Just a Fling: A Heartthrob Hotel Novella

by Kiss, Tabatha

  I pause by the bedside table. A wallet sits by the phone, along with a pair of car keys and a pack of cigarettes. I flip open the wallet, quickly checking the driver’s license inside. Randall Wood. Long way from Iowa, buddy.

  I set it back down and open the drawer beneath it. There’s a handgun stashed inside. I bite my cheek in annoyance, though that steadily tips in the direction of full-on rage as I think about what he may have planned to do with it.

  The bathroom door slides open and a raven-haired man steps out with a thick aura of steam behind him and a towel wrapped around his skinny waist.

  “Hey, what the fuck?” he shouts, justifiably angry with the sight of four strangers going through his shit but fuck his feelings.

  I throw on a smile. “Good evening, Mr. Wood!” I greet, gesturing at the couch. “Take a seat. We won’t be long.”

  His face screws up as he jolts forward with one hand clenched on his towel. “Who the hell are you?” he asks. “What are you doing in my room?”

  “We’re the Botsford Plaza Welcome Committee, of course!” I grab the first t-shirt off the top of the duffel bag and fling it at his face. “Now, cover yourself up and sit down.”

  Randall recoils, angrily grabbing his shirt in midair as Graham and Jonah continue sifting through every nook of the room. “Bullshit. Who the fuck are you?” he asks.

  I step forward and he nervously blinks twice a few inches below my nose. “I’m Ira,” I answer. “I’m head of security here.”

  “Good for you,” he spits. “What do you want?”

  “Oh, I’m here on behalf of a friend of mine. Veronica Robb. I believe the two of you have met before.”

  I study his face, watching as the hard lines of his eyes lay flat as he realizes he’s fucked.

  Randall takes a step back. He sidles toward the door, obviously intending to bolt but he stops cold in front of Hayden’s amused smirk.

  “Nope,” Hayden says, crossing his arms.

  “Mr. Wood, please,” I say. I gesture at the couch. “Sit down.”

  He shifts uncomfortably as his beady eyes bounce, hitting each of us around the room. Searching for weakness, as most predators do. An easy way out. He won’t find one.

  Except the window, maybe. But sixteen stories is a long way down.

  “Okay, look…” He throws his shirt on over his head and pulls it down. “I don’t know what that bitch told you but—”

  “I’m gonna stop you right there, Mr. Wood,” I say over him. I reach into his bag and fish out a pair of jeans. “I didn’t come here to hear your side of the story. In fact, from here on out, you’d find it to be in your best interest if you just shut the fuck up and sit down.”

  I throw the jeans at him and he catches them with a huff. He silently unfolds them and pulls them on, briefly stumbling as he tries to yank them up with one eye constantly shifting around his socket.

  Once he’s stable again, he drops the damp towel to the floor and lowers to sit on the couch by the window.

  I smile again. “Was that so hard?”

  Randall doesn’t answer. Smart.

  Jonah clears his throat behind me. “Ira,” he says, getting my attention.

  I turn around and he extends his hand, passing a small, hardback journal over to me.

  “Under the pillow,” he says.

  Randall shifts forward but he doesn’t stand as Graham walks behind the couch and lingers over his shoulder.

  I open the book and sigh as I flip through the pages. Lines upon lines of barely-legible ramblings. Dates and timestamps going back to summer of last year. And photos. Lots of photos.

  Of Veronica.

  Veronica at work. Veronica at a coffee shop. Veronica on a bus.

  I flip even further. Veronica at the gym. Veronica out shopping.

  Veronica pregnant.

  My nostrils flare. “Well, a guy needs a hobby, right?” I quip as I slam the journal closed.

  Randall twitches. “I have a right to—”

  “Remain silent,” I bark.

  “See my baby.”

  “She’s not your baby, Mr. Wood,” I say. “She’s mine. While you were jerking off in her sock drawer, Veronica was here. With me. Nine months before she gave birth. Don’t believe me? How about we check your little stalker calendar here? I’m sure you took very detailed notes of her empty apartment that night.”

