Page 3 of One Night Together

CHAPTER 3

CASSIE

“Thank you,” Cassie said to the doorman as she left the hotel. She noted only one valet on duty. Wearing dark slacks and a white shirt, he leaned on a podium, staring at his phone.

“Hi. Can you help me?” she asked.

The valet glanced up from his phone, doing a double take.

Did he know her? He didn’t look familiar to her.

She walked closer, saying, “The front desk said you could order a cab for me.”

The valet remained silent. Maybe he didn’t speak English. Cassie repeated her request in Greek.

“I’m sorry, I don’t speak Greek.” He was American. “And yes, I can get you a cab.” His lips curved into a slow smile. “Give me a second.” He tapped a few keys on his phone.

Cassie put her bag down and studied the valet. He wasn’t the typical young, clean-cut valet with his longish, messy hair and beard. He was probably in his early thirties.

“Hey,” he said into the phone, not taking his eyes off her. “I need a ride for a Kronos guest.”

Finally. This was more like it.

“Listen to me,” he said in a low voice. “I have a guest who needs a ride.” He slipped his phone into his pocket and gave her a smile. “Your car will be here any second.” His gaze raked over her body.

She should be offended by this sort of scrutiny, but this felt different. Every nerve ending in her body came alive with the glimmer of interest in his eyes.

Screeching tires took her attention away from him. A sleek red Ferrari arrived and stopped in front of the hotel.

“Your cab is here.” He gestured to the flashy sports car.

“What?” She laughed. “This isn’t a cab.” She had no idea what was going on, but there was no way this guy was a valet. And she sure as hell wasn’t going to get in that car.

“It is.” He opened the passenger door with a flourish.

“What’s this all about?” the driver asked.

Just as she suspected. This must be some kind of scam, and she didn’t want any part of it.

A cab pulled up, and a couple stepped out. Perfect timing. She picked up her bag and headed to the Toyota. “Are you free?” she asked the driver.

“Yeah,” he answered.

She climbed inside and took a deep breath, relieved to be away from all that nonsense. “Take me to the Triton Hotel, please.” She put on her seatbelt.

Someone tapped on the window. It was the valet.

With an irritated huff, Cassie rolled down the window.A pair of extraordinary amber eyes focused on her with intense concentration.He looked like a lion with his wild mane of hair, ready to claim and devour her in ways she’d only imagined.

“Is there a problem?” she asked, hoping she appeared in control.

“No problem.” His powerful gaze relaxed as he studied her.“I forgot to tell you something.”

“What’s that?” she asked, wondering what he wanted to say to her.

His eyes lingered on her lips. “I just wanted to wish you a nice evening, Ms.—”

Was he flirting with her? She withdrew into herself, intimidated by his direct attention. “It’s doctor,” she said in a harsher tone than intended.

His eyebrows rose in surprise. “Of course, it is.” A huge smile spread across his face.

She’d expected him to apologize, not to be amused. As the car left the curb, she closed the window and tried to put him out of her mind. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop seeing those mesmerizing eyes. No man had ever looked at her with that much intensity. Undeniable arousal stirred deep inside her that had been dormant for a long time.

Leaning against the headrest, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath as the car wound around the streets, the twists and turns making her sleepy. All too soon, the car came to a stop.

“We’re here. The Triton Hotel.”

“Thanks.” She paid the driver, took her bag, and stepped out of the car.

Cassie gazed up at the small, three-story hotel. This is where she was meant to be, not at the Kronos monstrosity. She walked toward the hotel’s familiar bougainvillea-covered entrance and relaxed. The Triton Hotel was like a second home to her, and she looked forward to the tranquility. But with each step, she couldn’t deny the stirring of interest she felt looking into the valet’s eyes.

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