Page 3 of In Bed with the Enemy

I told her my thanks and made my slow walk of shame over to the elevators, keeping my head down, because I didn't want to run into anyone from the conference and definitely not Ethan. He seemed like the sort of person who would dry off quickly and change just to see me fall flat on my face for a second time today.

Thankfully, I'd made it to the elevator and up to my room without incident. It had only taken a few minutes before there was a knock on my door. I climbed off the bed and turned the television on mute before heading to the door. Peering through the peephole, I made sure it was someone I didn't recognize and breathed a sigh of relief.

I opened the door with a smile and the bellhop pushed my suitcase through.

"Uh, there was also supposed to be a cell phone?" I asked him.

The young man shook his head. "I specifically asked Mr. Greene if he'd seen it and he swore he hadn't."

I knew I couldn't be mad at the kid. He was just doing his job, after all, and one of their high-paying guests had already been disturbed enough times. I'm sure he wasn't going to question Ethan's truthfulness over the word of a woman who didn't even know her own room number.

"Okay," I said with gritted teeth. "Thanks, anyway," I replied, knowing I would have to retrieve the phone from the fated room myself.

I closed the door behind the young man and paced the length of my luxury room in silence, trying to figure out just what to do. "If I go back up there, he'll definitely use it as an opportunity to rub the whole, 'wrong room,' thing in my face," I muttered to myself. "But, it's not like he doesn't already know he won, because the kid had to go and get my things," I said, turning on my heel to walk the other way. "But, then of course this is probably what he wants," I fumed. "For me to come crawling back there just so he can gloat in my face that he made me come and collect my phone."

I was so tired that I knew I wasn't making much sense anymore. A knock sounded at the door and I walked over to it in a huff, expecting it to be the kid again. I flew the door open, and the "Yeah, what?" died on my lips when I saw who was standing on the other side.

2

AMY

"Well, that's certainly no way to greet an old acquaintance, is it?" Ethan smirked as he strode past me into my room. I was so taken aback that I didn't even move to stop him. I just stood there with my mouth open. "Nice room," he said, turning back to look at me, a glint in his eyes.

I finally snapped out of it, placing my hands on my hips while I leaned against the door, being sure to keep it as open as possible. "Just what do you think you're doing?" I asked him.

He chuckled as he sat on the bed and turned on the television. At least he'd decided to put on some clothes. The last thing I needed was for other people in the industry to see a naked Ethan Greene walking into my room.

"Just returning something you forgot," he said, throwing my cell phone behind him so it landed harmlessly on the pillow. "And," he said slowly, flipping through the channels. "Waiting for your apology."

I almost choked. "Excuse me?"

"Don't act so surprised," he said. "You must have realized your error by now. Don't worry, I won't be mad. But, I do want to hear you say it."

"You must have been drinking," I said, my teeth gritting together hard and my hands clenching at my sides.

"I rarely joke," Ethan said. "And not about things as important as apologies."

"The person who should be apologizing here is you. If you want an apology for the wrong room situation, call the front desk. It was their error."

"Why on earth would I apologize to you?" he asked, his features light and his tone joking.

"Oh, um, I don't know, for trying to make a fool of me earlier?"

He tisked and shook his head, continuing to scroll through the channels. "I told you, it was all in good fun. Besides, I didn't ask any questions or say anything that was untrue. So, why would I apologize?"

My anger was starting to get the better of me. "If there's nothing else, Mr. Greene," I said in a harsh tone, "I'd kindly ask you to leave my room."

"Are you sure this is your room?" he asked with a laugh.

I closed my eyes and tried to take a calming breath. "Yes. Now, please leave."

"Brr," he said, finally turning his eyes to me and pretending to shiver. "Not a very warm reception for your guests, Ms. Reid."

"You're not a guest," I retorted.

He stood and walked right up to me. The scent of his cologne swirled around me and invaded my space more than his physical presence. "Last chance."

"Goodnight, Mr. Greene," I said without hesitation.