Chapter Seven: There Should Be Two

“Crazy for Cake.” Sarah spoke to the petite redhead behind the table labeled “check-in.” Gavin stood behind her. They spent the two-hour trip to Seattle in silence broken only by the radio.

“Sarah!” The girl’s round face beamed. “I’m Marley.” She stuck out her hand. “How nice to see you again.”

“Hi, Marley.” Sarah smiled and shook Marley’s hand. Finally, a friendly face.

“I hope the list helped you.”

Sarah froze. Please don’t say any more. Her eyes widened, and she tilted her head, willing Marley to stop talking. “What station are we at this year?” She prayed Marley would get the hint.

“You’re at station five.” Marley looked Gavin up and down. “Same one as last year.”

“Wonderful.”

“You can unload your supplies today.” She handed Sarah a packet. “This is your itinerary, tickets for the events, and contest rules. Tonight is the meet and greet. Tomorrow, the competition starts at nine a.m. sharp. You need to be here by eight.”

“Thanks.”

“Oh, and here is your room key. The hotel is letting us check in people.”

Sarah glanced back at Gavin. He stood with his hands in his pockets. “There should be two rooms.” Her heart pounded and she swallowed hard.

Marley looked at her clipboard, her red hair surrounded her face. “Nope. One room was checked on your registration form.”

Fiona Leslie Blue. Sarah could only roll her eyes at what Fi had been imagining when she checked the box for one room. Think you’re pretty sly, do ya? Well, you certainly made your point, Fi.

“The hotel also said they are booked due to the conference. I’ve had some other people come through and try to get rooms elsewhere and everything is taken.” Marley’s eye lashes nearly touched her bangs. “Apparently, it’s a big weekend for events.”

“We’ll be fine.” Gavin reached for the tiny packet containing the room key cards with the room number. He smiled wryly at Sarah. “Just fine.”

Heat rose through her body. Oh, what a tangled web we weave. She did a mental check of the pajamas she’d packed—midnight blue Victoria Secret silky tank top and shorty shorts. On a whim, she’d also included her white cabana robe. Let’s face it, part of her knew being in close confines, if only for the contest, with Gavin may lead to something…and she didn’t want to be caught unprepared. Talking or not, friendly or not, she couldn’t deny their chemistry.

Gavin brought in the boxes, and Sarah worked on setting up the station just as she liked. The sturdy mixer went on her right along with the cooling racks and parchment paper. On her left, she preferred to deal with the ingredients. She lined up the measuring cups and spoons, smallest to biggest. Then she set out plastic pink bowls to line the counter, again small to large. Her special metal spoons used to fold cream and sugar into her confections sat to the right of the measuring spoons. Wooden spoons were positioned by the stove and her spatulas were set next to the mixer. Gavin stocked the fridge with the cream and flavors she’d specifically need for her sweet treats. When she was satisfied she could find items in their area blindfolded, she left the competition area. They brought their suitcases, or in Gavin’s case a military issued duffle bag, to their hotel room.

One bed? Sarah walked past and rolled her eyes. Just perfect. I will get you for this, Fiona. The round table between the rectangle windows barely held her suitcase. It would do, though, the other option was the floor and that wasn’t happening. The multi-colored satchel holding her make-up, toiletries, and hair products fit neatly on the chair.

Gavin dropped his bag on a matching chair on the other side of the bed. The room was nothing special but big enough to not be cramped with the king-sized bed.

“I’m freshening up for the meet and greet.” She unzipped the suitcase and grabbed the black pants and bright pink blouse she’d packed for the night of exchanging small talk. She needed a shower. She’d been tense the entire drive and wanted to feel someone else’s hot steam on her.

****

Gavin waited for Sarah to close the bathroom door. He retrieved his cell phone and dialed. “Are you here?”

Mr. Lexington didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Just checked in.”

“Excellent.”

“I have the Zagic…I mean, secret ingredient.” Gavin spoke in hushed tones, even though he could hear the water whirring in the bathroom. He stared at the door and pictured Sarah naked behind it. His body responded to the image. Down, boy. Nothing is happening now…or ever again.

“Excellent. Meet me by Conference Room C.”

