Page 11 of Last Minute

She looks at me, begging me with those clear, green eyes to understand. “You have to realize that nearly every aspect of my life back home is planned. From what I eat for breakfast to what I’m wearing that day to where I’m going. So being without plans is a big step for me.”

I nod, understanding. As an EPA, I try to plan out every detail, foresee every possible situation and prepare for all of them. Taking this assignment and walking into it blind was a leap of faith. I can fully understand the bravery it must have taken to jump into this vacation with no plans as someone who relies on them.

I take a step back, breaking the conversation with some physical space.

“If you’re settled here, I’m going to do a walk through of the hotel.” I slip one of the room keys out of the paper holder Ellie set on the dresser. As I step out the door, I realign myself to the reason I’m here.

And it’s not to flirt with Ellie.

CHAPTER 9

Ellie

I could say I didn’t have dreams about dark tattoos on muscled forearms, but I’d be lying. And Mother always impressed upon me how important of a trait honesty is.

So I can be honest with myself and admit that Erik’s tattoos were an unexpected and striking surprise. Watching him twist his forearms to show off the ink that twined around, telling a story of its own. I want a closer look, hoping that upon further examination, I’ll learn something new about my EPA. I want to pull him close and learn each and every story behind the artwork on his arms.

I wake up with a ball of warmth spreading throughout my chest. More honesty?

I have a crush on Erik.

I know I shouldn’t, but sometimes you can’t help who you’re attracted to. I’ve been trying for years to force that kind of connection with Prince Alden, but I’ve been chasing smoke. A non-existent feeling that can’t be fabricated artificially.

I roll over toward the second bed and find it messy and unmade. I can barely make out the disheveled sheets in the dim light leaking through the curtains. A peek at my phone tells me that it’s too early for any sane person to be awake. If I hadn’t fallen asleep while Erik did his walk through, I also wouldn’t be awake, but fighting the jet lag was too much. I turn off my phone, and the sudden lack of light blinds me even more than the darkness of the room does.

I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed on a quest to get to the bathroom, but I take three steps before falling over something laying in the middle of the floor.

A muffled oof layered on top of a grunt fills the room as I land on top of Erik.

My arms tangle with his as I land halfway on his chest. His arms come around me to prevent me from rolling off to the side and hitting my head on the dresser. Erik smoothly sits up and lowers his bent legs, and suddenly I’m sitting on his lap with my hands pressed against his chest.

His bare chest.

I can’t see it, but I can feel it, and oh boy. What a chest.

When I’m settled, Erik’s arms drop from around mine, giving me freedom to move. My hands drift downward, brushing across taut abs before I bring them back up to his shoulders.

“Are you done?” Erik whispers, his voice near my ear. I run my hands up from his shoulders to find his head to the side of mine, his face turned toward me. I can’t see his smirk, but I can feel it beneath my fingers. I tap his lips twice and then pull my hands away.

“Now I’m done.”

Erik doesn’t ask if I can get off, instead he hooks his arm behind me, and in a feat of strength, stands up and sets me on my feet.

“What were you doing on the floor?” I whisper to the dark, where I assume Erik is still standing in front of me.

“Sit ups.”

“At four in the morning?”

“I like to get an early start.”

“A shirtless early start,” I mumble.

“Like that, did you?” His voice is low and close. I can’t see Erik, but I can hear that cute smirk. I’ve felt it with my own fingers. Definitely cute. Either sleepy me is imagining things, or early morning Erik is very flirty.

And sleepy me wants to be flirty back.

But nature calls.

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