Page 4 of Resorting to Love
“Thanks, Susie,” he says, but that’s all he gets out before Susie squeals like the admirer she clearly is.
“You remember my name!” Her cheeks are hot-pink, and she’s giggling and fanning herself. Over the top much?
Eli seems unaffected by the attention. There’s no flirty response, nor does he point out that she’s wearing a name tag. Maybe he’s used to this sort of reaction.
Maybe I’m putting too much thought into all things Eli, and should find a way to curb my curiosity.
“It seems I was assigned to the wrong cabin,” he says, placing his key on the desk once Susie has pulled herself together sufficiently to function. “Ms. Bartlett here was very surprised to find me in her living room when she unlocked the door. She showed me her reservation information, and she’s clearly supposed to be in the Forestview cabin this week.”
Susie’s fingers are clicking away at the computer as Eli speaks. “Yes, you’re supposed to be in Skyview Cottage, Eli. I’m so sorry for the mix-up. I’ll get you the correct key and have somebody transfer your luggage right away.”
“I still don’t understand why you couldn’t do this over the phone,” I say to him, while Susie puts in a call to another employee, explaining what needs to be done.
He leans closer to me, his breath tickling my skin as his deep voice slides into my ear. “Because what I want might require some in-person persuasion.”
Susie cuts in before I can respond. “Ted’s just finishing his break, then he’ll head right over to Forestview cabin.” She hands Eli a key, her cheeks growing a fresh crop of roses when her fingers brush against his. “Here’s your correct key. Would you like me to show you where it is?”
Holding the key and her gaze, he flashes a smile that’s Prince Charming perfect. “That won’t be necessary. About the cabin… There is something you can do for me, Susie, as a personal favor.”
“Anything.” Susie leans forward as far as the wooden counter between them allows. “Name it.”
Witnessing their exchange puts my years of practiced control to the test. It’s been a long time since I watched TV dramas, and now I have a front-row seat for a live soap opera. My mom would be in her glory if she were here. She loved all this-would-never-happen-in-real-life romances.
“I need you to switch the reservations. I’ll be staying in Forestview cabin, and Chloe will take Skyview Cottage.”
“What?”I ask, inserting myself in the conversation. “You can’t just kick me out of my cabin.”
Susie tears her attention from Eli to blink at me as if I’ve just appeared out of nowhere,andI have two heads. “Skyview Cottage is one of our most sought-after accommodations. It’s private, unique, and the view is stunning. All of our cabins are great, but Skyview is one of the best.”
I turn my focus to Eli. “Did you know that?”
“I haven’t seen it, but I assume it’s true. My assistant always books the best room available.”
“Your assistant.” I say the words slowly and deliberately, as if I’m trying out a new language. I might as well be, because who has an assistant to book their vacation? And who only books the best room available? Nobody I know.
“I’m happy to make that change for you,” Susie says, tapping away on her keyboard.
“Wait, don’t—” I stick my hand across the counter. “If it’s a premiere cabin, there’s probably a surcharge. I’ll stick with the one I booked.”
Susie nods. “Okay, no problem, I’ll switch them back.”
“Leave them,” Eli says, sweeping my hand off the desk, then pressing the key to my palm. “Chloe will be in Skyview, and any charges she hasn’t already paid will be billed to my account. For the cabin, services, whatever. Put them all on my account.”
“No. No way.” I’m shaking my head fast enough to rattle my brain, but I can still see Susie’s confused expression in my peripheral vision. “I can’t accept any of that. I don’t want to. And it won’t coerce me to have sex with you.”
Susie’s doe eyes nearly bug right out of her face. “Who needs to becoercedinto having sex with Eli Wood?”
Eli doesn’t acknowledge Susie’s comment. It’s as if she’s not even in the room, actually. His full attention is on me as he pushes his fingers through his close-cropped hair.
“You just drove ten hours, Chloe. I don’t know why you drove instead of flying. I don’t know why you’re here alone. Am I hoping to learn the answers to those questions and a lot more while you’re here? Hell yes. But I’m not trying to coerce you into anything. You should’ve been able to walk into your cabin and unwind immediately, but you couldn’t. I’m fortunate to be in a position to rectify that, and improve your stay a little in the process. I’d like it very much if you’d let me. No strings, no expectations. I promise.”
“It’s like I’m in an episode ofLiberty General,” Susie says, resting her chin on her hands as she stares. “That sounds just like something Dr. Grayson Black would say to Nurse Zoe.”
My confusion only lasts a split second, then all the pieces click into place in my brain. “Oh my God, no.”
“You really won’t switch cabins?” he asks.
“Oh, that. Fine, yes. I’ll agree to the switch, and you can cover the difference between the two cabin charges, but nothing more.” I point an index finger toward starstruck Susie. “Put that in a note on my account, please.”