“If you want me to mess with the station, now’s the time.” Gavin paced at the foot of the bed, avoiding the bathroom door. If he continued to consider what was happening behind the door, he might break it down.

“No, we have this now and the recipes you sent yesterday. I’ve decided our win will be better if no one can talk about her station misbehaving.”

Gavin let out a slight breath of relief, grabbed the brown paper bag containing the secret ingredient, and headed to meet Lexington.

****

Sarah stepped off the elevator and fumbled with her key card. Wine. She blinked to focus. I really need to break up with you, Vino. She’d attended the meet and greet alone. Gavin had been MIA since they checked into the room and she’d taken a shower. She figured for sure he’d at least show up at the event for appearances. Wrong. Again. I am so sick and tired of being wrong. Her body couldn’t take much more, waiting and wanting his touch one moment, and being sick with disappointment the next. Worse yet? She wasn’t totally sure she would ever see him again. Standing her up at the competition had made its way on to the list of ways he could mess with her win.

In grown-up response to Gavin’s actions, or lack thereof, she’d knocked back one too many glasses of wine. Not too many to get sloppy, but enough to not care. After an hour, she’d switched herself to water, recognizing the numbness in her jaw, but the new fluids hadn’t kicked in yet.

She wobbled to the hotel room and steadied herself on the door frame. When the green light flashed, she pushed open the door. Sarah didn’t bother turning on one light. The glimmer from the full moon shone through the sheer curtains. The room smelled like Gavin’s spice scent. Whatever, Gavin. You can take your perfect smile and piercing eyes and go to hell. I don’t need you. I’ve never needed a man before, and I certainly don’t now. Sarah simmered on her anger as she shuffled around the clothes in her suitcase until she felt the silky material of her pajamas. Maybe she didn’t need him, but she sure as hell wanted him. Even with this asinine game they were playing—well the game she was winning because the poor schmuck had no idea she knew—she still wanted him. She craved him. Good thing I can separate business and pleasure. Her lie gave her resilience steam.

She stripped and replaced her clothes with the only light nightwear she’d packed. She laughed out loud as she turned to head toward the bathroom to brush her teeth before climbing into bed because that was probably the biggest lie she’d ever told herself.

****

Gavin stared and sipped his scotch as Sarah undressed. He really should’ve said something. Anything. But, just like in the van when he opened his mouth, nothing came out. He caught the whiff of sweet berries as she walked by him. She was drunk and he wasn’t feeling much pain himself.

After handing Mr. Lexington the secret ingredient, he couldn’t bear to see Sarah. He couldn’t look into her blue eyes, knowing he’d just betrayed her. She appeared at the schmooze fest, and he’d disappeared to numb his life with scotch. He lifted his glass to drain the liquid. Take her in your arms and don’t let her go. She never has to know what you did.

“Holy hell!” Sarah screamed and jumped.

He set down his glass. Desire stirred in him…desire for her to be his. He took in her sexy silhouette…hair in a curly pony tail…her long legs. He stood and quickly moved toward her.

“Is this where you’ve been all night?”

The anger in her voice didn’t slow his steps. He knew she wanted him….knew she couldn’t resist him. His confidence might’ve been the scotch talking, but he went with it anyway.

She put her hands on her hips. “You could’ve at least made an appearance, ya know.”

Her words only beckoned him closer. Gavin cradled her face in his hands. He kissed her…deeply, longingly, holding nothing back. I need you, Sarah.

She didn’t hesitate…the passion between them sparked with fury.

He held her tight, wanting to be closer, and inhaled her flower scent mixed with the berries of the wine. Laying her down on the bed, he didn’t let them separate. A soft moan followed each warm kiss he placed on her skin, and he paid close attention to where she melted. He needed to hear her moan.

****

Sarah’s head spun…the wine and Gavin consumed her. Gavin pushed every button of hers…he knew what she liked. Excitement flared deep inside at the unexpected turn of her night. He’s here…he’s mine. She wanted to compose herself, but all of her senses were tuned to him…they yelled for him. A small shudder ran down her spine as he kissed his way up her neck and met her mouth. She had to have all of him now…right now.