Free Compromising Positions by Kate Hoffmann

let go of this, I’ll need to make a run for it. They have cameras.”
    She picked up her pace, cursing beneath her breath. When she was finally finished, he followed her to the dark shadows beyond the plate-glass window. He watched as she quickly slipped into her sweater, his fingers twitching as he remembered the feel of her flesh in his hands.
    â€œMornin’.” Benny Barnes appeared in the doorway of his office, a wide smile on his face. “I was wonderin’ when you’d be up.” His attention was fixed firmly on Amelia. “I have breakfast for you. I bought some of that French roast coffee and some nice jelly-filled doughnuts. Can I get you some?”
    Amelia glanced over at Sam and he shrugged. “I want a cold shower,” he muttered.
    â€œShower’s at the top of the stairs and to the left,” Benny said, his gaze still fixed on Amelia. “Come on in, Amelia. I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”
    â€œActually, I’d like to wash my face and get dressed.”
    â€œI’ll take a cup of coffee,” Sam said. He turned to Amelia. “You go ahead. I’ll wait down here.”
    He and Benny watched as she headed toward the stairs. “She’s a beaut,” Benny said. “You think she likes meat loaf? They got a great meat loaf special today at Addie’s Café. I never miss their meat loaf.”
    Sam grabbed his jeans from the pile Amelia had dropped on the floor and tugged them over his boxers. “I think she has a fiancé,” he said. “Some guy back in Boston.”
    â€œHmm.” Buddy frowned. “And you’re not worried about sleeping with her?”
    â€œThat was all business,” Sam said. He grabbed his shirt and tugged it over his head. “I want you to help me break the bed down and put it in Amelia’s trailer.”
    â€œYou’re giving up?” Benny asked.
    â€œNot exactly. But we can’t stay here. It’s too...public.”
    â€œWe just have to fix that tarp,” Benny said. “The nail on the right corner just popped right out and—”
    â€œYou pulled it down, didn’t you?” Sam said.
    Benny shrugged. “Maybe. Can’t blame me for wanting to bring a little attention to my business.”
    Sam shook his head. “Well, everyone on that sidewalk got an eyeful this morning.” He walked back to the window and found his shoes tucked beneath the edge of the bed. There were still a few people on the sidewalk, including Minerva Threadwell and her camera.
    â€œYou can go home now, Minerva,” Sam shouted. “There’s nothing left to see.”
    She gave him a thumbs-up.
    Sam sat on the edge of the bed and put on his shoes, then began to yank the sheets and pillows off and tossed them on the floor. There was no way he was going to spend another minute exposed to the public view.
    â€œWhere you planning to move it to?” Benny said.
    â€œBack to the inn,” Sam said.
    â€œYou can’t do that,” Benny said.
    â€œWe have joint custody of this damn thing,” Sam said. “As long as Amelia agrees, then there won’t be a problem. And she’ll agree.”
    By the time she came back downstairs, Sam and Benny had the bed pulled apart.
    Amelia frowned. “What are you doing?”
    â€œWe’re taking the bed to the inn,” Sam said. “We can’t leave it here.”
    After a long moment she nodded. “You’re right. But this doesn’t mean I’m giving up.”
    Sam grinned. “I wouldn’t expect you to.”
    He wanted to yank her into his arms and kiss her, but he held his impulses in check. He had a plan for the bed—and the two of them—that would satisfy them both. Sam just wasn’t sure for how long.

4
    â€œW HAT IS THIS PLACE ?” Amelia asked, setting her overnight bag down in the small stone structure next to the inn.
    â€œIt was the kitchen before