Aria should've known.
The second she stepped into Lakehaven Resort's gleaming marble lobby, she knew this trip was going to be a mess. It wasn't the over-friendly concierge, the obnoxiously romantic jazz playing overhead, or even the complimentary champagne they were offered.
It was the way Ethan looked way too smug for a man pretending this was a business trip.
"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" Aria muttered as she accepted the room key.
"Highly likely," Ethan grinned. "Room 814. Top floor. Great view."
She raised a brow. "Separate rooms?"
He gave her a look.
"Cole."
"Lane."
"You didn't."
"I absolutely did."
Aria snatched the key card and stomped toward the elevator, ignoring the way her heart thudded in her chest.
One room. One bed. This was a nightmare.
By the time they reached the room, Aria was already working out a plan. Couch. Bathtub. Maybe sleeping in the hallway. Anything but sharing a bed with him.
She opened the door, stepped inside… and groaned.
The room was obnoxiously nice. Soft cream walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, a balcony overlooking the lake. A giant king-size bed in the center.
And no couch.
Not even a sad little armchair.
"Where's the extra bed?" Aria demanded.
Ethan strolled in behind her, setting his bag down. "Must've been a clerical error."
"You mean a sabotage."
"Tomato, tomahto."
Aria glared. "You planned this."
"I'm hurt you'd accuse me of such manipulation," he smirked, kicking off his shoes. "Besides, it's a king. Plenty of room to stay on your side."
"You don't have a 'side,' Cole. You invade entire countries in your sleep."
He raised a brow. "Do I?"
"Yes. I've witnessed it. You steal blankets like it's a sport."
He grinned, flopping onto the bed. "Guess you'll have to fight me for them."
Aria threw a pillow at his face.
---
After dinner with the investors — which involved way too many polite smiles and Ethan subtly kicking her under the table every time she rolled her eyes — they returned to the room, exhausted.
Aria changed into an old tank top and shorts, determined to pretend this wasn't weird.
When she stepped out of the bathroom, Ethan was sprawled on the bed in gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt, hair tousled, watching some crime doc on TV.
"Wow," Aria said. "Didn't peg you for a 'Serial Killer Secrets' kind of guy."
"I like the drama," he shrugged. "Also, watching this makes me feel like less of a monster."
"Charming."
He patted the bed. "Come on, Lane. Truce. Watch with me."
She hesitated. Then sighed. "Fine. One episode."
"Two."
"Don't push it."
She climbed onto the opposite side of the bed, grabbing a pillow barrier and propping it between them.
Ethan snorted. "What are you, twelve?"
"It's a boundary."
"Lane, we've literally made out in a diner parking lot."
"Still need boundaries."
"Okay, fine. Boundaries."
---
Halfway through the second episode, Aria realized Ethan had fallen asleep.
His head tipped toward her, one hand tangled in the sheets, the steady rise and fall of his chest way too distracting for her peace of mind.
He looked… soft like this.
No sharp comebacks. No smug smirks.
Just a guy.
A guy who'd driven three hours to make sure she didn't eat takeout alone. Who'd admitted to being jealous. Who looked at her like she was the only person in the room.
Aria sighed, switching off the TV and sliding under the covers.
Maybe this wasn't the worst thing in the world.
She closed her eyes.
Ten minutes later, she felt him move.
Then a hand slipped across her waist, pulling her close.
"Cole," she whispered.
"Cold," he mumbled.
"Move over."
"Mm-mm."
"You're breaking the boundary."
He nuzzled against her neck. "Sleep, Lane."
And somehow… she did....