Page 90 of A Sky Full Of Stars

Thomas frowns before his eyes light up. “I’m putting you up in a hotel.”

What?“This isn’tPretty Woman.”

“But—”

“Nobuts. I’m fine. Our situation is fine, but it’s not a good idea to take you home with me.”

“Because he’ll get jealous?” He folds his arms over his chest.

“Or you will.” I shrug. “Either way, it’s easier if we don’t.”

“Tell me this. Is he the reason for Luke’s concern? Did something happen?”

An overwhelming tightness floods my chest as all my problems cycle through my head, giving me a picture of how messed up my life is. And yet, I can honestly say no.

“My ex is annoying me with his ‘we belong together’ crap,”—and screwing someone on our kitchen counter—“but he’d never do anything I didn’t want him to do.”

“Isn’t him saying ‘you belong together’ something youdon’twant?”

“Yes.”Dammit. “But it’s not the same.”

Thomas frowns before he shakes his head. “Nope. I’m getting you a hotel room—or do you want a suite?”

“You’re not getting me a room.” I laugh but grab his hand, squeezing it as a way of saying thanks. “I’m fine. I’ve got this. I just want you to decide where to go.”

After he huffs out a loud sigh, Thomas squeezes my fingers back. “Fine, turn left up here. I know a place.” He releases my hand to type something into his phone, and his pouty expression makes me smile. But I know better than to tease him about it.

I get it; I’m in a strange situation, but I didn’t tell him to piss him off or make him jealous. I told him to keep things honest between us, though I don’t need to harp on about it.

When he’s finished typing, Thomas puts his phone away and turns to face me with a smile on his face. I hate to ruin the moment, but I really want to talk to him about the game yesterday. And part of me wants to shift the focus back to him. Away from me.

“So, how are you feeling about the game? I didn’t get to watch but—”

“We’re here,” Thomas announces instead of answering my question, and when I look in the direction he’s pointing, I find one of San Francisco’s most luxurious hotels. I bark out a laugh as I pull in, coming to a stop next to the valet desk.

“So maybe thisisPretty Woman, I joke as I take in the crystal chandeliers hanging in the foyer. “You better not have made a long-term booking.”

Thomas laughs as he shakes his head. “I’m notthatrich,yet.” He jumps out of the car and runs around to open my door before the valet gets there. “But I can afford a night here and there,” he adds as I step out.

“Well, aren’t you a gentleman?” I play it cool while inside I’m melting. This is exactly the man I always imagined Thomas to be and here we are. Though there’s something different about it.

“I try,” he shrugs, grabbing the keys from my hand and tossing them to the valet as we walk past.

Smiling through clenched teeth, I thank the man and apologize for the state of my car. I’m sure he’s used to parking much more prestigious models, but how was I to know Thomas was going to bring me here.

When we get to the reception desk, Thomas hands over his ID and has a key in his hands seconds later. Without a word, he intertwines our fingers and leads me to the elevator, pressing the button for the top floor when we’re inside.

“I’m guessing that’s what you were doing on your phone?” I ask, backing away from him to lean against the opposite wall, my eyes flashing to the other guest that followed us in.

“It was,” Thomas says slowly, closing the gap between us with a raised eyebrow before making a big show of grabbing my hand again and lifting it to his mouth, pressing a kiss to my fingers. “I thought we needed privacy.”

“Oh yeah?” I swallow, my mouth dry. I’m not used to this public display of affection and it’s giving me butterflies.

“Yeah.”

He smirks, knowing that in this moment he’s got me, and we stare at each other in silence as our elevator companion disembarks on their level. It’s not until we reach our destination that Thomas steps away, motioning for me to go first. “After you.”

As I walk, I feel his presence behind me, the tension creating a buzz around us, and when we get inside, the tension thickens. “Don’t think I didn’t notice how you managed to avoid our talk in the car.” I walk farther into the room, moving away from him to get a clear head. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

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