Page 57 of Tease Me

I turned and walked away and was forced to keep walking right past my door.

“I’m calling hotel management. I bet they’d like to know about you.”

Chapter Seventeen

My chin dimpled as I waited through the humiliation for the elevator to arrive. I just about shattered into a million pieces when it finally pinged open. Tears stung my eyes as I jabbed the lobby button.

As I stared into my own eyes, a bolt of horror hit me. If he called reception, there was every chance Needledick would be waiting for me.

No . . . not me—a blonde-haired bimbo.

I yanked my wig off and shoved the long synthetic locks into my purse.Scrambling at the pinsthat heldmy hair in place, I tousled itoutaround my shoulders.I plucked my contacts from my eyes and, flicked them on top of the wig, and forced the clutch to close.

Using the underside of my hem, I scrubbed my lippy off, grateful my dress was black.Then I licked my thumbsandcareful not to touch my lashes,Idesperately wiped away as much blue eye shadow as I could.The thick mascara would have to stay.

For the first timeever, I was grateful for the slow elevator.

By the time it did a little jig announcing its arrival at the lobby, I was back to Jane.Well,Jane in a stylish dress, classy high heels, and an abundance of mascara.

The door pinged open, and Needledick was right there.His arms were foldedacross his chest, his legs apart, and a deep scowlwas drilledonto his face.

“Oh, hi, John. Are you okay?”

He blinked at me, his jaw ajar. “Did you see a blonde woman?”

“Yeah.” I frowned. “She got out on the first floor.” Holy shit, I’m clever.

His eyes bulged. “Christ!” He jumped into the elevator.

I stepped out. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s that hooker.” He jabbed a button over and over. “I’m going to get her this time.”

“Oh, do you want my help?”

“No. I’ve got this.” As the doors closed, he clenched his jaw and nodded at me.

Ten seconds later, I burst out laughing as I crossed the lobby. But five secondsafter that, the enormity of how closethat was hit me. I stepped outside, crossed the road, and stood on the path, looking out to the ocean.

Jesus.The adrenaline rush of the last ten minutes hit me like a thunderbolt, and before I crumbled to the pavement, I moved over to the bench seat and sat down. The sun was a white fireball hanging high off the ocean, yet it was still cool. A gentle breeze drifted up from the water, cooling the inferno coursing through me.

What had gone wrong? Why didn’t Luca want me? My first rejection was a slap to my face, and it stung like hell. I forced back tears as I tried to focus on thepositive—my close escape.

I needed coffee and food, but most of all, I needed Lolita.

It took all my effort to crawl to the Blue Haven Café. I sat at our usual table out the front, and when Matt arrived with his customary dour look, I ordered a cappuccino in a mug and a slice of chocolate mud cake with ice cream and extra cream. A sugar fix was imperative.

Once I’d sorted out my tumbling emotions, I rang Lolly.

“Hey, babe,” she answered on the first ring.

“Hey.”

“Oh dear. What’s happened?”

I swore the woman was a freak. All I’d said was one word, and she knew I was troubled. I tumbled it all out, not even stopping when my sugar fix arrived.

“Jesus, that was close.”

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