags in the hallway, reaching into the elevator, tugging at the keys in his hands. He tugged back, throwing her off balance. He caught her, his free hand on her waist. She glanced up. His lips came down, at first light and tender, the kiss then deepening. A moan came from deep in his throat. Or had she moaned? She wasn’t quite sure. She couldn’t think straight, her mind swirling. He tasted of coffee and mint and a flavor she couldn’t identify. Was it cinnamon? No. Too sweet. Was it? But then she felt the impact of the doors bouncing off his shoulder, and the tasting was over. He released the key, stepping back, breathing heavy.
“Wish me luck.” He winked at her as the elevator doors shut between them.
***
Part 3 will be available November 18th.
