Actually, he didn't want to think about it. He just wanted to act on it.

He let himself in Reception, took a quick glance around. Everything in place, as always. For a moment, he imagined himself as a guest, walking in for the first time. Yeah, he decided, he'd want to stay here, wouldn't have a problem with that.

Even as he walked to the kitchen, she turned out of her office to meet him.

Everything in place there, too, from the short summer dress and the s.e.xy stilts to the thick, shiny swing of her hair.

She pulled up short when his dog wagged his way over to her.

"Where I go, so goes the Dumba.s.s," Ryder told her.

"Oh. Well." She gave the dog an absent pat. "I tried calling your cell."

"I forgot to charge it." And the fact that it hadn't rung a thousand times to interrupt his work didn't hurt his feelings. "If you needed me to bring something, I can go get it, as long as I can get it fast."

"No, it's not that. I-"

But he grabbed her, pulled her in. If she was going to go around looking the way she looked, she had to expect the man she'd agreed to sleep with would want a sample.

Sample h.e.l.l, he decided in two seconds flat. They should head straight upstairs. If she wanted conversation, they could talk later.

A whole lot later.

"Let's go upstairs. Pick a room. Grab a key."

"Ryder, wait."

"I'll shower first." He remembered belatedly he had a day's worth of sweat and dirt all over him. "Better yet, you can shower with me."

"Oh boy." She let out a breath, holding up a hand as she eased back. "That sounds really good. Exceptionally good. But I have guests."

What language was she speaking? "You have what?"

"Guests. Up in W&B. Walks-ins. They came to the door a couple hours ago. I tried to call you, but-"

"You're not supposed to have anybody here."

"I know. We were clear, but they came to the door and wanted a room. I can't turn people away when we have room. You wouldn't want me to turn guests away, would you?"

He stared at her. Short summer dress, endless legs, twist-your-guts-into-knots brown eyes. "Is that a serious question?"

"Ryder, it's my job. Believe me, I wanted to say no, but I can't do that."

"You're awful d.a.m.n responsible."

"Yes, I am. That's one of the reasons your mother hired me. They eloped, or they're in the process. They're going to the courthouse to get married tomorrow, and they'd been driving for hours."

"What's wrong with a motel? I'll take them to a motel. I'll pay for the room."

"Ryder." Her laugh bubbled out, with frustration around the edges. "He wanted to give her something special since she's not getting a real wedding. He found us on his iPad when they were at a rest stop, but he didn't call ahead because he wanted to surprise her. They booked two nights so they can have what pa.s.ses for a honeymoon because they both have to go back to work-and face their families."

"Why did they tell you all this?"

"You'd be surprised what people tell the innkeeper. Added to it, they're young, excited, in love, and maybe he was afraid I'd say no without a reservation without some romantic backstory. Even if it wasn't my job, I wouldn't have had the heart. Her father doesn't like him."

"I don't like him either."

"Yes, you do. Or you would. I'm really sorry, but-"

"What is that?" he interrupted, moving back toward the door. "Was that somebody screaming?"

"They're at it again." When he glanced back at her, frowned, she lifted her shoulders. "They really wanted a room."

"That's ... wow." Head tilted, he listened another minute. "We double insulated-floors, ceilings, walls. Do you always get an audio show?"

"No. No! Thank G.o.d. It's an anomaly. I think it's the frequency."

"How many times can he bang her in a couple hours?"

"Not that kind of frequency," she began, then saw him grin. "Although, ha-ha, there's that, too. I meant like radio frequency. Plus they have the windows open."

"Yeah?" He moved to the door, stepped out. He listened to the cries, moans, squeals while Hope tugged on his hands.

"Stop!" She struggled with another laugh. "It's rude. It's intrusive. Come back inside."

"I'm not the one banging with the windows open. I deserve to get off vicariously."

"No, you don't. In fact ..." She managed to get him back inside, then hurried to the counter, turned on her iPod.

"What did you do that for?"

"Eavesdropping Tom."

"Like you didn't listen."

"Only until I realized what it was. And maybe for a short period thereafter. I'm really sorry, Ryder, but-"

"We can work around them."

"Excuse me?"

"They're busy." He jerked a thumb at the ceiling. "Really busy doing what they're doing, so they're not worried about what you're doing."

"I can't. It's not only awkward-and unprofessional-but I have to be available for them. They're going to come out eventually, want food."

"Burning a lot of calories."

"I imagine so. I need to be available when they do come out."