It Had to Be Fate (An It Had to Be Novel Book 3) Read Free Page A

picnic lunch out in Sunset Cove and Mike was getting parts for a Jet Ski down south. Jeannie was busy cleaning rooms. She could ask Dax, but hauling luggage wasn’t in his job description. She’d just have to do it herself. “On second thought, why don’t I just show you to your room, Mr. Steele?” She reached for his duffel but he scooped it up before she could grab it.
    “I’ve got it, thanks.” The rocker grinned at her. “And it’s Zane.”
    She didn’t want to be on a first-name basis with the guy. But, on the other hand, she didn’t want to be rude. Maybe she’d just avoid using his name at all. “Right this way, please.”
    She set out toward the elevators and he fell in step beside her. He juggled his duffel under an arm, freeing a hand so he could move ahead of her and press the button. The doors instantly spread wide. She waited for him to enter first, but he stood with his back against the side to hold the doors open. “After you, Casey.”
    So the man had some manners. Maybe he was just a jerk when he was drunk, like in the news clip she’d seen. “Thank you.”
    She stepped inside and then handed him his keycard. “You’re staying in the presidential suite on the top floor. No one else has access to that level from the elevator without a special key. Just slide yours into the slot right there below the ‘P’ and it will take you directly into your suite.”
    He did as she instructed and the elevator took off. “Pretty slick for a hotel in a town this small. And I’d swear I’ve been in your lobby before. It felt so . . . familiar.”
    Casey tried but couldn’t quite hold back her grin. That had been her idea. To emulate the lobby of one of the most exclusive boutique hotels in Europe. “Then you’ve stayed at Chateau Blanc in Switzerland?”
    He frowned. “Maybe. Who knows? The hotels all become one big blur when I’m on tour. Just a place to lay my head before the next show.”
    When the doors opened into their finest suite, she exited first. “And I imagine all the pretty woman involved are just blurs too, huh?” She probably shouldn’t have said that about the women, but the man was so disconcerting. He seemed perfectly nice, but she’d seen the reports on TV with her own two eyes that he wasn’t. According to the press, he was a shameless womanizer.
    His only response was a single raised brow before laying his duffel down and dropping the guitar case on the couch. Then he rummaged in his backpack for something.
    “Mr. Steele, none of the staff, especially me, will expect tips. It’s all included in your room fees. Let me show you the rest of the suite.”
    He finally found what he was looking for and held it out to her. “You said earlier your children knew not to bother the celebrities. How many do you have?”
    She looked down at the autographed CD in her hand. “You saw Ty earlier. And my other son’s name is Caleb.”
    He reached into his backpack and pulled out a different signed CD. “Then here’s one for Caleb too.”
    Now she just felt like a jerk. “Thank you. They’re very big fans of yours.”
    “And you’re not. But I love a challenge.” He grinned.
    The sexy gleam in his eyes left no doubt he wanted to be more than just her friend.
    He was an incredibly handsome guy—tall, lean, fit, with piercing green eyes and thick, golden blond hair. Normally just her type. But the worst possible example on earth for her boys. She needed to make it clear that nothing was going to happen between them.
    “Well, I hate to disappoint a guest, but you’re in for a big fail there. I’m not falling for your cute smile and the charming Zane Steele act. You’d have better chances with any other woman in Anderson Butte.” She threw in a “Take that!” chin lift for good measure.
    He didn’t seem fazed at all by her biting words. Instead he leaned closer and whispered, “You finally called me Zane. I must be growing on you. But if you’re in a relationship just