Page 16 of Cocky Tech God

“Well, hello, there.” My words were casual, but the increasingly rapid thrum of my heart wasn’t. I lifted my chin. “Keeping up your fitness routine on vacation, I see.”

He glanced down at his body, beaded with sweat. “Have to. Contrary to popular belief, this body doesn’t come naturally.”

I doubted that.

“You left the room early this morning,” he said way too loud.

My eyes moved to the screen in rapid succession, and there was no question that Mia heard. Her eyes widened to saucers with the information. Shit.

“Are you on a video call?” Hansen craned his neck to see my screen.

I waved him away. “I am. Let’s talk later.”

“You’re the boss.” Hansen lifted his hands in surrender.

And in a moment, he was gone, running toward the cabanas and back inside the hotel. I watched the whole scene, holding my breath and I didn’t know why.

“That wouldn’t happen to be Hansen Holte, would it? And did he really say you left the room early?” Mia’s question wasn’t really a question. It was an accusation.

I hesitated. Jesus. I was off my game. But Hansen was right about one thing. I was the boss.

“He did say that.” I maintained my composure. Why shouldn’t I? I’d done nothing wrong.

She slapped her palms on her desk. “Luci, did you hook up with Hansen?”

Define hook up.

I pressed the volume button. I didn’t need the whole of Seven Mile Beach to know my business.

“I did not hook up with Hansen.” My tone was too stern, defensive. I relaxed my tensed back. “There was a hotel room mix-up. That’s all.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

“You’re cute.” I rolled my eyes. Defensiveness had come back. I eased up again. “We were double-booked. And there isn’t a single vacancy on the island. So, yes, we had to share the room.”

We didn’t have to share a kiss, though. Or the other thing. But Mia didn’t need to know those deets.

And stop thinking about that.

“Are you serious?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” The sun cruised overhead, making me wonder where I’d left my sunglasses. I felt too exposed. Or something. I didn’t know how to describe what I felt. “We’re on a waiting list for the next vacancy.”

“So, what you’re saying is, you’re sharing a room with Hansen for the duration of the conference?”

“Yes.”

“For the whole week?”

Say it again, will you? I wanted this conversation to end. And I never wanted conversations with Mia to end. “Yes, I am saying that. But reservations is supposed to let us know about any vacancies. So it may not be the whole week.”

“What’s the bed situation?” She grinned. Of course, she had to go there.

I glanced at the time. The first workshop started in thirty minutes, which was a good reason to put a pin in this conversation. “He slept on the floor last night.” But wouldn’t again.

“Naked?”

“We’ve put rules in place. And no nakedness is one of them.” I laugh in desperation to lighten the heaviness I couldn’t seem to explain.