More Than You Know by Jennifer Gracen Page A

don’t feel like going home, whatever—you can stay here. At the hotel. Have a room for the night, just to crash, and go home in the morning. At no cost, of course. It’s on me.”
    Her brows shot up. She hated how he kept surprising her, especially with a kind word, nice things, or a thoughtful gesture. She hated surprises in general. “Why?” she sputtered.
    â€œBecause I want you safe. Because you work in a hotel; if you’re really tired at the end of the night, why shouldn’t you be able to get some sleep right here?” He pinned her with his gaze. “And because I can . It’s my hotel, for Chrissake.”
    She pressed her lips together to smother a giggle. The tension suddenly broken, he smiled back at her.
    â€œSo, look—you ever want a room, it’s yours. I’ll leave notice with the front desk. Standing offer. No strings.” He scrubbed a hand through his curly hair, tousling it a bit and making something ping low in Julia’s belly. She wanted to rake through those gorgeous curls with both hands....
    Crap, snap out of it, Jules. She realized he was staring at her expectantly.
    â€œThat’s very thoughtful,” she said, shifting into neutral. “Thank you.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.” He shrugged. “Even if you don’t take me up on it, the offer stands for as long as you work here. You never have to ask. Okay?”
    â€œYes. Thank you,” she repeated. “That’s generous of you. Really.”
    â€œAgain, you’re welcome. It’s nothing.” He loosened his tie at the neck, unbuttoned the top button, and sighed with relief. “Ahhh. Been waiting to do this all night.”
    It was all she could do not to grab the tie and yank him to her. Damn him for being so smoking hot.
    He flashed a killer grin. “Well, that’s all, then. Good job tonight, Red. Damn good job. You made me proud.”
    She swallowed down her buzzing desires and straightened, forcing levity into her voice. “Thanks, Boss.”
    â€œSee you tomorrow night. I’ll come by the lounge at some point.”
    â€œJust to check on me?” she said with a coy smile.
    His eyes flared wickedly as he said, “Nooo . . . to check on my new hotel.” He winked. “I’m the owner. Whenever I open a new hotel, I’m there day and night for the first few weeks. Gotta make sure everything’s running smoothly.” His grin turned devilish as his eyes held hers. “But yeah . . . getting to hear you sing is a definite perk. Just getting to look at you, even better.” He moved around her, gently brushing her arm with his as he passed. “Good night, Julia.”
    â€œGood night.” She viewed his back as his long legs took purposeful strides up the sidewalk, watching him until he disappeared around the corner. Only then did she start to breathe normally again.
    Blinking off the haze of lust, she glanced up at the sky. She couldn’t see any stars with all the bright city lights. But she knew they were up there. She exhaled slowly, the adrenaline still racing through her. She was overwhelmed, as she had been for the past few weeks—still stunned by her good fortune, and more than a little thrown by her attraction to Dane. Things were so good right now, she was afraid to trust it. But they were good. Really good. So she’d enjoy the ride for as long as it lasted.
    Grateful, she took a deep, centering breath, then went back inside to her friends.

Chapter Six
    For Dane, the weeks passed in a blur. The new hotel was in full swing and doing well, filled with bookings and getting great write-ups. He went over there every day to see how things were going, along with checking in at his office to catch up on other business. With twenty-one hotels now in his possession, he was busier than ever.
    He liked to pop in on his hotels without warning, see for himself how daily operations were without