I extend my hand toward her father. “It’s nice to finally meet you two. Pen’s told me so much about you.”
Trey takes a half-step forward and gives my hand a firm shake. His expression never changes from its confused state as his eyes wander to the tattoos peeking out from under my sleeve.
“I wasn’t aware Penelope had a boyfriend,” he says.
“She doesn’t,” Mary Lou says.
“No, I do,” Penelope says. “For...” She looks at me. “Oh, gosh! I’d say it’s been two, three months?”
“Twelve weeks,” I answer, smiling. “Twelve weeks, three days, if we want to get pathetically specific.”
Penelope laughs and playfully slaps my arm. “Oh, stop. You’re counting?”
“I can’t help it. I’m a happy man.”
Mary Lou fakes some amusement. “Well, this is the first time we’ve heard of you,” she says, her eyes darting toward Dylan on her other side.
“I’m afraid that’s my fault, ma’am,” I say. “With my job, it’s often better to keep personal relationships quiet. At first.”
She glares at me past the tip of her nose. “And just what do you do, Mr...?”
“Botsford,” I answer, adding a smirk. “Hayden Botsford.”
Penelope’s jaw drops as her head jerks in my direction but she quickly snaps it shut again to hide her surprise.
“Botsford!” Her father stands taller as all confusion melts from his face and gets instantly replaced with keen interest. “As in the Botsfords?”
I nod, smug as fuck. “That’s right.”
He shoves his hand toward me again. “Well, in that case, I think I owe you another firm handshake!”
I laugh, taking his hand and letting him whip my arm as if he’s herding cattle. His wife, however, continues to stare at me with doubt while Dylan silently stews beside her with his hands in his tan pockets.
“What a surprise!” Trey says. “You know, we’ve been staying in these Plazas for years. Damn fine hotels. My wife and I even honeymooned at the Plaza in Rome just after it was built. First couple to christen the suite, as a matter of fact!”
Mary Lou flinches. “Trey, please...”
“It’s just a little humor, Mary Lou!” He laughs. “Anyway, the place was absolutely gorgeous! Wasn’t it, honey?”
Her face doesn’t budge an inch. “Yes.”
“Then, you’re related to Kingston Botsford?” he asks me.
“Yes, sir,” I answer. “He’s my father, as a matter of fact.”
“I once saw him give a speech at a business conference in Phoenix. Powerful man your old man. You should be very proud.”
“I’ll be sure to kiss his ring with a little extra tongue the next time I see him,” I quip.
Trey laughs loudly while Mary Lou continues feigning amusement.
“You could have warned us you were bringing a guest, Penelope,” she says through gritted teeth.
“Well, I...” Penelope stalls, her voice catching in her throat.
I chuckle as I lay a hand on her hip and softly jostle her a bit. “She didn’t tell me about your reunion today, either. Just sprung it on me at the last minute, as she does.”
Trey roars with laughter again. “That’s our Penelope, all right!”
Penelope looks to me, showing a smile so sweet it gives me cavities while she digs her thumbnail deep into the back of my hand.
“Anyway,” I say, clearing my throat, “I’m very sorry but I should be getting back to work.”
“You won’t stay?” Trey asks. “Have a drink?”
“I’m afraid I must be going. These hotels don’t run themselves.”
Mary Lou nods, happy to see me leave. Gee, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think she hated me or something.
“Yes, of course,” she says. “Don’t let us keep you, Mr. Botsford. I’m sure you’re a very busy man.”
“Yes, but...” I bring Penelope’s hand to my lips and give it a quick peck. “I always make some time for Penny here. She’s a lovely young woman. It truly is an honor to finally meet her family.”
Penelope lets out a loving sigh while Dylan continues his quiet sneer behind Mary Lou’s shoulder.
I keep smiling. “And do let the front desk know if there’s anything your party needs today. They have my private line. I’m just a phone call away.”
“That’s very kind of you, Hayden,” Trey says. “Thank you so much.”
“Believe me, it’s my pleasure, Mr. Warren.”
“Call me, Trey, young man,” he adds, making Mary Lou’s brow crinkle downward.
“Trey,” I repeat. “You got it, sir.”
I release my hold on Penelope and turn to face her. “I’ll catch up with you later, Pen.”
Her eyes lock on mine and she smiles. “All right.”
I lean closer and her back stiffens. My lips just barely graze her cheek and my nose twitches as I sense the gentlest perfume in my nostrils.
I kiss the edge of her closed mouth, purposefully missing the previously agreed upon location on her cheek but as her lips softly curl to touch mine, I get the feeling she doesn’t mind.
I pull back as a rush of warmth clenches my gut. “Bye,” I whisper.
“Bye,” she says, her voice just as low as mine.
I take my leave, quickly bolting for the entrance and doing my best to look very important in my jeans and t-shirt. I’m a very busy man, after all.
I wait until I pass over the velvet rope again before opening my palm and inspecting my payment. Twenty dollars, just as the young woman promised. She certainly got her money’s worth. For that performance, I easily could have charged an even fifty.
I stuff the bill into my back pocket and smile to myself as a keen realization takes hold of me.
That was the most fun I’ve had in weeks.
I think I just found my new hobby.
Penelope Warren.
* * *
Click here to keep reading JUST A KISS!
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Heartthrob Hotel
Just a Touch
Just a Kiss
Just a Fling
Just a Crush
Just a King
Just a Secret
Old Habits
The Mechanic
The Milkman
Rich Bitches
Pretty Little Thing
Pretty Dirty Trick
Pretty Ever After
Sweet Cravings
Muffin Top
A Muffin Top Christmas
Hot Sauce
A Hot Sauce Halloween
Bad Ballers
Bump and Run
In Too Deep
Home Run Baby
The Pink Series
In the Pink
Pink Christmas
Stand-alones
Lumberjack Boss
The Midwest Alphas
Co-write with Tabatha Drake
Untouched
Unbroken
Undying
For more, go to TabathaKiss.com
About the Author
Tabatha Kiss lives in Chicago, Illinois. You can probably catch her huddled up in a hoodie, reading a good romance beneath a tree in Jackson Park with her trusty husky by her side. She enjoys roller derby, sushi, and is always searching for her forever bad boy.
In the meantime, she writes.
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The Bad Baller Collection