Inn Love: A Steamy Standalone Instalove Romance Read online

  I try several of the small B&Bs around the town, but everywhere appears to be full. I can feel my heart pounding. This place was my last shot. I don’t have enough money to get another train and then pay for somewhere to stay. This place is all I have unless I want to walk off into the unknown on my own.

  I can feel tears stinging my eyes.

  This isn’t how I expected my life to go. By the age of twenty-one, I thought I’d have everything I wanted. I thought I’d be trained as a chef and work in a fancy restaurant. I thought I’d have left my dark past behind, growing up in foster care and then spending my late teens dodging trouble. I thought I would have found someone to love me by now and someone to give all my love to…but, not the case. I did have some decent foster parents, but none who wanted to adopt me or have me grow up there with the rest of their family.

  I’ve dreamed of a knight in shining armor my whole life, but I guess they only exist in storybooks. I always thought a strong man would sweep me off my feet and show me that there’s nothing left for me to worry about. I thought it would make all of the sadness of my past fade away for good.

  But I’m on my own.

  I’m yet to meet a man who is even remotely interested in me, and not one of them has caught my attention either. That’s if I don’t count my stalker, which I definitely don’t want. He can’t even be described as a man, given how awful he is. A lowlife piece of scum who seems to be everywhere I am. The police won’t do a thing, and now I fear for my life wherever I go.

  But I’m holding out hope. There has to be a silver lining to the clouds hovering over my life. I’ve done my time in the shadows, and now I want to start my life fresh. I hold my head high as I continue through the town. I may be feeling beat down by this whole thing, but I’m not giving up yet. I’m sure I’ll find a place to stay for tonight. I’m not going to end up sleeping on the streets….

  I carry on through the town and spot a small, rundown Inn in the town square. I feel hope rising in my chest. It doesn’t look like the nicest place, but it would put a roof over my head. Maybe it’ll even be cheap enough to allow me to stay a few nights. Besides, beggars can’t be choosers, and I’m not exactly used to a life of luxury anyway.

  This place will do just fine, so long as they have a room for me to stay in.

  I head toward it, my heart pounding hard against my chest. It feels like my last shot.

  I’m exhausted from the journey, desperate to lay my head on a pillow and fall asleep for a long, long time. But I have so much to figure out. Where do I go from here? How will I afford to live here? Is this place far enough away to keep me safe from my stalker, or will he somehow manage to find me hidden away here?

  I guess I’ll find out.

  I carry on toward the Inn, hoping that this place will offer me sanctuary. Somewhere safe for me to call home for the night since I don’t have anywhere like that now. But when I see the shirtless man outside the Inn chopping wood, a rush of warmth moves through me, and I realize that maybe home isn’t a place. It’s a person.

  Because this man…he’s something else. Bulging muscles and a light sheen of sweat on his torso only accentuate his features. He has dark hair and dark eyes, and a dark demeanor…he looks somewhat familiar to me, but I can’t place where I know him from. He seems familiar, yet I would have fallen hard if I’d ever seen him before.

  Especially the way I am now.

  I can’t help myself. Just looking at him, I can see that he’s the kind of man who would fiercely protect me and keep me safe from the horrors I’ve seen in this world. And when he finally looks up and meets my eyes, there’s this fire between us like I never thought possible. The kind of feeling you read about in books between star-crossed lovers…the kind of lust and love I never thought myself worthy of.

  But now, here he is, right before my eyes – all this possibility. One look at each other, and I feel a connection forming.

  This instantaneous attraction I feel for him seems to be mutual. His eyes roam hungrily over my body, taking me in like I’m something he wants to devour. Is it possible that he’s feeling the same heat coursing through his veins, the same sudden obsession overwhelming him?

  Never in my life did I ever think something like this could happen to me. An instantaneous connection with a stranger and a handsome one at that. I never knew that I could feel this way. I’ve been teetering on edge, waiting to fall in love for so long…but I never knew it would be so sudden. This man…I don’t even know his name, yet I know that he’s the man I want – the man who can change everything for me.

