Page 4 of A Night To Remember

“What do you mean you don’t have any rooms?” Charlie spoke a little louder than she’d intended, drawing the stares of stragglers in the hotel lobby.

The poor front desk agent looked at her with pity. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” he said. “There’s a huge convention in town this week and the attendees have the hotel booked. Let me see if the other hotels in the area have anything available.”

Charlie waited impatiently while he made the phone calls, angry at herself for putting herself in such a situation.

Charlie wasn’t capable enough to drive home. She didn’t feel drunk, but she always got a little dizzy when she drank. It would not be ideal to operate a vehicle in her condition. The prospect of spending the night in her car was unappealing, but she didn’t really have a choice.

That’s what you get. You just had to bring your sorry ass downtown and get sloshed; now you’re stuck here.

Calling her parents was out the question. She could just imagine what they would say if they knew how much she had drank. Her best friend Laura was out of town so Charlie couldn’t call her either. There was no one else she felt comfortable enough to contact in her present condition.

She could have called a cab or ride service, but she didn’t want to leave her car behind. It would be such a hassle to call a taxi to take her home and then another in the morning to bring her back to her car. But the truth was, she simply didn’t want to go home, at least not tonight. It was beginning to look like she’d be sleeping in her car tonight after all if the agent couldn’t find her other accommodations.

“Ma’am?” The desk agent interrupted her thoughts. “I’m sorry, but the other hotels are booked solid as well.

“Great, just my luck. Thanks for checking anyway.” Charlie turned away from the front desk only to run into something that felt like a brick wall. She would have fallen backwards if two strong arms hadn’t wrapped themselves around her. Charlie looked up to see whom she had run into. Damn, it was the pretty boy from the bar. Her heart beat a tattoo against her chest.

Oh dear, I hope he isn’t following me. This is the last thing I need.

“Thanks.” She pushed away from him, but not before Charlie noted how solid he felt. Why were her palms suddenly sweaty and her breathing abnormal?

“Can I be of some assistance to you?” His voice was deep and as sexy as the rest of him.

“No, thank you.” Charlie would have walked past him had he not been blocking her way.

“I couldn’t help but overhear you at the reception desk and I think I may have a solution to your problem.”

“Whatever solution you may have, I’m not interested.”

He went on as if she hadn’t spoken. “There’s a convention in town and all the hotels within walking distance are booked solid. I was fortunate enough to get one of the last available rooms in this hotel, which just happens to have two double beds. I would be happy to share with you tonight.”

“No, thank you.” Her voice came out in a weak croak. She hoped she sounded firmer to him than she did to her.

This man was obviously out of his mind if he thought she was going to share a room with him. No matter how handsome he was, he could be a sex predator for all she knew. Ted Bundy stood out in her mind.

“Don’t be so stubborn. You know as well as I do that you shouldn’t be driving. Where will you go?”

He had a point, but still, how could she know he wouldn’t try anything? As if reading her mind he said, “Look, I know what you must be thinking but I’m not some raving lunatic. You are a very attractive woman, but believe me, I need sleep more than anything else right now. I have an early flight to catch tomorrow. Besides, I’m placing myself in as much jeopardy as you are lady. How do I know that you won’t rob me blind?”

“I am not a thief!”

“And I’m not a sex fiend. Unwilling women aren’t my scene. Also, if I might suggest, you need to sleep off all the alcohol you drank tonight.”

Charlie felt like a jackass. She didn’t mean to offend him; after all, he had been nice enough to pick up her tab at the bar. Charlie was generally a good judge of character and intuition told her she could trust this man. “I’m sorry. You’re very kind to offer me a bed for the night. I really appreciate it.”

“Does that mean you’re accepting my offer?”

Maybe she’d regret it later but this option beat being alone in her house. “Yes, I am, that is if I haven’t pissed you off. I meant no harm, but you never know these days.”

He smiled at her. “It’s okay. Since we’ll be roommates for the night, you should at least tell me your name. I’m Jake Fox.” He held out his hand to her.

“Charlie Brown.” She took his hand and laughed at the expression on his face.

“You’re joking right?” He smacked his head as though realizing how rude his question was. “Sorry,” he apologized quickly.

“Don’t worry about it. I get that quite a bit. Charlie is short for Charlotte, but no one but my parents call me Charlotte. Even then, they only use it when they’re mad at me. As you can imagine, my parents have a twisted sense of humor.” She smiled, feeling shy all of a sudden.

An indiscernible expression flickered in his blue eyes as Jake looked down at her, but it was nothing that made her feel ill at ease. He smiled back. “It suits you. Well, let’s go, Charlie Brown.”

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