Fall For Me: Hotel D, #6

By Nika Stone

Can a fabulous fashionista smooth out this woodworker's rough edges?

 

As a stylist, I've always said I can work with anyone. That theory is put to the test when I'm at a business conference and get paired with Leo Brennan, AKA the world's stubbornest man.

 

The gorgeous furniture designer refuses to participate, even though he clearly needs my help — that much flannel in a single wardrobe should be a crime. Lucky for him, I'm determined to work my magic on someone and build buzz for my company. Especially if that someone is a hot ginger who's great with his hands...

 

But when I spend time in his world, I discover Leo's everything I could want -- and far more than I can handle. Are we doomed to fall apart? Or can we find a way to make our love whole?

 

Fall For Me is the sixth book in the Hotel D series. These short, steamy romances feature mature couples who know what they want, in the bedroom and out! Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heartbound Press
• Release date: Jan 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223876946

Book preview

Finola

Ishouldn’t say it. I know I shouldn’t say it. But my impulse control has taken the train out of town. Along with my patience.

How bad would it be if I sneak out the back?

Jade, my business partner and best friend, shushes me. Fair enough. I could’ve kept that to myself. But I had to ask.

Lane will kill you if you try, she mutters. Oh, right. Lane is my reason. The third member of our… trifecta? Triumvirate? Trivia team? Whatever.

Lane is the jam in our jelly. The hand-scraped vanilla bean in the scoop of Neapolitan ice cream that is our partnership. She’s brilliant, bossy and takes no prisoners. That’s why Jade and I insisted Lane had to be the CEO of Comfort Creek, our lifestyle brand. She’s always trying to make us better, which is why she signed us up for this conference. It’s basically three days of networking with meditation and bathroom breaks, and it was not cheap. Jade is absolutely correct when she says Lane will kick my ass if I walk away from this.

The painfully earnest crowd around me, however, makes me wonder if escape would still be worth it. After all, Lanie can only murder me once. But listening to them all talk about how much they love Ria Black feels like dying a thousand times over. It’s a veritable Groundhog Day of annoyance.

Don’t get me wrong — Ria is amazing. She’s part savvy businesswoman, part psychiatrist, and a complete genius. I respect the way she’s built her company from micro start up to superstardom. Since she’s Lane’s cousin-in-law, I’ve gotten to know her personally, and I respect her a lot. Ria genuinely wants to make the world a better place.

But if I hear one more person talking about her like she’s some sort of saint, I might have to take my chances. Better to ask forgiveness, etc., etc. Besides, at this time of day, the traffic is light enough that I could be at my mom’s restaurant stuffing my face with her cha siu bao in twenty-five minutes. There’s no better last meal than that.

Jade tightens her grip on my arm and shoves a mimosa in my direction. She knows me too well. I don’t have much of a poker face, so I’m sure she can see how close I am to bolting. Usually, plying me with liquor would work. Today, though, I’m restless in a way that not even a good bubbly can shake.

A former culinary school classmate comes up to Jade and starts an animated conversation with her about what she’s been doing since then. I seize my chance and make a run for the door.

It takes me about ten minutes to work my way through the crowd; this room is pretty packed. When I peek back at Jade, she’s still chatting with her classmate. A tiny sliver of guilt nags at me as I open the door. I’ll apologize later. The temptation of escape is too much to resist.

But the universe must be having a joke at my expense, because instead of an exit, I find myself in the middle of an argument.

At least, that’s what it looks like. Two white men, both around six feet, are standing between me and my freedom.

They’re striking. One blond, one redhead, but there’s a strong similarity in their jawlines and deep-set eyes. It’s obvious these two are related.

The blond one wears a three-piece suit and an almost bored expression. The ginger, on the other hand, is in a rust-colored plaid flannel shirt with jeans. Although it’s hideous, that shirt intensifies the deep tone of his hair. The flame color sparks against it in a way that’s… interesting, I suppose. But the tension in his jaw and the fury in his expression command my attention. I don’t know how, but he makes being mad look really fucking hot.

Leo, the blond says. His tone is utterly cool. Like he’s filing his nails instead of facing off with his furious relative. You’re being unreasonable.

You’re being an asshole, Leo replies. His long lashes soften the fire in his eyes. I’m leaving.

Don’t be foolish.

Screw you, Alex. You lied to me and now you’re acting like me being pissed is a surprise. News flash: you really don’t have the moral high ground here.

Okay, okay, Alex holds his hands up in surrender. I may have misled you—

Leo snorts and folds his arms across his very broad chest. That settles it. They’re definitely brothers.

— but it was for a good reason. You need help. I promised Dad—

Don’t you dare, Alexander Brennan. Don’t you dare use our father as an excuse for your behavior—

Gentlemen, I interrupt. As fascinating as this domestic drama is, I’d rather not be a witness to it.

They both turn to me, clearly surprised by my presence. Alex raises an eyebrow, but otherwise maintains that bored expression. Leo, though, is a different story. He blinks a few times, like he’s coming out of a daze.

When our eyes meet, there’s a tiny little shock. It’s not recognition, exactly. I’m certain we’ve never met before, because holy shit, I would remember meeting a man who looks like that. He’d have a starring role in my fantasies for the rest of my life. But it feels like we somehow know one another already.

Apologies, Alex says smoothly. Sorry to subject you to our family squabbles.

I’ve got a sister, I reply. I get it.

If she’s half as lovely as you, the world is doubly blessed.

It’s my turn to snort.

Jesus, Alex. Leo’s scorn is