Stormy Weather
Page 2
Her nose was straight, short, and charming while the corners of her mouth turned upwards. The soft red color on her luscious lips drew his attention, making him want a taste.
His gaze slowly traveled over the rest of her body and he liked what he saw, especially how her toned legs looked in the dark gray skirt. He had always been a leg man and this mystery woman owned a great pair. They were only enhanced by the tall heels on her small feet. He let his eyes go back up her body to notice how her tucked-in white shirt showed off her perky breasts, curved hips, and narrow waist.
He wanted to say something to her, but he couldn’t get the words to come out of his mouth. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had made him this tongue-tied. All he could do was stand there and gawk at her like a teenage boy with his first crush.
“Sir, can I help you?” she inquired again, closing the small gap between their bodies. “Are you looking for directions?”
“No, I’m not looking for directions,” Cash replied when he finally regained his voice. “I want a room for a few nights. I hope that you have one that’s available.”
She smiled at him and it brightened up her pretty face. “You’re in luck. We do have a couple of vacant rooms.”
The hotel clerk walked around him, behind the front desk. Cash couldn’t stop staring at how the fabric of her skirt hugged her ass.
How could it possible for the back of her to look as good as the front?
Usually, he wasn’t this nervous with the opposite sex, but she was doing something to him without even realizing it. So, what was so special about her? She was just an employee at a hotel, yet he felt this underlying connection to her.
“Are you here for business or personal reasons?” she asked, drawing his awareness away from her captivating mouth back to her stunning eyes.
Instead of answering her question, he watched as she pulled out a sign-in book from underneath the desk and placed it on the top. Hell, he didn’t even know her name. Nevertheless, all he could think about was asking her out on a date and getting to know more about her—if was she married, single, or dating someone.
“Excuse me, sir. Are you listening to me?” she asked him. “Is there something wrong? Do you need some kind of help?”
Cash drew his attention back to the woman. He noticed she was watching him with a perplexed expression etched across her face while holding a pen in her left hand. Why was he standing here acting like an idiot? He was tired of wondering who she was, so he was just going to ask her.
Chapter Two
“No, I don’t need any help. I’m fine,” Cash answered, kicking himself for staring at her for so long without answering any of her questions. “Who are you?” He was dying to know who she was. Hopefully, she wasn’t married or seeing someone and would accept his invitation to have drinks. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer, so he hoped she told him what he wanted to hear.
Her face broke into a friendly grin. “I apologize. I should have introduced myself. My name is Rachelle Williams. I’m the owner of Luxury. ”
Rachelle....is her name? It suited her beauty perfectly.
“Yes, I did wonder about what you did here,” he lied. Truthfully, he was too busy daydreaming about kissing her to even think about her questions.
“I wanted to know your information so I could give you the rates for the rooms. We keep all of our business clientele on a separate floor from the other patrons. It works better that way for everyone,” Rachelle told him. “We have fewer problems with our guests who stay here.”
“No, Ms. Williams, I’m not here on business. I think a personal room would work better for me,” Cash answered.
“Please, call me Rachelle.”
“Rachelle.”
Yeah, he loved how her name just seemed to slide off his tongue like hot, melted butter. He would say it every single chance he got while he was on vacation. In addition, he would make sure he got to spend some more time with her.
“Wonderful,” she said, giving him another charming smile. “Let me go over the prices and then you can tell me what package interests you the most.”
“Sounds good to me.” He moved closer to the desk.
“A regular room costs $95.00 a night. Suite rates are $145.00 a night and then the deluxe package is $250.00 a night.”
“What is included with the higher priced rooms?”
“The suites are larger and have jetted tubs and balconies, better views. A deluxe package night includes laundry, transportation, and spa services and vouchers for alcoholic drinks.”
“I don’t think you pointed out when I’ll be able to get meals around here,” he said. Sometimes he enjoyed eating earlier and other days he liked having a late dinner. It all depended on how his day had gone and what kind of mood he was in.
“Sorry, I always forget to tell people that,” she apologized softly. “Usually, I send out brochures and everything is detailed in them. Luxury doesn’t get that many walk-in customers. I think you are only the third one since we opened. Let me go over them with you.
“Breakfast starts at five o’clock in the morning and ends at eleven. Lunch begins at one o’clock and ends at three. Dinner is served at five o’clock and concludes at nine. Sometimes we keep the kitchen open a little later with the dinner service if the place is full because we know some people might be running late.
“So, have I sold you on staying here? Would you like a room at Luxury …Mister…?”
“Sorry, I forgot to tell you my name,” he apologized.
He had gotten so caught up in staring at her, everything else had completely slipped his mind. Hell, with his job he was used to dealing with stunning women, yet there was something unique about Rachelle that genuinely captivated him.
“My name is Cash Garon and yes, I believe I do want a room. Do you have any left for the deluxe package?”
She gave him a small nod. “Yes, Mr. Garon, we do have one room left so there isn’t a problem.”
