Page 23 of Tease Me

I shook my head. “Okay. I’ll move you to another room.”

He threw his hands in the air. “Great. Just great.”

I held up my index finger. “Give me a moment to check the vacant rooms, and I’ll be right back up.”

“So . . . I guess I’ll pack my things then.”

“That would be great. I’ll help you when I come back.”

To the sound of his grumbling, I dashed to the elevator. It opened immediately, and as I traveled down to the lobby, I wondered how I’d get an electrician at this time of night. The hotelwas fully bookedfor tomorrow, with mostof theguests coming early in the morning. I needed this fixed ASAP.

The doors opened, and I raced to the desk, checked the room vacancies, and noted that room forty-three was empty, just three doors up from Mr. Harper’s room. Iscurriedback to the elevator and returned to the eighth floor. I went to room forty-three first and confirmed that the lights worked. Satisfied, I strode to Mr. Harper’s door and knocked.

Hewas dressed, but that was all that had changed. His clenched jaw and furling fists highlighted his anger.

“Room forty-three is vacant down the hall. Let me help you, and we’ll have you settled againin no time.”

He shoved a small backpack at me. “Here, take that. I’ve packed everything up.” He had his laptop under his elbow and rolled a suitcase with his other hand.

I led the way to the new room, opened the door, and flicked on the lights. “There you go. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience.” I placed his backpack on the dining table.

He rolled his suitcase in and hurled it onto the bed.

“Can I help you unpack, Mr. Harper?”

He sighed. “No, it’s fine. I just need to get this done.” His anger dissipated before my eyes.

“Okay. I’ll make sure we discount your room for you. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. I’m sorry I yelled.”

“Thank you for your understanding. I hope you get your PowerPoint finished.”

“No choice, I’m afraid. The boss needs it in”—he glanced at the clock on his laptop— “five hours.”

I knew what it was like to be under ridiculous pressure and felt for him. “Can I at least make you a coffee?”

He nodded. “Sure, that’d be great.”

Pleased that I could help, I strode to the kitchen and turned on the coffee machine. Mr. Harper sat at the table and began tapping away on his computer. I watched himin silenceas I waited for the coffee to drip into a mug. Unsure how he liked it, I placed a sugar satchel, a pod of milk, and a teaspoon next to the steaming black coffee and brought it to him. “Good luck.” I placed the cup next to his laptop.

He blinked up at me as if he’d forgotten I was there. “Thanks.”

I walked out of the room, and as I rode down in the elevator, I vowed that if I were ever under that kind of pressure in a job, I’d quit.

Back at reception, I focused on my new dilemma. I needed an electrician.

I scrolled down the list of emergency numbers pinned to the back of the reception desk, and next to electrician, was a card for Jackson Kane, 24/7 Electrician.Exactlywho I needed at this time of night.

I dialed his number and was surprised when he answered on the third ring.

“Hello, I’m sorry to bother you. My name is Jane Nichols; I’m from the Hot Horizon Hotel.”

“Yes. Yes. I’ll be there.”

I did a double-take. “But I haven’t told you what?—”

“It’s okay. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” The phone purred, and it took me a few seconds to realize he’d hung up. As I stared at the handset, I wondered whatthe hell justhappened.I put the phone downand wentto the kitchen to make a cup of teaand waitfor his arrival.

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