Free Indelibly Intimate by Regina Cole Page A

to this morning?” Hammer kept his voice cool and even.
    “I left you a note.” Her cheeks bloomed with color. At least she wasn’t completely indifferent.
    “Yep, I got it. Nice handwriting.”
    “Look.” She dropped the menu on the table and braced herself beside it. “I’m sorry. Last night was a mistake. It won’t happen again.”
    He took a deep breath. “Okay. Message received. You want to back out of the convention?”
    “No, that’s not what I’m saying. It’s not a good time for me right now, okay?”
    “Got it.” Hammer picked up his helmet and stood. “Sorry to have bothered you.”
    Even though she asked him to wait, he didn’t stop. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. He wasn’t about to start collecting notches in his belt like his brother, no matter how willing she was at the time. In the end, the women felt used and he wasn’t ever going to be part of that. If he ever slept with Quinn again, it’d be because she begged him. Not a second before.

Chapter Seven
     
    Quinn slammed her car door and heaved a deep sigh as she stared at the huge hotel. A banner strung across the portico said, “Welcome Inktastic Convention!” She couldn’t help the flutter in her heart at seeing Hammer again but tried her damnedest to ignore it. It wouldn’t do any good.
    She muscled her black suitcase from the back of the car and shut the trunk with a loud clang. The next four days would be interesting, that was for damn sure, she mused as she rolled her suitcase across the blacktop to the lobby. She and Hammer had barely spoken for the last two weeks. The longest conversation they’d had was when he’d shown up at Buzzard’s yesterday with directions to the hotel and check-in instructions.
    “You’re sure you don’t want to back out?” he’d asked her seriously. She’d tried to ignore his defined shoulders as they’d shrugged. “The hotel is completely full and it’s going to be really close quarters in that room. With me for three days solid. If you aren’t comfortable, no hard feelings.”
    “No. I promised you I’d help out and you’re right, this tattoo is gorgeous. It deserves to win the competition.” She’d stood as tall as she could, reinforcing her backbone with imaginary steel. She owed him. “I’ll be there.”
    He’d nodded, not even giving her that lazy smile of his. He’d given her a slip of paper with the hotel name and printed directions. She’d taken it and stood silent, watching as he mounted his bike. He didn’t drive away until she did. She couldn’t help but think that meant he didn’t hate her for what she’d done.
    You’re being an idiot. What guy would be mad at you for using him for sex? The voice in the back of her brain wouldn’t shut up.
    The glass doors whooshed open, admitting her to the spacious lobby. The truth was, it was more about what she’d done than his reaction. She’d been used way too much before and she couldn’t stand the thought of doing it to someone else. Especially Hammer.
    “Welcome to the Plume Hotel and Conference Center.” The gray-haired woman smiled at her. “Checking in?”
    “Yeah,” Quinn said, shoving the handle of her suitcase down and adjusting her huge purse. “The rooms are under Hamilton Dean?”
    “Yes,” the woman said, her long nails clacking against the keyboard. “I see his room right here. He’s already checked in. May I see some ID?”
    Quinn dug through her purse and liberated her wallet. The woman took her proffered driver’s license with a pleasant nod.
    “Amanda, ah, Quinn is your middle name. Yes, Quinn LaBrea. Here is your key. Room 795.” She held out a plastic keycard along with Quinn’s ID.
    “Room 795,” Quinn repeated as she took the two cards. “I’m sorry, but I thought you said room. There are two, right? Under Hamilton Dean’s name?”
    More typing, and the woman shook her head, raising her brows at Quinn. “No ma’am, I see one room here under Hamilton