  I can’t stop staring at him. I know I’m being rude, but I can’t seem to stop. Is he the owner of this place? If so, has he got rooms to rent available? I’d do anything to spend the night under the same roof as him.

  Maybe I’ll get my chance to speak to him, to explore this connection that seems to threaten to overwhelm me entirely. If I do, what will I even say to him? I can’t tell him that I’m falling for him without us even saying a word. I can’t tell him that he’s made me come alive while I was scared that some part of me had been extinguished. I can’t tell him that this is what I’ve been waiting my entire life to feel.

  I guess I should start with “Hello.”

  I approach the man slowly, and he straightens up, his torso rippling with muscles. My heart is racing so hard that it feels like it might burst out of my chest. But I don’t want to turn back.

  Now that I’ve got this man in my sights, I never want to be without him again. I see things that no woman should see in a stranger – safety, happiness, love. I’ve never seen a man in this light before, perhaps because none have ever shown me kindness. But this man seems different somehow. His eyes lit up, his stare was intense, and he had what you would call a warming half-smile on his face.

  I could read his thoughtfulness through his body language and that’s how I know I have to follow my heart.

  “Can I help you?” he says in a deep and gravelly voice. It sends a shudder down my spine, but I keep his gaze steady even though I have never been more nervous.

  “I…I’m looking for a place to stay tonight. Are you taking in guests?”

  “Yes,” he says so quickly that it feels like he would have let me in no matter what.

  Does he want me here as much as I want to be here? I eye him up and down, wondering how this electricity between us may have surfaced so quickly. This man is clearly older than me, wiser. It’s possible he’s even twice my age. Maybe he’s even got a wife, a girlfriend. Am I crazy to think that he might be feeling this too?

  No, I don’t think so. Something about the way he looks at me says that he seems to be on my level. My eyes move to glance at his finger. No ring. Is he available? Is he mine to take if I want him bad enough?

  And I want it. I want it so badly that it feels like an ache inside me. I look at him shyly.

  “I need a room for tonight, at least….”

  “Then let’s get you settled. I’ll give you our best room,” he says, already walking up toward the Inn. I begin to protest.

  “I don’t really have much money for a suite.”

  “You can stay for free. I’ve got you covered,” he growls. “And the room is yours for as long as you want it. You look as though you could use somewhere to lay your head.”

  I blush. Do I look that rough from the road? Is this man simply taking pity on me? But as he leads me inside and upstairs with a key hooked around his finger, I find I don’t care. Any excuse to be around him is fine by me.

  Upstairs, he shows me into a large bedroom with a view of the garden around the back. It’s clearly the nicest room in the Inn, and I feel terrible about taking it. I begin to shake my head.

  “Really, I’m not sure I can cover the costs here.”

  “I told you, it’s on me. I want you to be comfortable here,” he says sternly. He reaches out his hand for me to shake. “I’m Elijah.”

  “Olivia.”

  “Olivia…it’s nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy your stay here,” he says in a husky tone that has another shiver running down my spine.

  Then he leaves me behind in my new room, slipping the key into my hand, and it makes me wonder what the hell just happened.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Elijah

  Tension has taken over my body ever since I laid eyes on Olivia. It was like the moment I saw her, my entire world turned upside down. I had no idea that one woman could have such an effect on me.

  And yet here we are. Me, pacing my old bedroom, wondering how I can make Olivia mine.

  She’s so much younger than me, so beautiful, so innocent. She could have anyone in the world with those enticing curves and her beautiful eyes, drawing me in like a magnet. So why would she want me?

  It seems like she has no idea who I am either, which is a first. I’m not used to meeting people who don’t know who I am. Being a Hollywood star tends to get you noticed. But Olivia didn’t treat me any differently, probably because she has no idea that I’m a movie star. That suits me just fine. Maybe then, she will find a way to like me just for me.