  I drop the journal on the coffee table in front of him and he startles at the sound.

  “Now, you’re gonna get up, take your shit, and get out,” I say. “You are officially banned from this hotel and all Botsford properties for the rest of your life.”

  Randall moves to stand but I raise a hand.

  “Yeah, I’m not done yet.”

  Graham grabs Randall’s shoulder from behind and forces him back down.

  “I’m going to be keeping tabs on you, Mr. Wood,” I continue. “If you ever attempt to contact Veronica after tonight, you will see me again. If I so much as hear a rumor that you even Googled her name, you will see me again.”

  I take a step forward and he recoils.

  “Furthermore,” I say, gritting my teeth, “if I find out that you’re doing to another woman what you’ve done to Veronica… they will never find you. Do you understand what I’m telling you, Mr. Wood?”

  He swallows hard.

  “I said, do you understand?”

  “Yes,” he says.

  Graham releases his shoulder as Jonah drops the duffel bag into Randall’s lap.

  “Now that you’re all packed, we will escort you out of the building,” I say. “You will immediately leave Las Vegas, then Nevada, and you will not come back. Ever. If you do, well… I’d say it again but I think I’ve more than made my intentions clear with you, Mr. Wood.”

  I bend down to grab the journal off the table before he can.

  “I’ll be keeping this,” I say. I walk to the bedside table and withdraw the handgun from the drawer. “This, too.”

  Randall furrows his brow but says nothing. Good.

  I pick up his keys and wallet and gesture for the door. “Let’s go,” I say.

  * * *

  I wait until Randall’s car disappears from the parking lot. With a few quick swipes, I send Stella a text message with his license plate to forward to her brother. I wasn’t kidding when I told him I’d be keeping tabs on him — until the day he dies if I have to.

  I’ll spare no expense when it comes to protecting what’s mine.

  A supportive hand pats my back and I turn to look at my brothers standing with me beneath the awning at the hotel entrance.

  “Thanks again,” I tell them.

  Graham shakes his head. “Save it,” he says. “You’d do the same for us.”

  Hayden and Jonah nod, fully in agreement.

  “I think you went too easy on him, honestly,” Hayden says. “Should have, at the very least, hung him off the balcony upside down.”

  I chuckle. “The thought had crossed my mind.”

  We head toward the entrance, bowing respectively to the doorman as he holds the door for us. My eyes adjust quickly over the threshold as the evening air turns to the bright gold of the lobby. Small crowds pass around us toward the bar or the restaurant or dressed to the nines for a Friday night out in Vegas.

  “Mom and Dad should be here by now,” Graham says as he checks his watch. “I should probably go back up Jen,” he adds with a laugh.

  “Yeah. Penny, too,” Hayden says.

  I nod. “You guys go on. I’ll fetch Veronica.”

  Jonah perks up. “And the kid?”

  The others pause, just as eager to know.

  “Might as well get it over with,” I say. I quickly point at them. “But keep your mouths shut until we get there.”

  They laugh and split off toward the restaurant.

  “Why would we tell them?” Graham asks, amused.

  “Yeah,” Hayden says with a smirk. “That’d make us some gossipy bitches, wouldn’t it?”


  I sigh to myself. “Lesson learned,” I mutter.

  I focus on the front desk across the lobby, spotting Marla standing at the computer behind the counter.

  “Hey, Jo,” I say, stopping him. “Hold on.”

  Jonah turns back. I reach into my pocket for the grand master key and hold it out to him.

  “Do you mind turning that in for me on your way back?” I ask.

  He shrugs and takes it, casually raising it to his forehead and offering me a quick salute. “Sure,” he says before twisting around and striding toward the desk.

  I continue toward the elevator, briefly pausing at the open doors to look back. Jonah leans into the counter on one elbow with his god-like rockstar eyes locked on Marla’s nervous face. He slides the grand master key over to her, his lips moving. They’re clearly forming some smooth words because she instantly brightens and her smile stretches from ear-to-ear.

  And that’s Jonah right there. He’d never pass on an opportunity to knock a woman off her feet.

