Page 7 of Hot Moves

"Yeah," I admit, glancing down at my reddening skin. "I think I underestimated how strong it was today."

He tilts his head, his dark eyes studying me with concern as I ignore the invisible pull between us. "Ouch. You should get some aloe vera on that. Helps a lot."

"I was just heading back to my room for a shower," I reply, feeling suddenly self-conscious. My inner hussy urges me to invite him to join me, but I manage to resist the impulse.

As the elevator ascends, I glance at him from the corner of my eye, trying to capture every detail without being too obvious. His skin is sun-kissed, but in a way that suggests he spends a lot of time outside. His dark hair is tousled, and there's an easy confidence in his stance. I feel drawn to him, and it’s not just because of his looks. There’s something deeper there, a warmth in his gaze that makes me feel at ease.

"Is this your floor?" he asks in a friendly manner as the doors quietly slide open.

"Yes," I reply, and he holds the elevator open for me to step out.

"I hope your shower relieves your discomfort." He smiles as the elevator doors slide shut.

Reaching my door, I fumble with the keycard before stepping into my room. The cool, dim interior is a blessed relief from the relentless sun. I head straight for the bathroom, stripping off my sandy clothes and stepping into the shower. The cool water cascades over my overheated skin, and I let out a sigh of relief.

As I stand there, letting the water work its magic, I replay my encounter with Lorenzo in my mind. There's something about him that intrigues me, something I can't quite put my finger on. I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. Focus on the present, Mira. You came here to relax, not to get lost in daydreams about handsome strangers.

Each drop of the cool water on my overheated skin is a tiny respite from the relentless sun I faced earlier. I stand under the refreshing stream as it washes away the tension along with the sand and salt. After a few more blissful minutes, I turn off the water and step out of the shower, wrapping myself in the hotel’s plush, white robe.

I run a towel through my wet hair, contemplating what to do next. Maybe I’ll order room service and watch a cheesy movie to escape the scorching heat outside.

Just as I’m deciding between a burger or a salad, a knock echoes from the door. My first thought is Lila, coming back sooner than expected, maybe to check on me. Wondering if she forgot her keycard again, I tighten the robe around my waist and walk over, trying to ignore the way my skin still stings.

When I open the door, I’m not met with my sister’s familiar face but with a hotel employee, impeccably dressed in a neatly pressed uniform. He holds a small package in his hands and offers me a warm, polite smile.

“Ms. Mira Jones?” he smiles and holds up his hotel badge.

“Yes, that’s me,” I reply, curious.

“This is for you.” He offers me the package, which I now recognize as a small bottle of aloe vera gel. “Compliments of Mr. Lorenzo Amante.”

I blink, taken aback. “Lorenzo Amante?” At least now I know my handsome stranger’s name. Why does his last name sound so familiar?

I push the questions to the back of my mind and take the bottle, feeling both touched and a little bewildered that the strangersomehow managed to find out not only my name but also my room number.

“Thank you,” I say, glancing at the hotel staff member.

He nods courteously. “You’re welcome. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to let us know.”

With that, he turns and heads back down the hallway, leaving me standing in the doorway with the small bottle of aloe vera gel in my hands. I close the door, leaning against it for a moment. The thoughtful gesture fills me with a warmth that rivals the sun but in a much more pleasant way.

I walk over to the mirror above the sink, uncap the bottle, and squeeze a generous amount of the gel into my hand. Carefully, I apply it to my reddened skin, feeling the soothing coolness seep in immediately. As I work, I can’t help but think of Lorenzo’s kindness. A stranger, who barely knows me, went out of his way to help. It’s unexpected, and it makes my heart flutter a little.

Once I’ve covered every sunburnt inch of my skin with the gel, I turn my attention back to my decision about dinner. But before I can make my choice, there’s another knock at the door. My mind races, hoping it’s him.

I open the door a bit hesitantly this time, my heart thumping louder than it should. But it’s just Lila, looking suntanned and glowing, a wide grin on her face.

“Hey! How’s the burn?” she asks, stepping inside before I can answer.

“Better,” I say, holding up the aloe vera gel. “Someone sent me this just now.”

“Oh?” She raises an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Who?”

“I met a man in the elevator earlier and he took pity on my lobster-red skin,” I explain, downplaying the crazy feelings that have been flowing through me since the first time I laid eyes on the handsome stranger.

Lila’s eyes widen, and she lets out a low whistle. “Fancy! A mysterious yet considerate stranger. This sounds like the start of a rom-com.”

“Lila, it’s nothing like that,” I protest, though I can’t help but smile.

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