  I guess my job has been a blessing and a curse. It’s given me the life that so many people idolize and dream of.

  I have more money than I’ll ever need, and I could have the pick of nearly any woman on Earth. In fact, women fall at my feet, and I could have any of them forever with just a few words.

  But Olivia seems different. She seemed captured by my presence, but I also got the feeling she could still slip away so easily. Maybe it’s because I want her too. Maybe it’s made the stakes higher, put pressure on me where it hasn’t existed before. But I still get this distinct feeling that she won’t be mine so easily.

  Any other woman could walk away from me, and I wouldn’t
care one bit…but this enigmatic woman needs to be mine. I can’t allow her to be the one that got away.

  She’s everything I’ve ever wanted. She’s made my cock rock-hard in seconds. She’s made me think of her in a way I’ve never thought of any woman before. I need her like I need to breathe. In fact, the thought of her alone in her room right now is enough to drive me wild.

  I should give her some space. She doesn’t even know me. Why would she want me to come and interrupt her evening? She probably hasn’t even thought about me since she arrived here. And yet, all I can think about is being around her. I want to spend my evening with her, getting to know her, exploring her body as well as her mind. I know that I should keep my distance and let her settle in but….

  I can’t keep away any longer. It’s already been a few hours since I left her in her room. And yet, I’ve spent every moment since thinking of her. I need to be around her, to test the waters with her. I need to see if this spark between us can become something even more.

  Before I can tell myself it’s a bad idea, I head to her bedroom. I know this place so well, even though I left years ago. I leave my room on the top floor and head to the middle floor, where the guests stay. I find the biggest suite, where I left her, and knock on the door.

  If my mother knew what I was up to, harassing one of our guests and a non-paying one, she would likely wonder what the hell I was doing. But I don’t even know myself. I’m driven by my desire, unable to use rational thought any longer. She’s changed me in that regard, and now, there’s no going back.

  She has a hold on me, and that won’t ever change.

  Heading for the bedroom door, I hear her moving around in the room. I hold my breath, bracing myself to see her again, but it’s not enough to prepare me for her beauty as she shows up at the door. She’s like a goddess with her golden hair. Her curvaceous hips make me want to grab her and have my way with her.

  I’ve never seen a woman so damn irresistible in my entire life. How have I gone this long without knowing what true beauty really is?

  “Hi,” she says quietly, seemingly nervous. I guess I have that effect on her. I watch as her eyes roam my body, and I smirk to myself. I guess she’s been checking me out as much as I have been checking her out.

  “Hey,” I practically growl. I can’t seem to help myself, it just comes out that way. She’s having an effect on me, too. “I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re settling in.”

  She blushes coyly, making my cock stiffen even more. God, she’s so beautiful without even knowing it. “That’s so kind of you…I’m settling in fine, thank you. I really needed a place to stay. I’m so grateful for you allowing me to stay here.”

  “Nonsense,” I say. “A beautiful young woman like you can’t just be left to roam the streets alone. It’s not safe. You can stay here for as long as you need to. I’ll cover the costs.”

  She shakes her head fervently. “No, I can’t ask that of you…I’ll leave tomorrow. You’ve already been far too generous.”

  “Trust me. Money isn’t an issue here,” I counter. I don’t elaborate further. I don’t want to break the spell yet by telling her who I am. It’s nice to finally meet someone who doesn’t know me as the rich, hot Hollywood star. Just for now, I want to be Elijah and no one else. I want her to know me for the man I am, not the man everyone thinks I am.

  “I still feel guilty,” she says gently. “Is there nothing I can do in return for staying here? Perhaps I can help out? I noticed you’re doing some, um, renovation work.”

  “Absolutely not,” I snarl. “I won’t have you lifting a finger while you’re here. You’re a guest. There’s no need for you to work to earn your keep.”