  I step onto the elevator and make my way up to room 1209.

  Derrick opens the door within two seconds of me knocking and holds it wide for me. “How’d it go?” he asks.

  “He won’t be bothering her anymore,” I say.

  “Vague and ominous,” he jokes. “Right on.”

  I take a peek around the room. “Is she in the bathroom?”

  He nods. “Yeah.”

  “Good.” I reach behind my back and withdraw Randall’s pistol from my belt.

  Derrick instantly raises his hands in surprise. “Whoa…”

  I angle the grip toward him. “Stash this in your bedside table tonight,” I say. “I’ll come by and get it in the morning.”

  He takes it from me and points the tip down before popping open the cylinder to check if it’s loaded. “Okay,” he says as he snaps it closed again.

  I raise a brow, genuinely impressed that he knows his way around a handgun but he just shrugs.

  “I grew up on a farm,” he explains.

  I nod. “Fair enough.”

  Veronica appears from the bathroom with a newly-dressed Michelle in her arms. “Hey,” she says, relief washing over her face as she quickly lowers Michelle into the car seat and straps her in.

  “Hey,” I say.

  Derrick steps backward with his hand purposefully obscured behind his back. “I’ll be in my room,” he says. “You guys have fun at dinner.”

  Veronica smiles. “Goodnight,” she says.

  “Thanks, Derrick,” I say.

  He bows his head and takes his leave out into the hall.

  I close the door behind him, shielding the gun I know would have sent Veronica into an even worse wreck than she already seems.

  “What happened?” she asks.

  I bridge the short gap between us, silently pulling her close and kissing her on the lips. Veronica wraps her arms around my shoulders, leaning into me as she melts in my hands. I embrace her with tightly-closed eyes. In just a few seconds, I dismiss every single thought of what Randall could have done to her or our baby before I ever could have stopped him. I breathe her in and exhale him out. She’s safe now. And she’ll stay that way.

  Veronica turns her head to break the kiss but stays close. “I’m guessing that’s good?” she jokes.

  I rest my forehead against hers. “Yes,” I answer. “He’s gone.”

  “Really gone?”

  “Really gone.”

  “Like gone gone?”

  I cup her face. “If he values the air in his lungs, yes.”

  Veronica’s eyes tilt up to mine, showing a hint of acceptance behind her lashes. Her hand lightly presses into my chest, hovering over the scribbled words inked into my skin as she nods slowly. She looks down, spotting Randall’s journal stashed in the front of my belt.

  “What’s that?” she asks.

  I slide it free and offer it to her. “Thought you’d want to decide what to do with it,” I say.

  She takes it and opens it. “Oh, god,” she murmurs, her face instantly falling as she finds the photos.

  “Should be enough to justify a restraining order, if you want to go that route,” I say.

  “Ya think?” she quips in disgust.

  “Might also feel pretty satisfying to burn it but I leave that decision to you.”

  Veronica nods and closes it. “Thank you, Ira.”

  I step forward to embrace her again and she rests her head on my chest.

  “Thank you,” she whispers once more.

  I kiss her head, taking a deep breath of her. “You never have to thank me for taking care of you and our daughter, V,” I say.

  She chuckles. “No, but I’m gonna.”

  I smile, kissing her again. “If you want to cancel on dinner tonight, I wouldn’t blame you,” I say.

  “No,” she says, raising her head. “I’m really looking forward to it now, actually.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. I, um…” Her eyes shimmer. “Before tonight, I was scared that my daughter would grow up the same way I did with… nobody. It feels really good knowing that’s not true.”

  “Michelle will always have me,” I say. “And her uncles. I promise.”

  She exhales, her smile growing.

  “You’re included in that, by the way.” I draw a tender line from her chin to her earlobe. “This thing with you and me, whatever it is, wherever it goes. Doesn’t matter. If you ever need anything, my family is your family. Okay?”

  Veronica nods. “Okay.”

  I press my lips together. “Though, just… for the record or whatnot, what exactly is this thing we’ve got going on?”

