Chapter 4

In the fifteen minutes since Hollis had left Kate, she'd ordered a bottle of wine at the bar, second guessing even that simple choice. Should she order a drink for Kate? Another mojito? Did she even like them? There was always the minibar in the room.

She'd carried the bottle of Merlot and two glasses into the elevator, more doubts flooding her mind as she got off on her floor and made the short walk to her room. She wondered if she should get changed as she looked down at her chinos before surveying her suite. Thankfully, both her bedroom and living area were tidy, her bed still made. If she did get changed into something nicer, would that make Kate feel uncomfortable in her shorts and a tank top?

Hollis thought about how her eyes had drifted over Kate and those shorts when she'd entered the bar right behind her. They fit her perfectly. And her navy tank top? Hollis hadn't known where to look. From her tanned arms to her neck to the dip of the fabric that revealed a hint of cleavage.

Hollis didn't need to get changed. She was overthinking this. She left the bottle of wine and two glasses on the coffee table in front of the gray couch in the living area and pulled out her bluetooth speaker from her suitcase. She found a spot for it in the corner of the living area and put on a smooth jazz playlist, turning down the volume until it was at a subtle background level.

Hollis leaned against the back of the couch, her mind drifting to that kiss. She still didn't know how it had happened. She'd surprised herself.

What if I wanted to seduce you?

And then she was leaning in, kissing Kate softly. Even thinking about it now sent a wave of desire through her. The feeling of Kate's hand on her cheek, keeping them close, had only urged her on, and Hollis had let her hand move up further, running into the cuff of Kate's shorts.

She still couldn't really believe that it had happened.

A knock at the door took her away from her thoughts, sending a surge of adrenaline through her body. She paused in front of the full-length mirror and took a deep breath as she ran a hand through her hair. As she reached for the door handle, there was an underlying excitement mixing with her nerves. She had no idea how tonight would unfold, but it was a good kind of uncertainty.

When she opened the door, Kate was standing there. "Hi," she said with a smile.

"Hi," Hollis said, swallowing down her nerves as she smiled back at her. There was no way Kate was in her thirties, looking at her now. There was no point deluding herself, but at the same time, Hollis reminded herself that it didn't really matter. This wasn't the start of a relationship. "Come in." Hollis held the door open for her, and she caught the familiar scent of Kate's perfume as she entered the room. "I wasn't sure if you were okay with wine. I should have asked, but there's a fridge full of drinks too."

"Wine is perfect," Kate said as Hollis let the door fall closed behind her. "Wow. This is nothing like my room."

"I got lucky with the cancellation, I guess. A suite was all they had." Hollis took another deep breath as she followed Kate into the living area, and she was glad that she thought to put on some music. The jazz was relaxing but also romantic, without being too much. "Will I pour you a glass?" Hollis asked as she sat down and reached for the bottle.

"Please." Kate took a seat beside her, leaving the same amount of space between them as she had downstairs, and already Hollis couldn't stop herself from thinking about kissing this woman again.

Hollis poured out two glasses and handed Kate one. "I'm glad you came up."

"Thanks." Kate's fingertips lightly brushed against hers as she took the glass. "Did you think I wouldn't?"

"I don't know," Hollis said with a tiny sigh. "It was always a possibility. To be completely honest, I've been second guessing myself a lot this evening. Even what to order at the bar." She pressed her lips together. "Can you tell I'm nervous?"

"Would it help if I said I was too?" Kate asked with a smile tugging at her lips.

"No." Hollis laughed softly. "What have you got to be nervous about?" She took a sip of wine, completely perplexed by Kate's words.

Kate sucked in a breath. "Are you being serious?"

"Yes." Hollis arched an eyebrow as she studied Kate.

"You're absolutely stunning, Hollis. Of course, I'm nervous."

Hollis knew she was blushing, but it had been a long time since someone had complimented her so directly, someone she desperately wanted to know better, someone who had kissed her so tenderly yet so passionately at the same time. "You really don't need to be nervous," Hollis said, still not quite believing that Kate had even said that. "You're beautiful. And I'm still not really sure how I convinced you to come up here."

Hollis hated that she was letting her doubts creep back in, but it did amaze her that Kate was here. There were so many young, attractive women downstairs, and yet, Kate was here. With her.

Kate was smiling at her. "You didn't convince me. I wanted to come up here." She held Hollis's gaze. "From the moment I saw you in the bar, I was captivated." Kate searched her eyes. "I'm the one who's surprised to be here. I'm so glad you asked me, because I don't think I would have had the courage to."

Hollis once again felt a shiver run through her. She took another sip of wine, her heart skipping at the idea that this gorgeous woman had been just as interested in her as Hollis had been in Kate.