Page 4 of Temptation and Treachery
“Well, would we be able to check in?” She asked.
“Not until after four p.m. It’s procedure.” Four o’clock was over an hour away.
“What if I paid extra, for today?” She opened her purse.
“No, ma’am.” He shook his head, hiking a shoulder. “I don’t normally work the front, so I have to follow procedure to avoid causing a problem.”
“Well, can I make a reservation?”
“The internet’s down,” he reminded her. “So I can’t get into the computer.”
She looked over her shoulder at Rio, that scared rabbit look replaced by annoyance. He typed in a search for hotels on his phone, shaking his head when his browser eventually timed out. Likely everyone, stranded or not, was using their phone, bogging down the network. They hadn’t passed another hotel, and there was no telling if there was anything within walking distance. “We can grab some coffee or something then come back.”
“Well, if the internet isn’t back, you’ll still have to wait. But if it’s after six, I can write you in.”
“At six we can check in?” she asked. The kid nodded. “Not before.” He shook his head.
“It’s procedure,” they said at the same time.
“After the six o’clock cutoff, I can work with the rooms without a late check-in reservation. We should have plenty of rooms, so don’t worry. I’ll make sure you have a place to stay.” He jotted down their names then turned in his direction. “I-I can hold your bag in the office, if you’d like.”
“That’s all right.” Rio went out the door, scanning from one end of the street to the other.
“Trust issues, much?” Her low tone teased him as she approached.
A smile played at one corner of his lips, enjoying this side of Celeste. “Definitely, Miss Celeste-of-no-last-name.” Head held high, she walked past him, ignoring his grin.
Usually, he was the one not sharing personal information, yet it bugged him she didn’t offer more. What was she hiding? He studied her, from her unadorned hair to her flower-covered dress and brown heels. “You okay to walk around in those shoes?”
“Yes, of course.” They started toward the cafe. “Um, you don’t need to wait on me.” She gave him a quick glance, shoving her hands into her coat pockets as she stepped up the pace. “I’ll do some reading to pass the time.” She patted her bag.
This wasn’t an opportunity to cut out; she’d all but dismissed him. And it rubbed him raw. Well, everyone’s gotta eat. And one of them should be chowing down on a generous helping of crow. “Okay. Then I’ll head over to the pastry shop and grab a snack.”
…
Celeste stopped mid-stride. “Pastries?” She glanced his way as he swung around and headed in the opposite direction. The jerk didn’t even acknowledge her. Her narrow-eyed glare followed him for a handful of steps before she gave in and followed. To add insult to injury, she had to hurry if she was going to match his long-legged stride.
He adjusted the shoulder strap on his bag as he gave her a quick glance.
“Changed your mind?” The dark sunglasses hid his eyes, but she had a sneaking suspicion he was laughing on the inside.
“The weather’s perfect for coffee and pastries,” she said with exaggerated sweetness.
They continued across the street and down the block to where a group of people walked out a glass door, carrying disposable coffee cups. The scent of freshly baked bread reached her before she could see the storefront. Her mouth watered as she imagined the soft, sweet confections inside.
Rio stepped ahead, pulling the door open for her. Jerking her head back, she caught the hint of laughter on his lips. A blush worked its way up her face. One sniff of sugary goodness and she’d all but forgotten she wasn’t alone. She averted her face and practically dove into the shop, narrowly missing an exiting hipster. “I’m so sorry.” She cringed, her cheeks going from a mild blush to a full scorch.
The man scowled, holding his coffee away from his vintage leather jacket. One look over her shoulder and he shut his mouth, reconsidering whatever he was about to say. She followed his gaze, but Rio placed a hand at her hip, burning her right through to the skin and urging her forward to the line of customers with an arm wrapped around her protectively. The guy adjusted his beanie and cut around them to get out the door.
“I don’t know if they have lattes, but according to Bud, their Danish is a favorite.”
“Regular coffee’s good.” Within a few seconds, the line had moved forward. Celeste craned her neck to look in the display case. Trays of streusel, bear claws, fritters, and éclairs lined the bottom. The top held an array of Danish, from pecan and maple to cheese, with several fruit-filled in between. All of them looked divine. She bit her thumbnail. Would Rio think less of her if she bought a box, with a full assortment? She eyed the top rack then looked down at the streusel.
They made it to the clerk, a college-aged woman who ran the back of her gloved hand along her temple. “How may I help you?” While she asked Celeste, her eyes wandered to Rio more than once.
Studying the display, he asked, “Danish or streusel?”
She wrinkled her brow. How had he known what she was looking at? “I-I can’t decide.” Again, she had the sense he was amused by her.
