Page 33 of What I've Tasted of Desire

“Why would this guy be taking you to a hotel? Is there something going on between you two?” I allowed my face to fall, and looked away momentarily in dramatic disappointment. “I’m not into games, Alex…” I began somberly, “...you told me you were single.” My tone wasn't accusatory or rough, but more forlorn.

“N-no! Iamsingle. I c-can explain.”

“Ahh, sothisis why you fought leaving the house so hard when Melissa was insisting. You had a date with your little fireman,” Mike sneered.

I turned around, walked up the porch to Alex, and handed him the pizza box. “I think I’m just going to go home, Alex. I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s shady. I don’t do shady.”

I turned around and started to head down the steps when Alex begged, “No! P-please, l-let me explain!” He turned to Mike, “M-mike, thanks for ch-checking on me. You can go home now!”

Mike grunted and swore under his breath before stomping off towards the road.

“Please come inside, Gabe, and I’ll explain,” he pleaded.

After some feigned hesitation that was fully at odds with the giddiness in my heart, I turned around and nodded, allowing Alex to lead me inside. Once the door was closed, Alex explained—stammering and nervous—how he was having problems with a stalker that had been leaving him notes and breaking into the house.

He told me he had gone to the police about it, and that Mike had been there helping when the police had initially come to take the report of the break-in.

“Not to stir trouble, but I’m just going to throw this out there,” I said. “You are having a stalker problem, and I caught that man creeping around your bushes after dark without you having any knowledge of him being here…”

Alex mulled my words over with a slight raise in his eyebrow.

“So what do we do now?” I asked him after he didn’t speak for a minute.

“I have t-t-to check into a hotel ‘t-til they install a s-security s-system.”

“How long will that be?”

“Three days.”

I had not anticipated spending the next few days in a hotel with Alex. I had actually thought maybe he would be scared and want to stay at my place. A hotel wasbetter. It could be like a mini-vacation, just the two of us. Secluded. Romantic.

“Did you already book a hotel?”

Alex shook his head.

“Well, I’m off till Sunday. Maybe…”

You’re being too forward.

“...maybe we could get a hotel together. Play tourist for a couple days?”

Stupid, he’s already freaked out. He doesn’t want to go away with you!

“That s-sounds kind of awesome.”

“Really?” I felt like I had just found the cure for cancer or something. Alex saidyes!

“I’ll need to stop by my place and pack a bag, but that’s easy,” I told him, grinning from ear-to- ear. If I listened closely, I swore I could hear something. Wedding bells. Angels singing.

***

Having Alex inside my space was intoxicating, and it took me longer than it should have to throw a few changes of clothes and my toothbrush into a duffel bag. Hell, being in Alex’s presenceanywherewas intoxicating. I couldn’t believe I was going to get to spend the next three days with him in a little hotel paradise.

The Hazelwood Hotel was exquisite. Charming and quaint—I couldn’t have picked a better place myself. I carried Alex’s bag along with my own as we made our way through the lobby to check in.

“Good evening, gentleman. Checking in?” A pretty young woman in a blue suit was waiting at the immense mahogany desk when we entered the lobby.

I looked over at Alex. “Did you book the rooms in your name?”

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