Deep Focus by Erin McCarthy Read Free Book Online Page A

don’t know what to do.” She turned back to the clerk. “I’m sorry. We’ll just take the one room.” Then her head swiveled again back to him. “Unless you want to pay for another room and bill Ian?”
    “Uh, no. I can’t afford another room either, and there’s no guarantee Ian will pony up.” He could barely afford his rent. “I think you’re stuck with me. But no worries, I don’t snore.”
    She gave him a wan smile, then turned back to the desk clerk. “Okay, I guess we’ll make the best of it. I’m sorry for holding things up.”
    He smiled at her and assured her it was not a problem. Hunter scanned the lobby, getting the feel for the resort, and listened to the clerk tell Melanie about the buffets, the pool and how to book her excursions if she hadn’t already. He was still just floored that Melanie had footed the bill. It made him more determined than ever to make sure she enjoyed her vacation. The lobby was open-air, and he had to admit, while he’d missed snow when he’d been deployed, he appreciated the warm air wafting over them from the ocean breeze. It smelled like salt water and relaxation.
    When Melanie held up the key to show him, her lips pursed, he grabbed hold of both their suitcases and prepared to follow her. “I can sleep on the floor. I’m used to it.”
    But she paused in lifting her sunglasses to her face and said, “Melly Ambrosia wouldn’t worry about sharing a king-size bed with her bodyguard. She wouldn’t think twice about it. So I’m okay with it if you are. No reason you should have to suffer because Ian is a jerkface. I promise I won’t kick you, and I don’t travel in my sleep.”
    Fair enough. “If you’re sure you don’t mind. I can’t say I’ll turn down a mattress over the floor.”
    He felt even more strongly about it when they reached the room and saw the wall-to-wall ceramic tile. That would hurt to sleep on, no doubt about it. She realized it, too.
    “Uh, yeah, we can share the bed.” She tossed her purse onto the surface in question. “Jeez, frickin’ Louise, this is ridiculous! I want to strangle that man. Here we are in Cancún, two total strangers sharing a room, and why? Just why exactly?” She hauled her suitcase over to the luggage rack and viciously unzipped it. “I don’t know. That’s the answer to that question. I. Don’t. Know.”
    She was fully entitled to have a meltdown, and frankly, she was showing a lot more restraint than he would have under the circumstances. “Maybe you should call Ian.”
    “I don’t have an international data plan, and I’m not wasting another dime on that man.”
    He couldn’t blame her for that. “Then screw Ian Bainbridge. You can pepper him with questions when you get back. But right now, let’s bust open the complimentary minibar and check out the veranda. Dolphin view, remember?” He had no idea what that meant, exactly, but clearly it was something she’d chosen when she’d booked the room.
    Melanie took a deep breath and released it. “You’re right. You’re totally right.” She yanked off the sweater she was wearing, revealing a tank top underneath. “I’m burning up.”
    So was he. He kicked off his dress shoes and unzipped his bag to find his sandals. “Feels good, doesn’t it? We’re supposed to get a blizzard in Chicago in two days, so you can take a bunch of beach selfies and post them online to make your friends jealous.”
    Sitting on the edge of the bed, he took his socks off and wiggled his toes. He was unbuttoning his shirt when Melanie turned to respond to him. Her mouth fell open, then she quickly clapped it shut. “What?” he asked.
    “Nothing.”
    “Should I go into the bathroom to change my shirt?” He didn’t see the point, but it was her hotel room. She’d paid for it. He was still the employee, technically.
    “No. Of course not. I mean, you’re going to be at the beach with me. I can handle seeing your chest.”
    She sounded flustered. She looked