“Cash,” he corrected.
He didn’t want Rachelle calling him Mr. Garon. It sounded too cold and impersonal. He wasn’t interested in a detached or distant relationship with the striking woman in front of him. Despite sounding absolutely crazy in his head, he was already planning their first date.
Why should he let moss grow under his feet?
“Okay, Cash,” she said, pushing the sign-in book in his direction.
Flipping it open, she handed him a pen and then pointed to an empty line inside the book. “Why don’t you sign right here while I get everything else taken care of for you?”
Taking the pen from her hand, he felt a slight electric jolt when his fingers brushed over her softer ones. He held her big brown eyes with his, noticing her stunned expression as he flickered over Rachelle’s attractive face. Right then and there he knew she had felt the same amazing shock as him.
Wonderful….the tug he felt wasn’t one-sided.
“Thank you,” he said, then quickly signed his name and gave the book back to her. “Oh, here’s your pen.” He held it out for her to take; however, when Rachelle took it back from him their hands didn’t touch this time.
“You’re welcome. How would you like to pay? We take credit cards, debit cards, or cash. We don’t take checks.”
“We,” Cash frowned. “What do you keeping say we? I thought you mentioned earlier that you were the owner?” He hadn’t seen anyone else here but him and Rachelle, so why was she saying we?
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to confuse you. I own this place with my younger sisters. Tonight is my night to work.”
“I understand.” Great, she was referring to her sisters, not a boyfriend or worse, a husband somewhere in the background.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, Cash went to grab his wallet but it wasn’t there.
“What in the hell?” he uttered underneath his breath. He was positive he had placed it in there right before he got on the bus; however, he could be wrong and it was inside his pants.
What was he going to do now?
If he didn’t have any money to pay for a room, where was he going to spend the night?
Chapter Three
Staring at the man in front of her, Rachelle shook away the warning bells in her head. Month after month, she dealt with attractive men checking into Luxury, but Cash Garon’s handsomeness put all of them to shame.
She noticed him as soon as he walked through the front door. An appearance of self-command surrounded the air around him. She tried to stay professional while informing him about Luxury. But, it was hard for her not to get lost in his striking gray eyes and the firm set of his jaw.
Furthermore, she loved tall men and Cash stood over six feet with a beautifully proportioned body. He could make any woman stop what she was doing and take another look at him, especially with how his shoulders strained against the fabric of his shirt.
Slowly, she dropped her eyes down to his hands. His long, strong fingers looked capable of handling. Rachelle couldn’t help but fantasize about how his fingertips would feel as the stroked over her skin.
A lock of his thick black hair fell across his forehead, giving him a slightly unruffled appearance. She was highly tempted to reach out and brush it back with the tips of her fingers, but she fought down the temptation to touch a total stranger. What the devil was wrong with her? She knew nothing about Cash Garon, so placing her hands on his body was absolutely out of the question.
God, she was becoming like her baby sisters. This wasn’t a good thing in her eyes… not at all. She considered them very impulsive.
“Shit, I can’t believe this,” Cash cursed as he continued searching though his pockets.
“Is there a problem?” Rachelle asked.
”You won’t believe this, but I can’t find my wallet. It could have fallen out of my pocket or gotten stolen,” Cash confessed, looking at her.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Rachelle asked, concerned. “Do you think your wallet might have fallen out in your car? I can wait while you go and check.”
“I didn’t drive here.”
“How did you get here then?”
“I took the Greyhound because I wasn’t in the mood to drive. I thought a bus ride would be relaxing. I know when I got on my wallet was in the front pocket of my jacket. I never moved from my seat once I sat down until the driver stopped and let me off to come here.”
What was he trying to pull on her? She was trying to run a successful business and wasn’t in the mood for a drifter. Had she made a mistake by thinking Cash looked like an upstanding guy who would be able to pay for whatever room he wanted?
If her sisters Sasha, Akisha, and Genise were here instead of her, they would have thrown Cash out on his ass without listening to another word coming out of his mouth.
“How do I know you aren’t trying to pull something over on me?” Rachelle asked. “I don’t mean to come off as mean, but you aren’t the first person to try to pull this scam on me. A woman came in here with a similar story and I let her stay here. She ended up destroying the room and sneaking out during the night. We never found her and ended up paying for the damages. People tell sad story all the times and some of them end up being complete lies. How can I be sure you aren’t trying to feed me one right now?”
A momentary look of embarrassment crossed Cash’s face. “Rachelle…Ms. Williams, I swear I’m not lying to get a free room. My wallet did get stolen or is lost. Everything I needed for this trip was in that wallet. However, without any forms of ID or credit cards, I can’t prove anything to you. ”
Stepping back from the desk, Rachelle’s gaze darted down at the phone underneath it debating if she should call someone for help, maybe the cops or her sisters. What if he was telling her the truth? She didn’t want to let one bad experience tarnish her view of people, but the stories were just so similar. It was hard for her to determine if Cash was being honest with her. She had truly believed the woman and look where it got her.
