Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
“I thought the airline upgrade to business class with my miles included accommodations at a better hotel, is all,” he reasons aloud to me, but I’m not following what he means. Not right away.
The hotel looks perfectly fine to me. I’d give anything to be in a cooler place with low lights and a cool shower, but Mark seems genuinely disappointed and angry. It’s as if it was he who had to stay here.
The blast of a car horn behind me makes me jump. My nerves, mind, and emotions feel like they’re all about to unravel at once. I feel my chest tighten, and mild panic sets in until I realize that Mark really is just trying to help.
But locking the car doors? That’s weird.
“I didn’t want you stepping out into oncoming traffic, so I locked the doors,” he adds matter-of-factly, reading my thoughts and making me feel that sense of helplessness every time I try to feel even the slightest bit angry with him for very long.
“I’m sure the hotel’s fine,” I decide out loud, already knowing that he’s won, already feeling how empty it would be if he were just to check me in and leave. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if he wasn’t my guide.
If he wasn’t so damned handsome…
“It’s miles away from anywhere good,” Mark says, glancing over his shoulder with disgust at the building I think I’d normally be a little excited about if it weren’t for Mark being here. He obviously doesn’t want me to stay at the hotel.
“What else can I do?” I ask, trying not to smile when he looks like he’s really giving the matter some thought. He even scratches his head and pokes the ground with the tip of his canvas shoe.
“You could… you should come and stay with me,” he finally drawls, my heart instantly thrilling in my chest as I forget all the other stupid feelings I’ve been having.
I forget about hotels and dads and anything that isn’t Mark asking me to stay at his place. My reaction instantly pleases him, and he sniffs while making a macho face that makes my legs feel weak the longer I stare at him.
My little tantrum worked, not because I was really trying for anything. I guess deep down, I only want to stay with Mark. I don’t want to leave his side for a minute, let alone a few hours or worse.
I shiver a breath in, glued to the spot as I watch him move closer to me. I see how well-groomed he is, how great he smells, and the high-end car shining the bright sunlight into his insanely dark eyes.
I can’t help but agree now that the hotel won’t do. Not if a room… a bed, no less, is what Mark’s offering me to take the hotel’s place.
“You’ll love it!” Mark smiles enthusiastically.
I feel like a girl who won a giant stuffed toy at a fair, and Mark looks like a man with at least something he wants. He lists everything we can see and do from his waterfront apartment.
“Here? Can’t see the bridge from here,” he states in a broad Aussie accent that makes me giggle. I still haven’t pegged whether he’s putting it on for my benefit or if he really talks like this when he gets excited about something.
Or when he’s about to get his own way…
Either way, I like both his accents—the Aussie one that creeps out and the one I’m more familiar with. Both have an instant effect on me every time he says anything.
“And, of course, the Opera House… You can see it better from my balcony than the harbour.”
I don't know what he means, but I can't wait if it’s the same bridge I saw as we circled to land. Everything looked so flat from the air, but there were trees everywhere, and the suburbs seemed to butt right up against the city center. The entire focus of the city is the harbour, though, and I’m sure anyplace with Mark as host is gonna be way better than a budget hotel.
I get in the car without a word, neither of us saying anything or even looking at each other for quite a while, but like me, I can feel Mark smiling on the inside as much as I am.
Like a true gentleman, he doesn’t mention my mini-meltdown, and I don’t mention him locking me in the car, which I guess means we’re even. The tiredness and grouchiness I felt before have been replaced with a fresh, buzzing sensation fueled by the idea that Mark secretly wanted me to stay at his place all along. I can’t help wondering why he and dad didn’t plan it that way.
Maybe he didn’t wanna get stuck with a bratty kid in his house. The kind prone to being irritable when they’re tired and hungry? Y’know?