Free More Than He Can Handle by Cheris Hodges Page A

arrived.”
    Cleveland wiped the side of his mouth checking for drool. “Thanks,” he said as he stepped out of the car. He smoothed his tan slacks and absorbed the scene. People dressed in bright colors ran around the streets, women lifted their tops as men hanging out on the balconies of their hotel rooms tossed beads down to the street. Shaking his head, Cleveland realized that he was going to enjoy himself. As the driver took his bags to the door, a buxom blonde walked up to Cleveland and planted a wet kiss on his lips.
    â€œYou are so freaking hot!” she exclaimed as she took a strand of her beads from around her neck and placed them around his.
    â€œAh, thanks,” he said as he pushed her away.
    â€œWanna come to my hotel room?”
    â€œBaby, I just got here, let me check in and I’ll find you,” he said.
    She waved her hand as if she knew that she wouldn’t see Cleveland again. “Whatever,” she shot back as she skipped down the street.
    He shook his head and laughed as he headed into the hotel. A crush of people stood near the desk trying to get checked in. Glancing around the room, Cleveland eyed the women, whose style of dress ranged from conservative to freaky. A woman dressed in a pair of shorts that looked like underwear winked at him.
    Shaking his head, Cleveland didn’t know what to think of all of these women who were just throwing themselves at him. It must have been the nature of the party. What he wouldn’t give to have Freddie wanting him the way these strangers did. He knew that New Orleans was way too big to go chasing after her. And he wasn’t going to. He came here to have fun and he wasn’t going to . . .
    â€œWelcome to the French Garden Inn,” Freddie said.
    Cleveland locked eyes with her. “Freddie,” he stammered.
    She inhaled sharply. “Enjoy your stay,” she said as if she had no idea who he was. Cleveland nodded and headed to the front desk. He’d let her play this game now, but knowing that she worked in the hotel meant he would see her again. Cleveland walked up to the front desk and checked in. As he took his room key from the curvy brunette, he nodded toward Freddie. “What does she do here?” he asked.
    â€œMiss Barker? She owns the place,” she said. “You can’t have a complaint already.”
    He shook his head. “Not at all. I think she’s doing a wonderful job. Make sure you tell her I said so,” he said.
    She furrowed her brows and nodded. Cleveland figured that she wouldn’t pass along the message, so he rushed up to his room and unpacked. Then he took a shower and changed into a pair of low slung blue jeans and a white button-down shirt that he left open to show off his sculpted chest. However, by the time he got downstairs, Freddie was gone.
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    No matter how prepared she thought she had been for Cleveland’s arrival, seeing him did something to her.
    Enjoy your stay. What in the hell was I thinking? I knew he was coming, so I should’ve been prepared.
    Even though the lobby was still filled with people, Freddie retreated to her room. She had to pull herself together because after seeing him her knees went weak, her mouth went dry and her heart sped up. Yet, all she could say was “Enjoy your stay.” She flung herself on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. She knew that she couldn’t ignore him; she lived in the hotel and she would run into him. Freddie called down to the front desk.
    â€œYes, Miss Barker?” the front desk clerk asked.
    â€œCleveland Alexander, what room is he in?”
    She could hear Jewel typing the information into the computer. “He’s in suite 7218.”
    â€œWhat? Can you change his room?” Freddie exclaimed. Cleveland couldn’t stay there, it was right across the hall from her suite.
    â€œMiss Barker, we don’t have any other rooms open. Is there a