Page 16 of Some Like It Hott

I’d have to set up an account and create a password.

Franklin’s sigh suggested weary patience.I think this might be an example of first-world, rich-people problems

I think you might be right,I said tiredly.

And then, when I finally arrived, there washer.

Obstacle-ing the shit out of my already-complicated-enough life.

Dancing on the fucking desk.

Reaching for my tie and making all the blood in my entire body flee for the equator.

All I want is to keep this as simple as possible. Occupy my room. Dispatch the stupid will. Get the hell out of dodge. No complications. No distractions. And definitely, absolutely,no temptations.

And instead, here she is, making everything hard.

Not likethat.

But yeah, definitely like that.

Obviously my grandfather’s point about all work and no play had some validity: It’s beenwaytoo long since I got laid.

And there’s nothing I hate more than my grandfather being right, even a little bit.

The elevator touches down on the main floor and opens. I head to the desk, where a pretty woman with short blond hair greets me for the second time. She’s not someone I’ve met on my previous visits to Rush Creek, so she must be new-ish.

I slide my keycard across the dark wood desktop. “This room is already occupied.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry! I don’t know how that happened, Mr. Hott!”

“It was awkward.”

She winces. “I can imagine. I’m so, so sorry. We can—comp you breakfast. And a drink at the bar?—”

“I’m not a paying guest,” I remind her. “All those things are already free.”

“Right,” she says. “Well…”

She falls silent.

“Just fix it,” I say.

“Of course, Mr. Hott. Right away.”

She’s back a moment later with a new key card.

“You’re sure this one is unoccupied.”

“Ninety-nine point…” She hesitates. “Two?”

“Good enough,” I say. “Hopefully I won’t see you again tonight.”

“Hopefully!” she says, then clasps her hand over her mouth. “Of course, Mr. Hott, we arealwayshappy to see you and serve you in any way we?—

I raise my eyebrows skeptically, and she trails off.

“Good night, Mr. Hott,” she says, more subdued.

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