Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Kin

“The Aurora Inn was just like how my cousin described it,” uttered Ami softly.

I came to realise that a native of Aurora built the inn himself. As Ami parked her car beside mine, she immediately took in the elegance of the extensive house. The inn was known to be the favoured resting place for travellers to Aurora, and I could see why. It struck a perfect balance of historic charm and modern luxury. Then she strode towards the lake and was able to see the uninterrupted view of the water scenery. The expression on her was most enchanting.

I followed Ami wherever she went, standing a solid distance to give her room to enjoy the ambience. I figured, within a substantial distance, I could watch her without being too obvious. Wisps of her glorious hair covered part of her flushed, flawless face as the breeze moved gently over her. It gave her the ethereal quality, of which I had never encountered before in any woman that I’ve met. I was downright smitten with her.

Afterwards, both of us went to the reception desk to get the key to Ami’s room. She told me her cousin Layla had booked the room for her. But as the clerk checked in the system, they couldn’t seem to find her name in it. I could see the panic in Ami’s eyes. She quickly took her phone out, and I presumed, called her cousin. A few minutes later, she returned to the desk and asked if she could book a room for the night. It seemed her cousin had forgotten to book one for her due to her busy schedule. Imagine how dejected she looked when the clerk told her the whole inn had been fully booked.

“Is there some way you could give me a room, even the smallest one? I really don’t mind,” Ami pleaded.

“All the rooms are taken, Madam. I’m truly sorry,” the clerk looked at her guiltily.

“No, no. You needn’t apologise, and it was my fault for not booking earlier,” Ami uttered to appease the clerk.

I couldn’t help but interjected their conversation. “Will you excuse us for a moment?” I said to the clerk.

“Of course, Sir. Take your time,” she drawled, somehow sounded flirtatious to me but, I could be wrong.

I grabbed Ami’s hand and pulled her gently towards the lobby. Much as I tried to ignore the sparks, they kept jolting me from my fingers to my whole body. I sensed Ami felt the same, too, as she jerked her fingers when I grabbed her hand. Rather than letting go of her hand, she instead gripped mine tighter. I started to grin like a fool. When we reached the middle of the lobby hall, I stopped and swivelled.

“Listen, Ami, what I’m about to ask you might sound like I’m coming on to you, but it’s not like that at all. I have an enormous room, complete with a sofa and even a recliner sofa. It’s big enough for five people to stay inside. I know we’ve just met today, but please trust me that I will never do anything you wouldn’t want me to. You don’t have to go elsewhere. Stay in my room. You can have the bed, and I’ll take the recliner.”

I rambled on, trying to make enough sense that I didn’t want her to sleep anywhere else except close to me. She stared at me as if I was out of my mind. No doubt I was. I’d go insane if she decided to stay in another inn, even to the one close by. Ami stood in front of me, scrutinising me, perhaps thinking I was bonkers. And, I wouldn’t blame her. I was starting to go crazy for this breathtaking woman.

Ami sighed deeply. Then out of the blue, she said, “We split 50-50. Otherwise, I won’t accept your offer.”

I was grinning like a fool again. Yup, call me Cheshire Fool instead of Cheshire cat for all I care, but I just couldn’t help it. Amidala is going to sleep in my room.

“All right, deal,” I murmured as I put my hand out for a shake. Ami took my hand and shook it while shaking her head and mumbled something like, “What am I getting myself into.”

I smiled inwardly, but at the same time, I was asking myself the same question. In all my years as a man, I’ve never invited a woman into my room during my travels. It would complicate things; these things always do. But with Ami, I want that complication. She can complicate my life as much as she wants. I accept these complications with open arms. I most certainly embrace these complications. See how crazy I had gone?

As both of us walked back to the reception desk to pick Ami’s luggage, the clerk stopped us to ask, “Is everything okay? Have you found a place to stay, Madam?”

I was the one who answered her with the most charming smile that I could muster. “Yes, she is sleeping in my room.”

The clerk couldn’t move a muscle. She stood there gaping at us. I could’ve sworn there was a flash of envy in her eyes as she looked at Ami. And, to add to the effect, I purposely snaked my arm across Ami’s shoulder, took her luggage and walked towards the stairs.

“I saw how she was coming on to you,” Ami whispered in my ear, tittering.

I gazed down at Ami and murmured, “Just play along with me, all right.”

Our gazes instantly locked, and I realised at that moment, both of us were not playing along. The simmering sparks intensified back again, and we knew it would still be there throughout the entire night. Ami looked away to hide her face but not fast enough to hide the beautiful blush adorning her cheeks. Heavens on Earth… How do I refrain from seducing her tonight?