Love All Out - Part 2 (A Stepbrother Romance) by Alice Ward Read Free Book Online

but you just mumbled something at me and covered your face with your hands.”
    As if on cue, my stomach grumbled.
    James tossed me a granola bar from the tote bag. “Your dad gave me a ranch credit card to pay for the room. He also said to charge our dinner to it. Why don’t you eat that while I check in, and then we can get cleaned up and go out for a civilized meal?”
    “Sounds good to me,” I agreed. I unwrapped the granola bar while he slid out of the truck.
    Thank God I packed something decent to wear to dinner. I’ll just change and throw on a little bit of makeup. I don’t want James to think I’m trying too hard…
    I finished the granola bar and stuffed my feet back into my tennis shoes. James returned to the truck just as I was tying up the laces.
    “We’re all checked in,” he said, handing me a keycard. “The lady at the desk asked me to park around back. She said there are designated trailer spots back there.”
    I nodded as he threw the truck into drive and pulled around the building. “There’s a great little German restaurant down the block,” I told him. “I wanted to eat there last time we were in town, but Daddy wanted steak. Its close enough, we could leave the truck here and walk to dinner.”
    “That’s fine with me,” James agreed. He parked the truck and grabbed all three of our bags before climbing out. “There was a mix up with our reservation,” he told me as we walked through the parking lot. “It worked in our favor though. Instead of a double room, we’re in a suite.” He held open the back door and I stepped into the hotel. There was a bank of elevators to our left, and I pushed the button to summon one.
    Hmm… I called and confirmed the reservation yesterday.
    “That is a lucky break,” I said. A bell chimed and the elevator doors in front of us opened. “What floor are we on?” I asked as we stepped inside.
    “We’re at the very top,” James told me. He pushed the button for the fifth floor and the doors closed. My stomach growled again and James stifled a laugh.
    “I need a quick shower, but I can be ready to leave in five minutes flat,” he said as the elevator doors opened. I followed James to the door marked 514.
    “I don’t need to shower, but I’ll need about ten minutes to get ready,” I told him.
    “Perfect. I’ll shower and then call home while you change,” he offered. He pushed open the door of our room and we stepped inside. The suite was one enormous room, with the living and bedroom areas separated by a three foot half wall. My eyes immediately darted through the living area and into the bedroom, where a large Jacuzzi sat next to a king size bed.
    A Jacuzzi next to the bed… this is one romantic mix up.
    If James had any thoughts about the room’s sexy feature, he kept them to himself. He tossed the tote bag and my duffle onto the couch and immediately retreated to the bathroom. I pulled jeans and a black blouse out of my duffle bag and pulled an iron and ironing board out of the small hotel closet.
    Before the iron had a chance to heat up, James had returned from the bathroom in jeans and a plaid button-up. His face was still scruffy and his wet hair hung over his eyes. He smelled like an intoxicating blend of pine, leather, and firewood.
    “That was fast,” I observed, looking down at the ironing board. I didn’t want to be distracted by the way his shirt hugged his muscled shoulders.
    “You didn’t eat dinner last night, and all you’ve had today is a granola bar. I don’t want you to starve to death,” he said with a smile.
    He’s been paying awfully close attention to me…
    “I left my phone charger in the truck,” he continued. “I’m going to grab it. I’ll call my mom on the way.”
    James left the room and I quickly ironed the wrinkles out of my short sleeved peasant blouse.
    I wish I’d known James was coming on the trip when I packed… but this is better than my t-shirt.
    I didn’t want James to walk in and