Page 36 of Boss's Baby: A Fake Fiance Romance

I wanted to say no, but Josh had worked his magic. And besides, we were just going to talk, right? No deciding.

In spite of everything, I opened my mouth and said…

“OK. Sure.”

Chapter 16

CASSIDY

The lobby of the Shelton about damn near took my breath away. It was grand, like something out of another time. The interior was all antique furniture and columns, a huge dome looming over the whole affair.

And it must’ve been quite obvious how stunned I was, as I spotted Josh giving me a coy grin.

“Like it?”

“It’s amazing. I’d always wondered what this place looked like on the inside, ever since I was a little girl.”

“Never thought to come in?”

I shook my head. “No. When you’re, um, from not the richest family in the world you tend to think places like this are off-limits. I don’t know, I guess I figured they’d spot my clothes and throw me out on my ass.”

He laughed.

“Something funny?”

“No. I mean, kind of. I remember how you looked in high school—it’s not like you were wearing a barrel with straps on it or something. Or maybe a big burlap sack with arm and leg holes cut out.”

I couldn’t stop myself from chuckling at the image. “I know, I know. It’s pretty irrational. Still…” I gestured to the well-dressed men and women around us, all obviously wealthy. “You guys wore nothing but designer brands and all that. I was totally out of fashion, on top of being in the throes of teenage awkwardness.”

“That’s something else I remember.”

“What, my awkwardness?”

“No, not at all. You were gorgeous, even back then. And nothing’s changed.”

Lord help me, my cheeks went bright red at his compliment. Damn, did I hate how easily he could make me feel so good with only a word or two.

Together the two of us headed to the front desk, Josh clearly known by the entire staff. After checking in, Josh and I headed toward one of the gold-doored elevators and were soon alone and on our way to the fifth floor—where the nicest of the nice suites were.

And as we rode, I secretly watched Josh, taking in his gorgeous profile, thinking back to the fun we’d had in the back of his car. And, hell, I had to admit, it was fun. Sure, it was a little weird, and I still didn’t feel 100 percent cool about it, but it’d been some killer sex. And after the dry spell I’d had, it’d done me some good. Part of me, a really naughty part, wanted to hit “stop” and have a quick round two right there in the elevator.

The doors opened, however, and I pushed the thoughts out of my head, as nice as they might’ve been to entertain.

“This way.” Josh led me down the hallway of red carpet and pearl-white walls, the two of us eventually reaching a grand set of double doors at the end.

He swiped a keycard, and the lock opened with a soft click. The room beyond was even nicer than I’d anticipated. It was one of the presidential suites, and it looked every bit the name. It shared the same décor style as the rest of the hotel, the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over a lovely patio. I stepped over and took in the view of downtown Pine Shades, the crisscross roads of the city lit up with the same reds and greens and whites I saw driving through them. It was beautiful.

“I hate to be cliché,” I said. “But I think I can see my house from here.”

Josh chuckled as he flicked on the fireplace, the flames crackling to life instantly. “Something to drink?”

“Um, tonic. With just a splash of vodka.” Truth be told, it was the tonic I was more interested in. My lack of desire for booze made me think about Katie and her reminder to go to the doctor while I was in town.

“You got it.” Josh went to work making the drinks, and we sat down on the plush red couch across from the fireplace once we had them in hand.

“This is really nice. And you said it’s a ‘standing reservation’? Like, you can come here whenever you want?”

“That’s the idea,” he said. “Dad bought a chunk of this place back when I was a kid. One time I even ran away from home and hid out here. Needless to say, it didn’t last long before the staff realized what was up, and Dad stormed in ready to raise hell.”

“That’s not a story I can relate to.” I offered a weak smile.

He appeared a touch shocked for a moment before he realized what I meant. “Sorry. Don’t mean to rub my rich kid problems in your face.”

“Nah, it’s fine. My family was working-class. Not ashamed. But still…” I looked around, taking in the room. “Would’ve been nice to have this place to hang out in when I was younger.”

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