Page 67 of Tempt Me

His jaw dropped, and I just about chuckled at my boldness.

“I am the hotel manager.”

The doors pinged open, and I strode as fast as my six-inch boots could carry me across the marble lobby.

“I’ll be watching out for you,” he yelled after me.

My heart and head were ready to explode as I exited the building and raced down the front steps. Without any plan, I continued walking up the path that ran parallel to the beach. Within a minute, I was giggling. Within two minutes, I was laughing so hard that I could barely breathe.

As I strode up the path in the knee-high boots, wearing nothing but my trench coat, I passed women in bikinis and men in board shorts. Their accusatory glances were justified, and I felt completely out of place.

My brain was a crazy scramble as I tried to work out what I was going to do next. I couldn’t believe I was stuck without a phone or money. I made a mental note never to do that again.

Somehow, I had to get to Lolly—she was my only savior. With that decision made, I headed toward the tram station.

A heat wave of embarrassment coursed through me as I tried to ignore the glares from complete strangers and walked the half-mile in the middle of the day in my trench coat and boots. I looked like a hooker, and the elation I felt just ten minutes ago was replaced with ultimate humiliation.

Without any money, I’d have to take the tram and pray that no inspectors stopped me to ask for my ticket.

Maybe I could avoid a fine by flashing my boobs.

Oh, my God!I would never have considered that six months ago.

The tram arrived within two minutes, and I slipped into a seat at the back. I wiped the sweat from my temple and with the inferno frying my brain, I wished I could take my wig off.

As the tram neared Main Beach Station, I stood and tried to ignore glares from random strangers as I waited for the doors to open. I did the fifteen-minute walk in ten, and my inner thighs were sweating by the time I stepped onto Lolly’s driveway.

Please be home. Please be home.I chanted out the mantra as I strode to her door and knocked.

My embarrassment hit a whole new level when Calvin answered the door. I wanted to dive into the bushes and be buried beneath the compost.

“Hi.” Calvin blinked at me, and I realized he had no idea who I was.

I was tempted to turn and leave, but my shoulders slumped as I realized I had no choice. I swallowed the enormous lump in my throat.

“Hi, is Lolita home?”

He shook his head. “No, she’s—” He paused mid-sentence. His jaw dropped, and his eyes bulged. “Jane!”

I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me whole.

“Holy fuck, itisyou.” He burst out laughing. “Come in, quick, before the neighbors see us.”

He laughed all the way into the kitchen, where I flopped down, rested my arms on the table, and hid my face in my palms.

“Did you get caught again? Holy shit, you look hot. Lolly’s going to be pissed she missed this.” Calvin was an excited child as he laughed and spoke without waiting for my replies.

“Wait there, I’ll call her.”

I couldn’t have moved even if I’d wanted to.

“Hey, babe, you won’t believe this.” There was a pause. “Jane, or should I say Memphis, just showed up.” I heard Lolita squeal. “Yes. Sure is. I know.”

I could just imagine what Lolita was saying on the other end of the line.

“Okay, will do. Love you too.”

I sensed him sitting at the table, and I looked up at his enormous grin. “She’s coming home.”

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