  She laughs as unfallen tears dry up. “I have no idea.”

  “I always called it a fling before but now that feels a little inaccurate.”

  “I agree,” she says.

  “We’re definitely not just friends, either.”

  Her eyes narrow in thought. “Clearly past the with benefits stage, too.”

  “Boyfriend?” I suggest, wincing slightly.

  “I suppose that fits,” she says. “That would make me your girlfriend?” Her nose screws up like mine.

  “How about we sleep on it?” I ask.

  “Yes, please.”

  “For now, let’s worry about tonight.”

  I grab the handle on the car seat as Veronica tilts her head.

  “Worry?” she repeats. “Worry about what?”

  “Kingston and Fiona Botsford are about to meet their first grandchild,” I say, chuckling. “We’re entering uncharted territory here.”

  She blinks twice. “Okay. I wasn’t nervous before but I am now…”

  I hook my free arm around Veronica’s waist and tug her closer, planting a smooth kiss on her mouth. “It’ll be all right,” I say.

  “Are you sure?” she asks.

  I release her and step toward the door. “No,” I answer truthfully.

  She sighs behind me. “Great.”

  I chuckle and hold the door open for her, waiting as she grabs her purse off the bed and checks her perfect self out in the mirror one last time.

  The Friday night crowd has already descended on the hotel restaurant by the time we arrive. The hostess greets us with a permanent smile, her eyes blissfully locked on the car seat hooked beneath my arm. If the cat wasn’t out of the bag among the staff yet, it surely will be after tonight.

  And yet, I don’t care.

  I’m a father. And I’m proud of it.

  Seventeen

  Ira

  A large, elegant partition separates my family’s table from the rest of the golden restaurant. Thankfully, this means my parents can’t see the bombshell I’m about to drop on my mother’s birthday dinner if my brothers haven’t let it slip out already.

  I pause as we reach the partition and turn to look at Veronica. “Ready?” I ask.

  She nods, holding her breath. “Yes.”

  I lean in to kiss her once, slowly sliding the
car seat into her capable hands. “Wait here for a second,” I whisper.

  She agrees silently, looking more than happy to delay the inevitable just a few minutes longer.

  I walk into our little private corner and all heads turn toward me. Everyone’s already here; my father, my mother, and my three brothers, along with Graham’s wife, Jen, and Hayden’s girlfriend, Penelope.

  “Ira!” My mother smiles and stands up, no doubt taking the opportunity to show off her gorgeous cocktail dress. “Hello, my third born.”

  I walk around the table. “Hey, Mom. Happy birthday.”

  She throws her arms around me and I plant a quick kiss on her cheek. “Your brothers were just telling me that you have a special surprise for me tonight.”

  I glare into their excited faces. “Did they?”

  Hayden grins wide while Penelope swoons beside him. “Where’s the surprise?” he asks.

  “Yeah, Ira,” Jonah says. “Where?”

  Graham giddily taps the white tablecloth. “Bring it out. Bring it out.”

  I freeze in place. When I told Veronica earlier that Michelle would always have her uncles, I wasn’t lying. I know for a fact that they’ll take care of her if and when I can’t but it never quite felt as real as it does right now. I’ve never seen my brothers so excited about something before.

  But this isn’t just something. It’s the next generation of the Botsford family.

  And it all starts with my baby girl.

  No pressure or anything, kid.

  Jen scans the table in confusion. “Okay, what’d I miss?” she asks.

  Penelope’s jaw drops. “Graham didn’t tell you?”

  “No. Tell me what?”

  I glare at Hayden. “You told Penny?”

  “Hey…” Hayden holds up his hands. “You don’t keep secrets from your girlfriend, bro. Even I know that.” He looks at Jonah. “Judges?”

  Jonah nods. “It’s true.”

  Graham timidly takes Jen’s hand and he kisses her palm in a beg for forgiveness.

  My mother sighs and sits back down next to my father. “Well, thank god I’m not the only one who has no idea what the hell’s going on. I don’t like being the last to know things.”

  She and Jen share a bonding look. I guess their girl time is actually going well.