Closing the hotel door, Tania sighed as a smile played on her lips. Her day had been so hectic and abnormal, and yet she had loved it. She loved the friendship with Randy and the faced paced relationship that she seemed to be pursuing with Shane. The adrenaline of it all made her feel so…alive.

Tossing of her shoes, Tania walked into the main room and let her keys fall down onto the table. Glancing around, her eyes fell upon a bouquet of roses on the nightstand table.

Confused, Tania made her way over and plucked the card that had been tucked in the centre. “Huh.” Opening it, she let her eyes wander over the delicate handwriting. To my sweet slut.

Anger washed over her and she ripped the card into several small pieces. Picking the vase up, she walked over to the garbage can and dropped the flowers down. So Adam though he was going to be the funny guy. What was he trying to prove? If it was an attempt to break her, it wouldn’t work.

Reaching down, Tania pulled one of the roses out from the rest and held it to her nose. The aroma filled her nostrils and she had to admit, the prick had good taste. Falling back onto the bed, Tania stared at the ceiling. “I bet Jake’s laughing at this all.” The situation she had found herself in had been pretty amusing. Glancing at her clock, she realized that it was already quarter after one.

Grabbing a pillow from above her, Tania rested her head on it and allowed her eyes to flutter close. All she could hear was the steady hum of the air conditioner and the occasional car driving into the parking lot. The silence was nice.

Seconds…minutes…Tania wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she heard the knock at the hotel room door. Head rolling to the side, a smile played at her lips with realization that the clock read 2 am. It had to be Shane.

Letting her eyes close again, Tania listened at the knocks continued. She had told him she wouldn’t answer it, and she planned on keeping true to her words. That was until he announced that he was room service. An idea too creative for her not to play along with. Tip toeing over to the door, Tania smiled. “Room service quits at midnight.”

“Not this room service.” Shane answered back, not missing a beat. His voice was slightly quieter than before.

“I’m afraid I still can’t let you in. Like I said, room service ends at midnight. For all I know you could be some strange man coming to take advantage of poor little me. Some psycho killer or some-”

“Sexy, handsome and very charming billionaire?” He heard Tania hesitated behind the closed door. “Well, if you don’t want to let me in I suppose I can leave heartbroken.”

Rolling her eyes, Tania unhooked the inner lock and opened the door. There was Shane on the other side, his appearance much more relaxed than it had been earlier. He was dressed in blue jeans and a polo shirt that had the top three buttons undone, exposing just enough of his bare chest to be a tease. His hair was slightly tousled as well, suggesting that he had been to or at least tried to get some sleep.

“Hi.”

“Much better.” Shane smiled, leaning against the doorframe with is one arm. “Though for a moment I thought you would keep true to your threat of not getting up.”

“I should have. I was almost asleep no thanks to you.” She was still running on only a few hours of sleep. “I’m beyond exhausted.”

“You look it.” Shane agreed. “Can I come in?”

Tania hesitated for a moment, she really was exhausted. If she let Shane come in, she’d probably be up for a few more hours. Looking up to see the pleading look in his eyes, she gave in. “Fine.” She moved aside to let him in.

Making his in, Shane headed right for the bed, propping himself up on his side with the pillow she had been using earlier. Watching him, Tania folded her arms across her chest. “Were you sleeping?”

Shane gave a little shrug. “Not really.” He had cat napped for a bit on the sofa but that was it. He had more been waiting for Tania and Randy to return from dinner. “How was the food?”

“Good.” Moving over to the bed, Tania sat down on the edge. “I enjoyed it.”

“And the company?”

Tania laughed. “Why Shane, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were jealous.” She was teasing of course.

“Maybe a little.” Shane admitted. “Can you blame me?”

“Nah.” Tania reached up to rub the sleep from her eyes. “Not at all.”

“You do look tired.” Shane had been watching her closely, especially noting the dark circles under her eyes. “Why don’t you lie down?”

“I’ll fall asleep.” Which was why she was trying to keep upright. “You’ll be talking to yourself.”

Shane’s response was to reach out and grab Tania by the waist, pulling her down next to him. “Then I’ll be talking to myself.” He didn’t care.

Hand snaking around her waist, his fingers interlocked with hers. “Your fault then.” She still tried to keep her eyes open, however. “Good thing I’m not leaving early…”

A smile curled on Shane’s lips. “So you’re flaying out with me?” She nodded. “I’m glad to hear.”

“Thank Randy. He helped me make my decision.” Tania yawned. “Basically he told me I’d be stupid not to.” Suddenly her mind floated back to something Randy h ad said earlier. Glancing down she studied his hand for a moment. There was no wedding band present, however the slight change of colour clearly indicated that at one point of time there had been. She had to mentally stop herself from running a finger over it.

Moving a little closer to him, Tania let her back rest against his chest. “Shane?”

“What is it?”

“I’m glad you’re here.” Even if she was tired, that familiar feeling of being comfortable had returned and she didn’t want it to leave. As for Shane’s questionable marital status, she’d inquire about it at another time. Forcing herself to dwell on it too much, Tania sighed. “Even if I said I wouldn’t let you in.”

“I knew you would.” Shane chuckled, the warmth of his breath against her neck. “This is cozy, I’m not sure I’ll be able to get back up.”

“Then don’t.”

“People might talk in the morning.”

Tania lost the battle to keep her eyes open as her eyelids became heavy. “Let them.” Shane already stated that he didn’t mind people knowing the status of their relationship, so why should she? Of course unless Randy had a problem with it. “I just want to sleep.”

“Mmm.” She wasn’t sure what Shane was agreeing with. “Sounds like fun.” Tania laughed, unsure if he even knew what he was talking about, because she didn’t. The sudden realization hit that he was probably half asleep like her.

Silence surrounding the two, Tania listened to the rhythmic sounds of his breathing. Thoughts slipping away, Tania found herself falling asleep with a smile on her face.

---

Stepping into the hotel room, Randy frowned at the fact a light was still on. Looking around the corner, he noticed Dave sitting on the edge of the bed. When he looked up, Randy could tell that something serious was going on. “What’s up?”

“She still worth it to you?”

“Who?”

“The girl.”

Randy could tell by the tone in Dave’s voice that he had a bombshell to drop. “What’s going on?”

Picking up a piece of paper from beside him, Dave held it out to Randy. “This was taped to the door when I arrived.”

Uncertain, Randy reached out and took the paper. Unfolding it, he read the message inside. “This has to be a joke.” Randy stated, looking up at Dave with disbelief. He couldn’tcomprehend what he had just read. “I can’t believe what I’ve gotten her into.”

“You couldn’t have known.”

“If this is true,” Randy gestured to the note in his hand, “then we need to go to Vince.”

Dave shook his head. “No, Randy, you and Tania need to go to the police.”

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