It would have been much more convenient if my suitcase could've packed itself, considering I had never been one to pack lightly, regardless of how short my trip was to be, and I was at the point of having to sit on my suitcase to zip it.

Alec made it look easy, throwing together three days' worth of clothes, a minimal amount of toiletries, and his laptop in a small black carryon.

Then there was me, Bree: Queen of Luggage.

"Do you really need all that?" Alec asked, leaning in the doorway in nothing but a pair of old, weathered jeans. "It's two days. Three, tops."

My suitcase lay open at the foot of my bed, stuffed with clothing, toiletries, electronics, books, and various other items I undoubtedly didn't need for this trip. Then again, I was always one to pack according to what-if's. Like what if I lose my phone charger? I better take three. What if I get a headache? I better pack a whole bottle of ibuprofen. Oh, and let's not forget. What if my phone's GPS fails? I better pack laminated maps, too! Yes, I'm one of those people.

I shrugged. "I just like being prepared."

"For the apocalypse?" he chuckled.

I groaned to myself. Alec was right. I didn't need all this.

"Okay." I turned to face him. "I'll try packing like you for a change. Then watch Murphy's Law be enacted on this trip and I'll need everything I didn't pack. What are you going to say when that happens?"

A broad smirk had found its way to his lips as he listened to my frustrated words. I resisted the urge to let my eyes wander over his half naked body.

Alec sauntered over to where I stood, placing his hands on my hips and watching me with amusement. "Why don't you let me pack your bag for you?"

"Because I'll get all the way to Seattle and open my suitcase to find nothing but lingerie." I gave him a knowing look.

He nodded, his smirk never fading. "Yeah. That's true."

◆

After rereading my words about twelve times, I'd sent Darin an email last night letting him know I'd be taking a few days off. I decided vacation time sounded a little impractical and instead cited that I was overwhelmed with the changes at work and needed some time to myself to think everything over. I also used the fact that my brother was still in town as an excuse to take time off, though in reality I had no plans to see him again any time soon. There was still bad blood between us over Alec visiting on Thanksgiving.

Darin had replied with a simple "okay" and I took that as my cue to start packing.

Alec booked us first class seats on an early morning flight. We then had to catch a connecting flight in Chicago. The weather was dreadful. Thunderstorms and snowstorms were scattered all across the country leading to thousands of delayed and cancelled flights. We couldn't leave the tarmac in Raleigh until two hours after our original departure time.

I spent most of our wait overthinking my suitcase contents since I'd ended up dumping everything out of it at the last minute and repacking with only the most necessary essentials, per Alec's recommendations. Damn him and his logical ideas. I was also giving an excessive amount of thought to Clearwater's proposal and the meeting Alec had set up for me with Troy.

The way I understood it, Alec was going to introduce me to Bottle-Blonde-Crystal and Madison, the public relations director. Then I was supposed to meet one-on-one with Troy, who had already flown out, about this job offer.

So far, I was not really looking forward to Seattle.

"You're overthinking it." Alec flashed me a reassuring smile, wrapping his arm around my shoulders while we waited at the gate. "Don't try to overanalyze everything now. At least wait until after you talk to Troy to poke holes in the offer."

I had yet to hear the full extent of the offer, thus the reason for seeing Troy's narcissistic face. I still couldn't believe that of all the people Clearwater had to choose from, they'd hired Troy Devereaux.

"It's hard not to overthink," I mumbled, nestling into his side and closing my eyes.

I'd been startled awake by Alec's incessant shrieking alarm at four and my eyes had yet to stop burning. I was running on three hours of sleep and if I'd known our flight would be delayed, I would've stayed in bed until six.

"I know."

He kissed my forehead and rubbed my arm soothingly. If it hadn't been for all the noise filling up O'Hare, I would've loved to cozy up in his lap and fall asleep right there.

◆

By the time we hailed a cab outside Seattle-Tacoma International Airport I was ready to fall over. Every attempt I'd made to fall asleep on the plane from Chicago had been made impossible by the chatterboxes sitting behind us. I'd settled for numerous cups of coffee and two sodas until the flight attendant had felt the need to recommend I give it a rest on the caffeine.

Alec was sweet enough to load my luggage in the trunk and open the door for me, despite the cab driver's offer to do it. The gesture reminded me of when we'd had dinner at the Camaro Diner and Alec had opened my door and even helped me inside. A montage of butterflies flooded my stomach at the memory.

"Grand Hyatt on Pine," Alec told the driver as he climbed in beside me.

"That's expensive," I mumbled.

"Troy's expensing it to the company."

He smiled softly. Most of the day he'd been bright-eyed and bushy-tailed but now his exhaustion was beginning to show. His eyes were becoming bloodshot and he yawned about every other minute.

"I thought you were making reservations." I looked at him with confusion.

His eyelids resembled curtains about to fall. I decided now was as good a time as any to get a little shut-eye and sprawled out across the backseats and his lap, earning a slightly satisfied grumble from Alec's throat when I touched his thighs.

"When I told Troy we were flying out, he offered to take care of it," Alec explained. "How can I say no to someone else paying for my accommodations?"

I nodded sleepily, instantly falling into a dreamless sleep with my head resting on his thigh. His very soft, warm, comfortable thigh.

