Hold Me Read Free Page B

him. Back in the day, she would have been just the type to get him in trouble. She looked around at the town lights, glancing quickly away from the flashing neon sign of a strip club. He envisioned the unwanted image of her wrapped around a stripper pole, wearing very little.
    Shit.
    He led her across a bridge with cars trundling by in both directions. The clack of her heels mixed with the clunk of her suitcase on the pavement. He was momentarily irritated at the unsuitability of her attire. Pampered maidens generally hired cars and eschewed buses and footpaths. He supposed he could take her to a decent bed and breakfast; he knew of one nearby.
    Harrison pointed to the B&B as they approached. This place would suit her refined sensibilities. “Here we are.”
    She seemed relieved to see the B&B and that, perversely, pissed him off.
    Inside, they inquired about a room and the clerk shook his head. “Fiesta. No rooms.”
    They got the same response at two more hostels.
    Well, he’d tried, hadn’t he? She was flagging and he wanted to be rid of her. He’d seen the way she’d looked at him in the cantina, and he’d liked it too goddamn much.
    Pausing at the street that led to the hostel where he’d booked a room, he crossed his arms. “I don’t know what to tell you, Jane. Everywhere’s going to be full.”
    She retrieved her suitcase from his grip, clinging to its handle. “Where are you staying?” she asked, wide-eyed.
    He couldn’t just leave her there with no place to go. They could give it one more attempt. He turned, knowing she would follow.
    The hostel looked like a dive. The Senora in charge opened the ancient wooden gate and frowned at them for making her come out so late. Inside, the rooms surrounded a paved courtyard with a large covered kitchen in the center. Plastic utensils and plates were piled in two sinks and cheap white chairs haphazardly surrounded the tables. A part of him appreciated the grimy surroundings. He’d been used to luxury in his prior life, and it had cost him. These accommodations served as a welcome reminder of how the average Joe lived.
    Or the average Harrison, in his case.
    He watched as Jane gazed around in dismay. Lucky she didn’t see the cockroach crawling toward her. Harrison asked the hostel owner if she had any rooms available, but she shook her head.
    He turned to Jane. “She says she’s booked up.”
    Jane looked relieved. Perhaps she’d seen the roach after all.
    But they weren’t leaving. The hostel owner ambled away, expecting him to follow. Harrison faced Jane and held out his hands, palms up. “I booked a room online yesterday.”
    She shook her head. “I’ll sleep in a dormitory. They have those here, right?”
    “No beds available,” he explained.
    He couldn’t ignore the pathetic look on her face. “Follow me.” He tried to tell himself that sympathy had motivated his words, but it hadn’t. Where was his nobility now?
    The Senora led them to a tiny room to the west of the courtyard, pointing out the banos along the way. Jane paused at the open door of the bedroom. He put his rucksack on one of the two beds and watched her reaction.
    Yes, this was his room. And yes, there were two beds.
    Harrison stifled a smile. He would have bet she’d wanted to share a bed with him tonight, but maybe she was quick to back down when faced with reality.
    The hostel owner shuffled off.
    Jane swallowed, the movement obvious. Slowly, she stepped inside.
    “I’m going to need your last name,” she said, raising an eyebrow, “if we’re going to sleep together.”
    Maybe not so quick to back down.
    She pushed past him into the dim bedroom, suitcase in tow, walked to the other bed and sat. Her skirt rode up her legs.
    “DeNeuve,” he said, pulling clothes out of his bag, avoiding the sight of her smooth thighs. He needed control of the situation, quick.
    “Harrison DeNeuve,” she said.
    The sound of his name on her lips was like a shot of aphrodisiac straight