All Jacked Up (Rough Riders #8)(63)

Jack sent her another look, a softer one. “Keely—”


“Don’t worry, I won’t be morbidly sappy and embarrass you.” She pulled her hand from his, needing to distance herself. “Thanks for not making me listen to that jazz crap for the last two hours.”


“Same might be said for you saving my ears from the noise pollution that passes for country music.”


You didn’t seem to mind it the other night when you gave me an orgasm on the dance floor during


“You Look So Good In Love”.


Yeah, she wasn’t bringing up that reminder.


Jack pointed. “Here we are.”


They crested a rise. The town spread looked like any ordinary small town. But as soon as they hit the city limits, Keely could see the difference. It was…clean. The houses were well maintained. No rusted swing sets or broken down bicycles. Once they passed into the commercial area, there was more diversity.


No regular billboards, say nothing of flashing billboards.


“Whoa. It’s like…the flashback to the town’s past in the movie Back to the Future.”


“Exactly!” Jack grinned at her. “You’ll freak when you see the clock in the town square. It’s right outside our hotel.”


Keely gawked at everything. Jack pointed out the architectural details he liked and loathed. He waxed poetic about the potential, meshing visions with reality, style with modern amenities. Happy as she was to hear his excitement about his work, he lost her a couple times. She half-feared Jack would blame her if he wasn’t awarded this job. But he wouldn’t have a shot at the project at all if it wasn’t for their fake engagement. Yet, she had an uneasy feeling.


“Keely?”


Her attention returned to him. “What? Sorry.”


“Was I boring you?”


A dutiful fiancée would lie and make him feel good. “Maybe some.” Shit. She waited for him to toss an insult back at her.


But Jack released a resigned sigh. “I’m told I ramble on sometimes. If it appears my client’s eyes are glazing over when I’m talking, could you give me a sign?”


“Sure. Got a sign in mind?”


“Tap on your chin with your index finger?”


She thrust out her chest in a sex kitten move. “Or I could just flash them my tits, baby.”


Smiling, Jack said, “I’m the only one who gets to read that sign, buttercup.” He kissed her. The quick peck morphed into something…more.


A rap sounded on the window.


They broke apart guiltily.


A middle-aged bellman in a spiffy red tasseled hat smiled through Keely’s window. “May I help you out, miss?”


“Uh. Sure. Thank you.”


Jack popped the locks and the trunk. The bellman lifted the bags out and wheeled them to the front desk. Another red-hat-wearing bellman held the door and Jack slipped him the car keys.


Keely noticed the matronly woman at the check-in desk also wore a red uniform, complete with tasseled hat. Had she somehow stumbled into a Shriners secret hideout?


“Mr. Donohue, so happy to have you back at the Milford Inn.” The woman behind the desk beamed.


“And this lovely young woman must be your fiancée? Kelly McKay?”


“Keely,” she corrected gently. “Two e’s, one l. Common mistake.”


“Oh. I’m so sorry. Such a pretty name. I’ll just get that changed.” Her fingers flew across the keys.


“There. Done. I have you on the second floor.” She slid the key card envelope across the desk. “Horace will help you with your bag.”


Keely felt like an idiot looking to Jack for direction. Normally she’d take the bag herself. In this situation was she supposed to let her fiancé haul the luggage? Or let the man decide to hand the responsibility to the bellhop?


Jack smiled at Horace. “You can take my bag up to my room too.” He handed the man a folded bill.


“Mr. Donohue is on the third floor.” She passed a piece of paper with the room numbers to Horace and he rolled the suitcases to the elevator.


“Here’s your key, Mr. Donohue. Please let us know if we can assist you in any way during your stay.


Don’t forget if you need room service, it’s available twenty-four hours a day.”


“Much appreciated, Mrs. Trudeau.” Jack slipped his hand into hers and they strolled out the front door.


After half a block, Keely dug her heels in and faced Jack. “Separate rooms? On separate floors?


Really?”


“Very old fashioned, I know, but you can’t say I didn’t warn you.” He squeezed her hand. “It’s one line we can’t cross, Keely, sneaking into each other’s rooms.”


“Then I’m glad I brought my vibrator.”


Jack choked out, “You did?”


“No, you’re so easy. But we can have phone sex, right?”


“It’s only two nights.” He rubbed his thumb over her wrist in a lazy, sexy manner and she knew his eyes smoldered behind his sunglasses. “Have you gotten so used to having me in your bed you’ll miss me if I’m not there?”