Page 26 of Zylus

“Yes, twenty-four of them.”

“No. Twenty-six.”

Her explanation tumbles out of her mouth, each staccato word making our predicament clear. Neither of us knows how it happened, but a couple just showed up, although their reservation was canceled in the system.

We could spend long moments parsing through the facts so we can find a way to blame each other, but we both know the situation is too serious to waste time on.

About a month ago, we ran out of funds for the remodel. The bank wasn’t willing to give us a single credit more in an unsecured loan, so after agonizing about it, I put my little house up as collateral.

The bank made it clear the loan needed to be repaid within sixty days. We ran the numbers and realized that if we could open for business today, and run at close to 100% occupancy, we could pay off the loan—my loan, my house.

Misty even broke her self-imposed silence to thank me. We both knew how much was riding on it.

We can’t afford to send these people away. After the briefest discussion of how to proceed, I pull on clothes to go placate the new arrivals while she hurries to her room to clean it so our guests can move right in. She told me to give her ten minutes, and after talking to this Vucillian couple for half a minute, I realize that’s all they’re going to give me. They’re tired from traveling and are grumpy, bordering on rude.

Misty moved into the room across the hall from me yesterday because her room, the master, would fetch a higher daily rate. Hopefully, it won’t be too hard for her to neaten it and drag her things into my room; she hasn’t done more than sleep there for one night.

Two minutes later, she texts me to bring them up, and two minutes after that, we’re both standing awkwardly in my room. Her arms are folded across her chest and we’re avoiding eye contact. Vortex, who has taken to sleeping with me every night, is backed into a corner, looking at us with concern. Even he is wondering what’s going to happen next.

Chapter Twenty-One

Misty

I want to stomp my foot and blame Zylus for everything. Of course, I won’t. Not only am I too mature for that, it’s not his fault. Who knows how this happened? For all I know, it was a slip ofmyfingers, not his.

Either way, here we are. We can’t afford to have a loud argument. I don’t want our guests to hear. We just stand here, me tapping my foot, a scowl on my face, him glancing toward Vortex, probably hoping the cutechitzawill distract us from the verbal brawl we both know is brewing.

“For how many days are we overbooked?” The look on his face is priceless. His eyes are closed and his shoulders are lifted as if he’s expecting a physical blow.

“The next vacancy is in five days,” I deliver the news, defeat in my voice. Five days sharing this room with him might as well be a year.

“I’ll sleep on the floor. Don’t worry. You don’t need a locked door between us to keep me from touching you.” His voice is clipped, gaze averted.

What’s that supposed to mean? Is he insinuating he’s not interested? I’d feel crushed if I didn’t see the tent growing in his pants. Dammit, why am I even looking at his crotch?

But I am. Desire I’ve tried to repress for months floods through my system, bombarding me with pictures of him naked in the firelight. I’m blasted with memories of the kisses we shared, more passionate than anything I’ve felt before.

Though I’ve wrapped myself in anger these last three months, it no longer protects me from the emotions I’ve been hiding. Arousal, hot and deep, surges through me.

Shaking my head, I remind myself of my end goal. I didn’t fly across the galaxy with high hopes of owning this place, only to wind up in a failed partnership. I need to keep my eye on the prize. The Interstellar Inn.

“No problem. I never did change my lock, and you’ve obviously never barged in.” I don’t know why, but I feel compelled to get in a jab. “Nor has your alleged brother.”

“Misty.” He says my name slowly, taking care to enunciate every letter. He swallows once, before forcing out his next words. “Let me apologize again. I should have immediately come clean about my—and my brother’s—ability to become incorporeal.”

“There’s one way to apologize.” My tone is bold, coldhearted. “Let me buy you out.” For the first time in days, I give him a long stare, complete with bolts of fire shooting from my eyes. This is what I need to do. Force my attraction back to where I’ve buried it and keep nursing my anger.

He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath that expands his chest and lifts those wide shoulders. Then he sags into the wooden rocker in the corner near the small fireplace, his huge frame dwarfing it. It’s silent in the room for so long that I wonder if he’s fallen asleep.

Is he considering my offer? This should make me happy, right?

After leaning forward, elbows on his thighs, then sitting up and scratching the back of his head, he spears me with his blue gaze and nods. “Okay, Misty. You win. I’ll sign the paperwork.”

Although this is what I wanted, I never expected it would be this easy.

“I regret how I treated you. It obviously hurt you deeply. We’ve shared a house for three months and you’ve rarely spoken to me. Perhaps I don’t understand the depths to which I’ve wronged you, but I’m a male of my word. You want the Interstellar Inn? I’ll make it happen.”

I stare at him, my throat tightening with a sudden swell of emotion. “Zylus, I… I don’t know what to say.”

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