“Mr. Garon, I won’t be able to help you. You can walk back to the station and wait for a city bus. One should be by in about forty-five minutes to an hour and it will take you to the police station in town so you can file a report. I wish you luck.”
A defeated look passed over Cash’s face. “I seriously doubt the police will find my wallet. I’m beginning to think the guy who sat down next to me on the bus stole it while I was asleep. It’s my fault for falling asleep on a bus ride. I should have known better.”
“Well, I’m sorry about your luck, but you ought to go talk to the police,” Rachelle replied, watching Cash closely.
He must have caught her look because he sighed softly. “Look, Ms. Williams. I swear you don’t have to worry about me. I promise I’m not going to do anything to hurt you. Can’t you just let me stay here for tonight? I promise I’ll leave first thing in the morning. Better yet, I can clear everything up with one phone call, but I can’t call him until the morning because he’s out of town. My brother’s flight doesn’t land until midnight. He’s the only person I can call.”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t let you stay here. I don’t know you. I can’t be sure if you’re telling me the truth.” No matter how attracted she was to Cash, there was no way she could give in on this. She couldn’t fall for another con twice in one year because her sisters wouldn’t let her hear the end of it.
“You already know my name is Cash Garon. I’m the host of a television show. If you stay let me stay for the night I can prove who I am to you first thing tomorrow,” he pleaded.
“My producer will be back in the office at five o’clock in the morning. He will corroborate my story. Also, he can wire me some money through Western Union for the room. Can’t I please stay here for the night? I have no other place to go if you kick me out. I’ll be out on the highway since the next town is several miles from here.”
Standing her ground, Rachelle folded her arms underneath her breasts. “I’m sorry, Mr. Garon. My sisters and I are running a business here. We can’t afford to let anyone else have a free ride, not even for one night.”
She watched as Cash’s expression changed from one of hope to despair. She didn’t want to feel guilty for tossing him out, but she couldn’t let him stay. “I understand,” Cash replied as he picked up his bag. “It was very nice to meet you. I wish you all of the best with your business. It looks like a breathtaking hotel.” He gave her a slight nod before spinning around on his heel and heading for the front door.
Watching Cash walk away defeated, Rachelle felt her guilt meter rise to another level. She couldn’t help but remember when kind people gave her mother a helping hand when they had needed it. Tamaron Williams had always been so grateful for even the tiniest bit of assistance she received from the community while her daddy was stationed overseas. Now, years later, she would be so disappointed if her oldest child forced a man in need out into the streets.
What if he was telling the truth about someone stealing his wallet on the bus? What would it hurt if she allowed him to stay until morning?
She could be sending an innocent man out into the unknown. She never heard of anyone walking all the way back to town from here, especially at night. Besides, it wasn’t like her sisters would ever find out about this unless she told them. Hell, she sure as hell wasn’t about to confess anything to the three of them.
Pulling herself away from her thoughts, Rachelle glanced toward the front door just as it closed behind Cash’s wide, retreating back. She hurried around the side of the desk and raced after him. She hoped she wasn’t making a bad decision that could come back and haunt her later.
Chapter Four
Battling with the anger still racing through his body, Cash continued walking toward the bus station. How could he hav
e done something so stupid like fall asleep on the bus with a bunch of strangers?
Maybe he could hitchhike and get a ride back into town if a city bus didn’t show, if he was lucky enough to get someone to stop. Hopefully, he could get a ride to the police station soon. “Cash, wait! I think I might be able to help you.”
Tormented by thoughts of where he was going to sleep tonight, Cash almost missed hearing his name being yelled.
Spinning around, he was shocked to see Rachelle coming towards him. A tiny glimmer of hope made his heart catch in his chest. Did she change her mind?
Was she going to let him stay after all? No, he wasn’t going to get too excited because she might want something entirely different from him.
“Yes,” he answered. “Did I forget something, and that’s the reason why you came rushing after me?”
“No,” she said. “You didn’t forget anything. I decided to let you stay here for the night. I couldn’t let you back on the highway. You don’t have a way to take care of yourself and the thought of anyone hitchhiking doesn’t sit well with me. Are you sure you will be able to pay me?”
“I swear, you will have your money tomorrow.”
A bottomless sense of peace took over Cash’s body as he realized how lucky he had gotten tonight with Rachelle. He had never been more appreciative of another person’s kindness than he was right now. He couldn’t think of one place in California that would allow him stay the night without paying.
“I really want to thank you again for doing this for me,” he said, staring at her. “I didn’t have a clue where I was going to end up tonight. I’m not familiar with anything or anyone in this town. The only reason I ended up here was because I wanted to get away from it all. I closed my eyes and literally touched a place on the map, then bought a ticket.”
Rachelle eyed him closely like she was still trying to figure him out. “Sounds like a strange thing to do to me, but I guess you’re a risk taker. I’m hoping I don’t regret my decision to help you out.”