Novels2Search

Chapter 6: Step One

On the way to Nanjing, Grant called up a hotel there to book two rooms. Makenna would have her own while the four men shared one together.

"I hope you guys don't take long showers," said Monty as he carried his suitcase down the hall on the fifth floor of the hotel. "Cause four guys taking turns is going to take some getting used to."

Rourke slid the key-card through the reader and stepped into the room. There were only two beds per room which meant they would have to share those as well. As the boys unpacked, Grant check in on Makenna.

"Need help unpacking or anything?"

"I'm good thanks," said Makenna. "But you'd better share everything you guys discuss in that other room."

"Come again?"

Makenna stopped unpacking her shirts and put her hand on her hips. "Since I'm here I might as well be involved. You didn't think I came all this way just to follow you guys and gawk at things did you?"

"Well yes actually that's what I thought you planned to do."

"Well it's clear you guys have no idea what your doing so I think you should be grateful that you have additional help."

Grant laughed. "Oh sure like your an expert. I'm pretty sure you're the most skeptical about this trip here."

"That maybe true but I don't think I could tolerate watching a boneheaded men fumble about for weeks. You'll need my woman's intuition and perspective."

"Well Monty did pay for your ticket here so I hope you do have something to contribute."

"Hey whose the history major, you or me?"

"Alright I get it. Join us downstairs in a few minutes. We will be having dinner at the buffet."

Later that night Grant was awoke by the sound of his phone vibrating. He checked it and asaw that Makenna was sending him texts. It was also two in the morning.

"I'm going to throw her off the fifth floor," Grant muttered under his breath. The other boys were sleeping soundly, Rourke snoring so loudly it was a wonder Frankie was able to get any sleep at all sharing the bed with him.

Grant left his room and knocked on Makenna's door. He realized only moments before it clicked open that he was wearing nothing but his boxers.

"Is this going to be a regular thing?" said Grant angrily, rubbing his eyes. "It's two in the morning."

Makenna put her hands on her hips. She was wearing a black hoodie a size too big to cover her underwear. "I've been doing some research," she said. "Don't tell e you guys haven't been doing the same."

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"We had a long flight and want some sleep like normal people," said Grant, stepping into the room. "But ok since you have me up already you might as well show me the fruits of your labor."

Makenna strode over to her laptop. "Ok so I found that there is a Taiping Rebellion museum here in the city after all. I think its a great starting point. A museum dedicated to the period in history our little expedition is based on."

"Why does it seem like your more into this than I am?" said Grant with a yawn. "Get some sleep already."

"I real question is why your not the one up all night frantically looking for it. Like you said you got a lot on the line."

Grant let out a tired sigh. "Right now if I don't go back to bed my health is going to be on the line." He began walking back towards the door.

"You'll never find it at this rate," said Makenna. "That car is as good as mine."

"That car was the last gift I ever received from my grandfather thank you very much," said Grant, turning around angrily. "So I'd appreciate it if you didn't rub it into my face like that."

Makenna's smug expression changed to one of guilt and shock instantly. "Sorry, I didn't know."

Grant shook his head and stared out the window for a long moment. "You know if we had met under better circumstances we could have been friends. I could see us getting along."

"Don't tell me your warming up to me Foreman," said Makenna, putting her hands behind her back.

"Maybe a little," Grant admitted. "But your still a pain in the ass. Guys don't like it when girls give them attitude."

"How do you know I don't already have boyfriend?"

Grant smirked. "I didn't see any guys at that little birthday party."

"But it was a guys floor wasn't it? Maybe he was in his room doing homework and couldn't come out."

Grant said nothing.

"Oh you got me the T.V. on my floor was broken so we moved down to yours because we heard it was available. "

"So you don't have a boyfriend," said Grant, looking her in the eye and stepping up real close.

"I've had things to do. Much better things that have kept me too busy for a relationship."

Grant touched her bared thigh which made her shudder. "Why aren't you wearing any pants? You knew I was coming in."

"Maybe I'm not as shy as you think. You've already seen my panties."

"Yes but I thought that disgusted you."

Makenna grinned. "I think we are warming up to each other. Besides, how do you know I'm not wearing shorts?"

"Are you?"

Makenna's grin widened and she leaned into his ear to whisper, "Why don't you see for yourself?"

Grant lifted up the bottom of her black hoodie slowly and gently. Her lite colored panties came into view.

"Your one to talk you know?" Makenna said breathlessly. "Your only wearing boxers."

"Does that bother you?"

"I hate to sound shallow but with a body like yours, It doesn't bother me much at all."

Grant chuckled and stroked her cheek. "You know Monty doesn't admit it but I can tell he feels insecure around me sometimes. I should probably help train him. His parents want him to lose weight."

"He seems like a sweet guy."

"Oh without a doubt. You know you can seem sweet too."

Makenna looked up at Grant with a wanting look in her eyes. Grant couldn't recall if anyone had ever looked at him that way before. He didn't think it was even possible to put so much expression into the eyes alone.

"Tell me what your thinking right now," said Makenna quietly.

"I'm thinking that I'm going to be famous once I get that treasure."

Makenna slapped him across the chest.

"Ok ok I'm thinking....that I wanna see if your wearing a shirt under that hoodie."

Makenna smiled and raised her right hand up to the zipper of her hoodie before slowly sliding it down. Even in the darkness of the room Grant could make out her plunging neckline. No shirt and no bra. If the divided halves of the hoodie fell back even just a little more her breasts would be exposed in their entirety.

Grant sighed though and something snapped him out of his short lived state of being mesmerized. He put his hands around Makenna's shoulders and smiled before zipping her hoodie back up. "We should get some sleep. We're going to need it."

He left the room without a another word, leaving her standing in the dark looking bewildered.