  “What about cooking?” Olivia presses keenly. “I may not be much use in renovating, but I know my way around a kitchen. I trained for several years as a chef…I’ve been hoping to find work. Maybe I could cook for your guests as a way to thank you.”

  “I’ve told you already, that won’t be necessary. But since you seem so keen on using the kitchen, please feel free to make use of it as much as you like…you seem very passionate about cooking.”

  Olivia blushes. “It’s the one thing that I truly love in the world. There’s nothing better than cooking a meal and watching someone enjoy it.” She pauses, looking up at me with a sweetness in her eyes. “Will you allow me to cook dinner for you? It would honestly be my pleasure…and it’s no trouble at all.”

  I waver. On the one hand, I don’t want this beautiful young woman to have to lift a finger. But on the other hand, she seems so keen for me to say yes. I don’t want to say no to her when this is clearly something she is interested in. Plus, the idea of her cooking for me seems so intimate. It’s like she’s offering me a window into her life, allowing me to get to know her through her cooking.

  “Well, I’m not sure I can refuse an offer that good,” I remark, my eyes roaming over her sexy curves before I can stop myself. Everything about her draws my eye in. She’s like a piece of art, made to be appreciated by me. All I want is to look at her, but she’s already stepping out of her bedroom, keen to get started on the dinner she’s promised me.

  “Could you show me to the kitchens? I’ll make sure to cook something good with what you have in the refrigerator.”

  “Can I watch?” I ask. The idea of watching her work in her most comfortable environment seems somehow sexy to me. I want to see her in her element. Olivia blushes, clearly shocked at the idea of being on display, but she nods.

  “Of course. Whatever you’d like.”

  “Then come with me,” I say, taking her arm. “Let me show you around.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Olivia

  My heart is racing as Elijah shows me around the Inn’s kitchen. Most of the place is pretty run down, but the kitchen seems to be in perfect working order. Whoever is the chef here seems to keep it spic and span, with beautiful marble worktops and plenty of space to work. I’ve dreamed of working in this kind of kitchen for so long.

  And now, Elijah is allowing me to run loose in here. I run my hand over the worktops, opening cupboards gently to examine their contents. I pick up some ingredients here and there, gathering everything I need for a simple but delicious tomato pasta dish. Many people think it’s a bland dish, but not the way that I make it. I’m certain that if I make this for Elijah, it will be enough to impress him.

  And God, do I want to impress him.

  It’s all I want in the world.

  I love how he watches me as I prep the tomatoes. His hungry eyes are desperate for something other than a pasta dish. I see the desire in his gaze, something that has never once been reserved for me until now. This handsome, enigmatic stranger is looking at me and seeing something that no one else has before…maybe he’s crazy, but I don’t care. It feels so good to have a man like him lusting after me.

  At least, I hope that’s what is happening here. I’ll be so disappointed if I’m misjudging the situation. He leans against one of the counters, and even when I turn my head away from him, I can still feel him looking at me. The only explanation to me is that this is sexual attraction.

  He wants me, for reasons unknown, and I can’t complain about that.

  “How old are you, Olivia?” he asks, and I sense the hunger in his tone as well. I worry that admitting that I’m twenty-one might put him off. Maybe he’ll think that I’m too young for him. But I want to be honest with him after everything he’s done for me. I clear my throat.

  “I’m twenty-one.”

  “Twenty-one,” he repeats in a sultry growl.

  I blush. Maybe that actually turns him on? Maybe he likes a younger woman like me, who will cling to his every word and idolize him. I wonder how many other women have come before me. A man as handsome as he is must have women constantly falling at his feet, which means that there’s plenty of competition. But I think I’d be willing to fight for a man like Elijah. I’m not usually that way, but something about him makes me think I’m capable of doing anything to keep his focus on me. I never want him to stop looking at me this way. His eyes seem to be memorizing every inch of my body, sending heat to my cheeks.