Authors: Emily Harper
Checking Inn (20 page)
“On what?” I ask, my eyes never leaving his face.
“On you.”
My heart flutters at his words, but I mustn’t get ahead of myself.
“I’m not sure what
I
would have to do with it,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.
“You made it clear a month ago that I wasn’t going to be a factor in your life.”
“Did I say that?” he asks, frowning.
“You didn’t have to say it.
The fact that I haven’t seen you in over a month says it all,” I argue.
He nods, running his hands through his once again messy hair.
“I had to go away for a little while to work on a case; the one my captain wanted to talk to me about that day you came to see me.
But even so, what if I told you I didn’t come here the next second, the next day, the next week after you left the station because I wanted to give you time to make sure
you
were sure?” he asks.
“Well, I would say that is stupid,” I say, crossing my arms.
“You made some excellent points as to why we shouldn’t be together.
You weren’t sure if it would work between the two of us,” he points out.
“Well, what do I know?” I say, my angry eyes meeting his.
“You seem to know everything,” he says, shrugging.
“You’re a perfectionist, obsessively organized, you color coordinate your pens, and you might be the slowest driver I have ever met.”
I open my mouth to argue, but his arms wrap around me and my voice catches.
Alright, he might be
slightly
right about some things.
But I am not a slow driver.
Slow and cautious aren’t the same thing.
“But because of all that, I love you.
More than I have every loved anyone in my entire life.
And I was wondering if you are free sometime, you might give me the chance to make you love me, too.”
“I–” my breath catches as he tucks a lose strand behind my ear.
“I think I already might.”
“You’re sure?” he asks.
“You don’t want to make another pros and cons list?”
“It was already leaning in your favor,” I admit as I wrap my arms around his shoulders.
“The clipboard just tipped it over.”
His face lowers, his lips soft as he presses them to mine.
I can feel the passion within him, so earnest and unheld.
He’s such a contradiction, and that’s my favorite thing about Ben.
A warmth envelops me and I respond just as passionately.
He lifts his head from mine, and brings his hands up to my face.
He lovingly takes in every one of my features before placing another tender kiss on my mouth.
“Oh, you kids are just adorable,” my mom says, and she ruffles Ben’s hair as she passes the reception desk.
“Hi Tara,” Ben says, still smiling at me.
“I see you managed to work things out,” she says and winks at me before she rounds the corner to disappear into the next room.
“So, are you going to show me to my room?” Ben asks, running his hands up and down my arms, sending thrilling chills all over my body.
“Mmm,” I say, as he pulls back and drops his hands to my waist.
“But first things first.
You have to sign the guest book.”
His mouth lifts at the corner before he nods.
“Nearly forgot.”
While he makes his way around the reception desk, I lean over and straighten my business cards so they are parallel with the edge of the desk again.
“Where do I sign?” he asks, looking at the book pages, before starting to scribble his name.
I come to stand behind him and peek over his shoulder.
“You’ve done it in the wrong spot!” I say, trying to step in front of him.
“You’re not visiting a friend, you’re checking in.”
“Okay,” he shrugs and starts to cross out his name in the wrong column.
“No!” I say, putting my hand on top of his.
“You’ll make the book messy.”
“So, we’ll pretend I’m visiting, then?” he asks with an indulgent smile.
“Then the records won’t be right,” I say, weighing up my options.
“You’ll just have to sign in on both columns.”
“Are you going to scrunch your nose like that every time I do something you find annoying?” he asks.
I look from him, to the book, back to him.
“Yes.”
“Good,” he says, smiling before capturing my lips again.
Other Books by Emily Harper
WHITE LIES
Imagine standing in line at Harvey Nichols waiting to buy the most gorgeous silk Gucci dress. The only minor problem? You can’t afford it, it's a size smaller than you are, and you have absolutely no place to wear it.
Meet Natalie Flemming: a twenty-something woman working in London for a fabulous shoe-designing firm, but the only thing they let her touch is the company’s tax forms. She has decided to give fate a vacation and takes the task of finding the man of her dreams (or Johnny Depp if he would just return her calls...) into her own hands.
She craves adventure, spontaneity, passion- or will just settle for a decent date.
“White Lies was a very fun read, easily devoured in one sitting. You could see the growth Natalie goes through as she learns to be more honest and confident in her ideas and talents. She still remains cute, bubbly, and fun, like that best friend who knows all the good gossip.”- Readers’ Favorite
Available through
Amazon
and all major retailers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emily Harper, author of White Lies and Checking Inn, has a passion for writing humorous romance stories where the heroine is not your typical damsel in distress. Throughout her novels you will find love, laughter, and the unexpected!
Originally from England, she currently lives in Canada with her wonderful husband, beautiful daughter, mischievous son, and a very naughty dog.
Visit her website:
http://emilyharper.wordpress.com
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