I’m bummed about missing out on a date with Jake Sunday night. I wanted to blow off studying and go out with him, but I can’t let myself fall behind in Economics. If I get a 4.0 this semester, it will raise my cumulative GPA high enough to qualify for a scholarship for next semester.
I’ll have to settle for texting with Jake. It’s not the same as seeing him, but it’s better than nothing. We haven’t seen each other this week. He told me he’s leaving for practice this morning at nine, so if I clean his room first, I can catch him.
Just the thought of seeing him gives me butterflies. I never felt this way with Nick or any of the other guys I’ve dated. I didn’t feel it for Jake, either, until after that kiss at his apartment.
Once the train gets to my stop, I’m one of the first ones off. I walk briskly to the Dupont, knowing I don’t have any extra time.
It’s my lucky day—Tony’s off. The staff is relaxed as we stock our carts, some people even smiling and laughing. That doesn’t happen when the boss man is here.
I’m planning to start my day in Jake’s room so I can see him, but I change my mind on the elevator ride up to the penthouse level. I hurry into another suite, hoping I won’t run into him in the hallway.
It’s not that I don’t want to see him. It’s that I don’t want to see him while wearing my drab, matronly Dupont uniform. The thought of flirting with him and then changing his sheets and rounding up his dirty underwear to send down to the laundry is…well, it’s weird.
He keeps the room picked up, but still, I’m required to make it spotless every day. I’ve never seen myself as a shabby hotel maid, but I can’t help wondering if Jake sees me that way when I’m in my uniform.
Is he used to women with soft, supple skin and perfectly manicured nails? Probably. I haven’t had a professional manicure or even a haircut in almost a year. Our mom took me and Paige to the salon when we were home last Christmas.
The first suite needs a top to bottom cleaning. It looks like a large group stayed in it last night. I’ve worked up a sweat by the time I knock on Jake’s door at almost ten A.M.
He’s not there, of course. I sigh deeply as I roll my cart into his room, wondering why I’m suddenly self-conscious. I was fine about the uniform until the date. But I’ll have to get over it, because it’s not like I won’t have to see Jake while wearing my uniform.
There’s an envelope on the desk with my name on it. I smile as I pick it up and open it. There’s a note and two tickets inside. I read the note.
Miranda,
Missed you this morning. Hope you can use these tickets to my game tomorrow night. You’ve been wanting to see how big my stick is for a while, so here’s your chance.
Jake
I roll my eyes and laugh. The man has a shit ton of confidence, and there’s something I like about it.
After I’ve tucked the note and tickets into a safe spot on my cart, I set to work cleaning. Jake’s not a slob, so his suite is usually one of the easier ones to clean. When I strip his bed, I catch a hint of his clean, woodsy scent. And by “catch,” I mean I bury my face in his pillowcase.
I wish it was me covered in that heavenly smell. Jake has awoken my libido, and I find myself wanting sex for the first time in a while. Watching him play hockey probably won’t help with that situation. I don’t follow the game, but anything that involves him working up a sweat will likely get me going.
Maybe he’ll want to go out after the game. Paige will flip if she gets to meet some of his teammates, especially single ones. If she doesn’t have to work, we might as well go.
And if it leads to wild, hair-pulling sex, well, I won’t complain.
—
The arena is a sea of red. It’s much bigger than I was expecting, and it’s filled with thousands of fans decked out in jerseys and hats. It’s surreal to see “Birch” on the back of so many jerseys. Kids are bouncing with excitement, matching how I’m feeling inside.
“Holy shit, nachos cost how much?” Paige says from beside me.
“I brought a bag of popcorn. It’s in my bag. And some bottled water.”
“Okay, good.” She gives me a mischievous grin. “I’m totally imagining you wearing Jake’s actual jersey every time I see one with his name on it. And nothing else.”
“Oh, jeez.”
“It’s happening. You’ll wake up in his suite one day wearing just that jersey and a huge smile, I’m telling you.”
“We’ll see.”
“He invited you here, and that’s a big thing.” She hooks her arm around mine as we walk. “I bet we’re sitting with wives and girlfriends of the other players.”
I blanch at the thought. “I’m not his girlfriend or anything. I wouldn’t know what to say if anyone asked me about him.”
“You’ll be his girlfriend soon.”
“I doubt that. I think once we’ve done the deed he’ll lose interest.”
She gives me a puzzled look. “Why do you say that?”
I shrug. “It’s the kind of guy he is. I mean, I met a stripper in his room the first time I cleaned it.”
“Just because he didn’t want a relationship with her doesn’t mean he won’t want one with you.”
“I’m good with what it is, Paige. I’m not looking for a relationship, either, after what happened with Nick. I like Jake’s attention and I wouldn’t mind some amazing sex as long as we’re safe. But this is only happening because I clean his suite. He’s not staying at the Dupont forever.”