Page 22 of Not That Complicated

I pulled my hand away and took a long step back from the desk. “Congratulations on the excellent genes, I suppose,” I said. I pulled my laptop bag around to cover the absolutely disgraceful boner that was going to make walking out of here uncomfortable.

To my ego’s delight, I wasn’t the only one thwarted. Adam’s peachy cheeks (his face cheeks, I fumed at myself, don’t you dare think of his naked arse) flushed with a delicious wash of subtle rose. He glared at me, then his attention cut to the couple coming in.

“If you’ll step aside and let me check in these guests, I’ll process you after—”

“Nope.” I tapped the desk. “Nice try, though. I’m here first.” I turned to the new arrivals. “You guys aren’t going to push in front of me or anything, are you?”

“Of course not!” the woman said, scandalised.

Adam sent everyone a tight smile.

Hah, I thought. A point for Ray. Suck it, sunshine.

For a horrifying moment, and based on the calculating look Adam shot me, I thought that once again I’d spoken out loud.

A quick check on the murmuring couple waiting at a polite distance behind me showed them unbothered.

“There we go, sir,” Adam said. “All checked out.” He slid a small folder with the receipt in over the desk. He kept a hand on it until I looked up. Holding my gaze, he slipped a business card inside. “If there’s anything else you need from us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

His expression was bland. His eyes were intense.

I dragged the receipt out from under his hand. “Thanks,” I said. “But I can’t imagine needing your services again.”

“Hmm,” he said.

I’d moved away but at that smug, irritating hum I ducked back to add, “Sweet of you, though. But I won’t.”

“We’ll see.”

“Ha ha. No, we won’t.”

“Enjoy sleeping in a gravesite.”

“What?”

“Hope you don’t get haunted. Restless spirits. Disturbed resting place. Angry ghosts and all that.” He plastered a professional smile on his stupid face and waved the couple up to the desk. “Good evening, madam. How may I help you?”

“You absolute fucking arsehole,” I said, wonderingly.

The couple gasped.

I stormed out.

CHAPTER SEVEN

The crime scene tape hadbeen removed, which was a promising start. I still hesitated on the doorstep. I jiggled my house keys nervously and glanced around.

I felt like I was about to break the law, which was ridiculous. It was my house. I had permission and a legal right to go in there. I just didn’t want to.

At all.

My fingers tightened around the handle of my overnight bag.

Either I manned up and went in there, or I had to go crawling back to Adam. To the Premier Lodge, I mean.

I couldn’t get my key in the lock quickly enough.

This was fine. I could do this. It was fine.

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