Chapter 3

Ash

Elle smothers a yawnas she hefts another box of books onto the table. We've been setting up her table at the signing for the last half an hour. We're rushing now because the signing starts in fifteen minutes.

"What should I do with the empty boxes?" I ask her as I take the last box and set it on the table.

"We can just set them behind the chairs. I'll pack anything that doesn't sell back up in them."

I nod. I was worried that we weren't going to make it. There was a storm in Alaska, so we were grounded for a few hours. By the time we took off, we had just enough time to land here in Denver, grab the rental car, and drive to the hotel. We haven't even checked into our rooms yet.

"It looks good," I tell her as we finish setting up all of the books and swag.

"Thanks. I think I just need to set up my sign and I should be good. There's breakfast over in that room if you want to grab us something to eat," she says.

I nod, straightening a book before I head off to grab some food for us. The convention center is bigger than I was expecting, and it's already crowded with authors and their assistants setting up their tables.

I grab some donuts and two bottles of water and head back to Tessa's table.

"Thanks," she says, taking a big bite out of her donut.

I take a seat in one of the chairs behind her table, and she drops down next to me.

"Almost time," she comments, and I nod.

"What does this Randy guy look like?" I ask her, and she swallows another bite of donut before she answers me.

"Brown hair, thin, maybe around forty years old? He's not a threat, really. I think that he's just lonely."

I grunt and she smiles and waves at a few authors who walk by.

"I'm sorry that you got roped into coming with me," she says, and I frown.

"It's not a problem."

"Really? Because you didn't seem that thrilled when Gunner suggested it or when Niko told you to go with me."

"It's fine. It's kind of like a vacation for me. I haven't had one of those in a while… or ever," I say, frowning when I realize it's true.

"Really?" Tessa asks in shock, and I nod.

"Yeah, we didn't really travel much when I was a kid, and then I joined the military. So, unless you count deployments as vacations…"

"I don't," she says, and I laugh.

"Yeah, me either. What about you?"

"We took a few when I was a kid. We went to the beach a few times and went camping. Then, after college, we really only traveled when we were going to signings and writer retreats."

"I don't think that counts as a vacation either," I comment, and she smiles.

"Probably not," she agrees.

"Where would you like to go?"

"Antarctica," she says, shocking me.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I saw that they do cruises and stuff there. I don't know, it just seems like it would be a cool experience. To get to see all of the wildlife, to be somewhere that not a lot of people have traveled to before."

"It would be freezing," I point out, and she shrugs.

"I don't mind the cold. I'd rather be cold than hot."

"Me too."

"What about you? Where do you want to go on vacation?"

"Iceland. I stayed there when I was headed to a deployment once, before they closed the base there. It seemed like a cool place. I didn't get to see much of it though."

"Why don't you go?"

"I don't know," I admit.

"Heads up! Doors will be opening in one minute!" One of the organizers announces and Tessa straightens in her seat.

"Nervous?" I ask her, and she nods slightly.

"Yeah, I always feel kind of awkward at these. I guess because I'm more of an introvert."

"I'm sure that it will be fine."

She nods, looking around the room. Then, the doors are opened and the signing starts.

I spend the next six hours helping Tessa out in any way that I can. I pass her books, put out more swag stuff when the table starts running low, go grab us lunch, and do my best to keep an eye out for anyone who looks like a threat.

The doors close and Tessa sags back in her chair.

"We did it," she says with a tired smile, and I smile back.

Somewhere over the last few hours, my resolve to keep my distance from her has wavered. It's so easy being around her. We have so much in common, and she's so nice to everyone. There's something about her that just draws me in, something besides the mating bond that calls to me.

My polar bear is that happiest that he's ever been. Probably because we've spend the last twenty four hours with our mate.

"What do you need help with now?" I ask as she stands.

"I just need to pack everything up. We sold most of the books, so I should be able to just pack the last of the books and swag in my suitcase. I need to figure out where they want us to put trash and the boxes."

"I'll go ask," I volunteer, and she smiles in thanks at me. "Be right back."

I head off to find an organizer and ask about the boxes and leave Tessa at the table to organize all of the stuff still on the table.

We pack up the table and I help her carry everything to the front desk.

"I'll go grab the bags from the car while you check us in," I offer, and she nods.

"Sounds good."

I leave her in line and head out to the parking lot. I grab both of our bags and try to remind myself that we can't have Tessa as I turn and head back inside. Tonight is the full moon. I've been trying to ignore the mating heat all day, but as night approaches, the feeling only gets stronger.

No big deal. I'll just lock myself in my room and ignore Tessa until tomorrow when we leave.

My polar bear doesn't agree, and I spend a few minutes trying to get him under control before I head back to the check-in desk.

I know as soon as I walk in that something is wrong. Tessa is frowning at the lady behind the desk and I see her rub at her temples as they talk. I head over to her and stop next to her.

"Is everything alright?" I ask her, and she smiles weakly up at me.

"No, there's been a mistake. We only have one room," she tells me.

That's not ideal, but I'm sure that we can make it work.

"With only one king-size bed," she finishes, and my stomach drops.

Yeah, I'm screwed.