Page 80 of Short Stack 3

“Okay,” Simon says. “Let’s go up to the suite. You can have a look around and see if it suits you. If not, a couple of our feature rooms are available for you to look at too. Are you coming, Artie?”

I shake my head immediately. “I don’t think so. This is for Carla and Russell. We’ll wait downstairs for you,” I say to the couple. “We’ll be in the bar. Jed?”

My husband jerks as if his mind is far away. “Oh yes. We’ll see you in the bar.”

My eyes narrow. What was he thinking about? It’s not like him to be distracted. He’s usually laser-focused during meetings.

Carla and Russell depart with Simon, and I move next to Jed. He throws his arm over my shoulder, and I smile up at him. “Shall we get some lunch before we go back to the office? I’mstarving.”

“Of course.”

Ever the gentleman, he motions me forward and puts a hand on my lower back. It’s as though he has to touch me, and his hand always falls there. It’s also where he touches me when we’re making love. Unfortunately, rather than move into his touch like I usually do, I give a yelp of pain and flinch away.

“What thefuck?” Jed breathes. “What was that about?”

“Nothing.”

His eyes are frantic, and he hovers next to me, his hands fluttering as if he doesn’t know where to put them. “Artie?” His gaze firms, and his eyes flare with a dangerous gleam. “Has someone hurt you?”

“No. Oh my god.”

“Would you tell me if someone had?”

I stare at him. “Of course I would.” The simple honesty in my voice seems to settle him, but he’s still looking at me and expecting answers. I sigh. “Come on.”

“Come on, where?” He dogs my footsteps as I leave the room. I take a left and end up outside a single bathroom on a quiet corridor. “Artie?”

After opening the door, I pull him in, ignoring his startled huff. I shut the door behind him and then lock it and lean against it. “I did something.”

He folds his arms. “What?”

“You can’t be mad.”

“When am Ievermad with you?”

I think about this for a moment. “Okay. I’m hoping you won’t be put off. Oh my god,” I breathe. “What if you’re repulsed?”

“Byyou?” His tone is incredulous, and when I nod, he scoffs. “Not in this lifetime.”

I brighten at the certainty in his voice and then remove my messenger bag and suit jacket.

He takes them obediently when I hand them to him and then watches me unbutton my shirt. “Erm, what is happening at the moment?” he asks mildly. I finish unbuttoning it and throw it to him. He catches it neatly and adds it to his little clothes pile. A smile is starting to play on his full lips. “I just want you to know that I like you best of all without clothes. Please make a note of that.”

“I’d write it in my notepad, but my hands are busy at the moment.”

“I’m noticing that.” He watches me unbuckle my belt. “Well, I certainly didn’t expect this when I arrived here today,” he says in a chatty voice. I unzip my trousers. “Should we be doing this by the sink?”

I laugh and then hesitate. “Okay, I’m going to show you something.”

“Well, that’s good. I thought maybe you’d just been seized with the impulse to strip naked.” He holds up his hand. “Please don’t ever back away from that urge.”

“Dream on.” I hesitate and then turn around, leaning my hands against the door and arching my back.

There’s a startled silence. “Have you hurt yourself? What’s this patch on your back?”

“Look closer.”

I hear him suck in his breath. “Artie.”

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