“It’s fine. We’re friends, right. One night won’t hurt,” I say, attempting to make it feel less awkward.

“It might be more than one night.”

I tilt my head. “Why’s that?”

He taps the card on the desk. “We stay in hotels all the time. Our rooms are booked months in advance. There’s a good chance we’re going to run into this problem in each city we visit.”

One night I can handle, maybe even two…but weeks? My resolve won’t last that long. I’ve never been attracted to a man like I am Xavier. The way he walks, talks, and even smiles is a turn on.

How can I resist all that wrapped up in one sexy, tattooed package?

There has to be another way.

“What about the roommate Deena stayed with? Do you think she’ll allow me to bunk with her?”

Xavier shakes his head. “Star isn’t exactly a friendly person. She won’t allow just anyone to stay in her room. Besides, she and Deena have become tight. It wouldn’t be a good situation to put you in.”

Sharing a room with a woman who hates me because I’m with the man her friend wants probably wouldn’t be best. Especially if she’s a female wrestler.

I may end up strangled in my sleep.

“Understood. Lead the way, roomie.” I try to continue to play it off, but under the cool façade I’m sporting, I’m freaking out—a lot.

He chuckles and motions for me to go ahead. “Ladies first.”

I roll my eyes and head toward the guest elevators, and once I press the up button, we stand there in silence.

Hotel rooms are generally pretty small, but I might end up sleeping on the floor anyway because even the thought of sleeping in bed with Xavier while he’s shirtless next to me nearly makes my mouth water.

I wish he wasn’t so sexy. My stupid body can’t control its hormones around him.

I glance over at him and notice the little grin on his face.

Oh boy. I can only imagine what he’s thinking. If it’s anywhere near the thought that just flickered through my mind, we’re in trouble.

The doors open and once again he motions for me to go first while he follows behind with our entire group of luggage.

Who says chivalry is dead?

“What floor?” I ask.

He glances down at the card to double check the room number. “Fifth.”

It’s a painfully slow ride, and I beat back the urge to shout out a silly line like “How about those Dodgers.” Awkwardness is very uncomfortable for me—as I would imagine it would be for anyone. It’s extra hard for me, because I’ve never been in the position where I’ve had to share a room with a man.

Before I go any further, I’m not saying I’ve never seen a man naked. I’m no virgin. Jorge and I did it once out of curiosity, but he quickly put a halt to ever doing it again, claiming it was a sin against God for us to have sex before we were married. He made me feel guilty for having…urges, like I was a horrible person.

But that was more than a year ago. He never touched me again after that. The most I could ever hope for was a kiss with tongue, which didn’t do a thing to settle my hormones.

Not once has Xavier made me feel like I was dirty or wrong for being attracted to him. He read me and knew that I was a good girl—that I am a good girl. Which is why he’s kept his distance. Apparently he has too much respect for me to use me.

I still don’t understand his commitment issues. If he cares so much for me, why doesn’t he want to attempt to have a real relationship with me? Am I not good enough? Not sexy enough?

I wrap my arms around my torso, suddenly super aware of how overly curvy my body is next to someone like Deena. My breasts aren’t fake like hers either. Mine are small, but perky.

Xavier notices my shift in body language and touches the back of my arm. “You okay?”

“Fine,” I answer instantly in a clipped tone.

“I told you, you don’t have to be worried about sharing a room with me. I’ll even sleep on the floor if it makes you more comfortable.”

“Don’t be silly. You need to rest up for the match.”

The elevator stops, and the door opens on our floor. We both exit, and I follow Xavier to our room. After swiping the key card, he flips on the lights and motions for me to go first.

The massive king-size bed occupies most of the space, and while sleeping in the same bed with Xavier scares me, it won’t be like we’re shoulder to shoulder.

The mattress gives a little under the weight of my backpack as he sets it down. “You still want to go eat?”

I shove my hands in my back pockets. “Yeah.”

“Let’s go then. There should be a restaurant downstairs.”

Xavier closes the door behind us, and I follow him down the hall. The second I come to a stop next to him in front of the elevators, he reaches down and curls his fingers around mine.

A tingle rushes up my arm from the point where our skin touches. I should pull away and set boundaries, letting him know right off the bat that this is a business relationship only, but I can’t do it. I like it when he touches me. My body craves more.

We’re playing with fire, and one of us is bound to get burned.

At the soft ding of the elevator, we step inside the awaiting car. Xavier tugs me inside with him, and we ride down to the lobby.

The buzz from the crowd of people assaults my ears as the doors open, and there’s a shriek and a bunch of camera flashes in my face as Xavier pulls us through the throng of people.