Page 88 of The Rogue

“I need to update that actually,” she said.

The eyebrows of the woman behind the desk shot upward.

“It’s just... I... The wedding ended up not actually happening. But I’m here. And I have... My friend... Just add Justice King to the reservation. If it matters.”

“It probably doesn’t,” the woman said.

“I just didn’t want the other name on there.”

The woman met her eyes for a moment, then she nodded. “Understandable,” she said, typing quickly on her computer.

“And I was won—Whathewas wondering... is there any way we could check in early?”

“I’m not sure if the room is ready...”

At that moment, Justice came in, carrying the twobags they had brought. He grinned at the woman behind the counter. And then looked at Rue. “Getting checked in okay?”

“I’ll see what I can do about the early check-in,” the woman said, looking at him, then looking back at Rue. Rue’s heart started to beat a little bit faster. This was actually going to happen.

She felt her face getting hot.

“I didn’t see the other guy,” the woman whispered, reaching into a drawer and taking out two key cards which she put into a machine that was obviously programming them. “But all I can say about who you brought with you is... nice work.”

“Yes,” Rue said, her breath coming out in a gust. “I think so.”

Usually, in these situations she felt slightly awkward. All these years, people had been assuming that Justice was her man. He hadn’t been. He had been just a friend. But now... Well. Things were a bit more complicated. And the woman’s assumptions weren’t wrong. They wanted an early check-in so...

She was starting to get nervous. Very nervous.

“You’ll be room 605. Sixth floor, and you’re going to take that third elevator bank and go up. Then all the way down at the end of the hall. You have a view that overlooks the mountains, and the most spacious accommodations available.”

“Thank you,” she said.

The whole place was done up in a sort of rustic fanciness, glossy wooden beams and antlers adorning everything. There were also a lot of touches of newtechnology. A beautiful haven out in the middle of nowhere.

She was focusing on those details because if not she might actually hyperventilate and pass out. And that wasn’t what she was trying to do. Justice for his part was a silent, strong figure behind her, and her throat was dry, her body achy.

She might’ve thought she had a fever, or was catching some sort of illness if the malady hadn’t come on as soon as they approached the room.

He had bags, so she was the one that took the card out and unlocked the door, pushing it open so that they could let themselves in.

The room was... It was gorgeous. The back wall was entirely glass, nearly invisible sliding doors leading out to an expansive balcony that overlooked the mountains.

They were covered in snow, a winter wonderland right outside.

Not a person or residence anywhere in the view. A lovely feature, because that meant windows that size didn’t compromise privacy.

She pushed open the bathroom door, and saw that it was nearly as big as the bedroom. There was a massive tub, freestanding, like a giant white bowl positioned next to a window, and then there was a big glass shower with two showerheads positioned opposite each other. Definitely for a couple to enjoy it together.

She swallowed hard, then looked back at the room. At the bed, which she had been trying to ignore.

It was huge. The bedding all white and plush. Thisroom wasn’t quite so rustic as the rest of the hotel. It had more of a sleek, modern design to it, but still seemed warm and soft. But most importantly, the bed had a sort of minimalistic quality that seemed to announce that its real and only true function was for two people to be on it, exploring each other.

Not sleeping.

There was nothing in the way of extra pillows or other accoutrements that might get in the way. No. It was all about having an expansive playing field.

“I can hear you thinking,” he said.

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