The drive to the hotel wasn't very long but my speed nap made it feel like I'd been out for hours by the time I realized the annoying tapping and shaking of my arm was Alec trying to wake me up. I mumbled something in protest and attempted to go back to sleep until the cab driver's rough voice reminded me I was still in public.

I hopped out of the taxi a little too quickly and the earth began to spin. Alec climbed out behind me, steadying me and then fetching our luggage.

"You alright?" he asked, placing a comforting hand on my arm.

I cleared my throat, awkwardly avoiding the driver's gaze. "Yeah. Fine." My tone didn't sound too convincing though.

Alec placed one suitcase on top of the other and effortlessly wheeled them into the hotel with his arm around my waist.

"Checking in?" The redhead at the front desk spoke up. Her voice was too chipper.

"Reservation for Shaffers," Alec said, slouching against the fancy marble countertop.

The woman typed something into the computer and smiled brightly at him. Jealousy was subtly prickling up my spine.

"Alright. It looks like there's two rooms on the executive floor. I'll just need you to sign-"

"We'll only be needing one room," Alec interrupted, tugging me against him.

His hand wandered down my hip in a blatantly obvious fashion. The woman's cheeks flushed and I couldn't tell if she was embarrassed or jealous. I hoped it was a little bit of both.

"Okay." She cleared her throat loudly, adjusting her suit jacket. "Just sign here and I'll get your room key."

"Thanks." Alec flashed his award-winning grin, his hand never leaving my hip while he signed the page.

"I hope you find the room to your liking," she smiled, only looking at him. Not once had she glanced my direction. "Aaron will help with your luggage and-"

"That won't be necessary," Alec cut her off again, stopping the bellhop in his tracks. "I'll manage just fine. Thanks."

He handed me the key and we walked toward the elevators, his hand wrapped possessively around my waist. I could feel the redhead's eyes staring knives in my direction and purposely leaned in closer to Alec, snaking my arm around his waist as well.

"Trying to make a spectacle?" he chuckled once the elevator doors shut.

"Trying to make sure she knows what's mine is mine," I clarified. "But you're one to talk."

"Yours, huh?" Alec smirked, glancing down to his shiny black shoes.

Right. We hadn't totally made it official yet. But as far as I was concerned, whether he's my fuck buddy or my boyfriend, he's mine. Mitts off, lady.

An extreme urge to shove him against the wall and kiss his neck overtook my thoughts but the chance of getting caught kept me from making a move. By the way his eyes were trailing up and down my body, however, I was sure he was thinking the same damn thing.

"One room, huh?" I mimicked him.

I felt a light blush creep up my neck at the thought of us sharing a hotel room. We both know what happens when we share hotel rooms.

"Mhm." He didn't say anything else but I could read his expression well enough to know he had a lot more on his mind than just mhm.

Once we reached our room, Alec hadn't even had time to set our suitcases down before I'd bolted toward the windows in awe of the view.

The executive floor was way at the top of the building with incredible panoramic views of downtown Seattle and the Space Needle. I could also see jets coming and going from the airport. Many of them flew right over the skyline in a beautifully picturesque way.

I had to hand it to Troy. I could hardly stand the man, but he sure had good taste in hotel rooms.

My gaze fixed on the Columbia Center. It was a tremendously tall, black, intimidating skyscraper. The tallest building in the entire state. It stood out like a sore thumb against the rest of the skyline and there was something truly stunning about it. I had a thing for attractive architecture and this building embodied all of what I considered impressive in a skyscraper.

"What are you looking at?" Alec asked from behind me.

I'd zoned out in my excitement to see the sights and almost forgot he was in the same room.

"The Columbia Center." I pointed to the building. "I admire whoever designed that one."

"Yeah." Alec snorted a laugh. "That's a sexy building."

I turned to face him with a raised brow. "Sexy?" I tried to suppress a laugh.

"That's what I said," he shrugged.

He'd stopped looking at me and was unzipping his suitcase but I could see a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I made my way across the room to where he'd set my suitcase beside a long, tall mirror near the door. I hoisted it onto the edge of the bed and began unpacking. I placed my toothpaste, deodorant, and other essentials in the bathroom and then went to work sorting through the abnormally small amount of clothing I'd been talked into packing. I lifted the second pair of pinstripe slacks out of my luggage and spotted something I couldn't remember packing.

"Uh, Alec?" I spoke up, one hand on my hip and the other dangling skimpy red lingerie from my pointer finger. "How did this get in here?"

He looked up and his cheeks instantly reddened. An uncontrollable smirk danced across his face.

He shrugged, playing dumb. "I have no idea how that got there." He tried not to laugh but failed miserably.

"Uh huh," I said knowingly.

"I won't be disappointed if you decide to throw it on though," he said under his breath, averting my gaze.

"Is that so?" I twirled the satin garments around my finger.

"What?" Alec looked up, pretending to busy himself with his own clothing. "I didn't say anything."

I couldn't avoid the giggle that tumbled out, watching him try to act like he wasn't the one who put lingerie in my suitcase.

"Maybe I will," I said simply, turning to head for the shower.

Alec's head popped back up at my words. "What?"

"Throw them on," I clarified with a suggestive smile and slipped into the bathroom.

It wasn't long before he was right behind me, helping me undress.