She told herself she absolutely wouldn’t feel a thing if it was him. He’d behaved badly in her apartment building hallway and she wasn’t willing to forgive him. Still, she checked her uniform on her way up in the elevator. She breathed into her hand, fogging up her glasses, then rolled her eyes. Even if her breath was bad, there wasn’t much she could do about it at this point. She wasn’t hiding a toothbrush in her apron.

Rolling the trolley off the elevator, she made her way down the hallway, pausing when she realized there was a man standing outside of the room she was delivering to. She recognized him. She’d seen him when she brought room service last time.

She slowed as she approached. He looked just as fierce in a black suit with a crisp white shirt and a tie. She could see the bump of a gun holster beneath his jacket.

“Hi… uh… Henry?”

A slight softening around his lips told her he liked that she remembered him. He moved to the side of the door, reaching for the knob. “Ms. Mahdi.”

He opened the door for her and she rolled the trolley inside, her heart speeding up.

She didn’t see him at first, but the scent of cigar smoke drew her to the balcony.

“Mr. Kartel?”

It took a moment for him to acknowledge her presence, but when he did, his smooth voice wrapped around her like a blanket she hadn’t realized she’d missed. “It was Volkan last weekend.” His cigar sparked when he stubbed it out.

“That was before you threatened my roommates.”

“I don’t like you living with those boys,” he said, stepping through the balcony door and into the suite.

She’d forgotten exactly how imposing he was and took a quick step back. Unfortunately, the service trolley was directly behind her and she bumped it with her backside. It moved, and she started to fall. Before she could hit the floor, he was in front of her, wrapping his arms around her. The tips of her hair brushed the carpet, but she did not. His arms bulged and his scent invaded her nose, messing with her equilibrium. She was both dizzy and breathless as her body remembered his and warmed to his touch.

“You can let me up,” she whispered.

He set her on her feet but didn’t step away from her. Each time she breathed, the tips of her breasts grazed his chest. It took her a moment to remember what they’d been talking about. Oh yeah, her roommates.

“It’s none of your business who I live with,” she snapped, stepping away from him, careful to avoid hitting the cart again.

He followed, closing the space between them again. “I’m making it my business.”

“I don’t want you to.” She lifted her chin in defiance.