LOVE ME harder Book 1

I had just stepped out of the shower and was wiping the fogged-up mirror dry with a towel. The warm air had enveloped the entire bathroom in a pleasant mist, and the scent of my favorite shower gel—lavender with a hint of citrus—still lingered in the air. I smiled to myself contentedly. It was a glorious morning, and I had a feeling the day would be just as wonderful.

As I brushed my teeth, I let my eyes wander over my phone, where I spotted an article about some new hotels. The thought of going on another exploration trip soon made my heart race. Just yesterday, I’d returned from a week-long business trip to Dubai, where I’d had the chance to stay at the world-famous Burj al Arab. It had been an experience I wouldn’t forget anytime soon.

Lost in thought, I reflected on the past few days. I could hardly believe that I’d had the opportunity to stay at one of the most luxurious hotels in the world—and as part of my job, no less. It was truly incredible. Every corner of the hotel was perfectly designed; nothing was left to chance. From the magnificent lobby with its gleaming marble floors to the room service, which left no wish unfulfilled. The restaurants offered a variety that satisfied even the most discerning palates, and the spa was an oasis of calm that was very welcome after my long days of testing.

Of course, in my work as a hotel tester, I had to look closely and pay attention to every little detail. It was part of my job to document even the tiniest flaws, no matter how insignificant they might seem at first glance. But to my surprise, I found hardly anything that wasn’t perfect. I was truly impressed, and that didn’t happen often for me. Despite my critical eye as a professional hotel reviewer, I simply couldn’t find anything to complain about.

With a satisfied smile, I set down my electric toothbrush and reached for the hair dryer to dry my wet hair. As I stood in front of the mirror, I looked at my reflection. My pale skin, dotted with freckles that looked like little golden specks scattered across my nose and cheeks, was typically British. My hip-length red hair was another distinguishing feature, as were my green eyes, which seemed to be shining especially brightly today.

“Cassie, the coffee’s ready!” Mary called from down the hall, and I could hear her clattering about in the kitchen. I hurried to dry the last of my hair and took one last quick look in the mirror. “Not bad,” I muttered, “ .” Despite all the constant traveling and my often hectic lifestyle, I felt really good today. Maybe it was the Dubai sun that had given me a fresh complexion, even though my skin stubbornly refused to actually tan. But that was okay. There were worse things.

I slipped into my favorite comfortable jeans and a simple white T-shirt before heading into the kitchen. Mary was already waiting for me there with two steaming cups of coffee. She grinned at me, her brown eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So, how was Dubai?” she asked, sitting down on one of the kitchen chairs.

“It was absolutely incredible,” I gushed, gratefully accepting the cup. “The Burj al Arab truly deserves every single one of its stars. The suites are pure luxury, and the service—I really had to pay close attention so I wouldn’t miss a thing. But it was a real challenge, and that’s exactly what I love so much about my job.”

Mary nodded sympathetically. She knew the feeling all too well. She, too, worked as a hotel reviewer and knew exactly how demanding—and at the same time, exciting—this job could be. “That sounds fantastic!” she said enthusiastically. “Toronto was great, too, but somehow I miss the more exciting destinations. Maybe next time it’ll be a little more exotic.”

“Who knows,” I said with a grin. “I have to go into the office today, and I’m curious to see where my boss will send me next. Hopefully it’ll be a little closer this time. Europe would be more than enough for me. Lately, I’ve racked up so many frequent flyer miles that I’ll soon be able to fly for free a few times.”

Mary laughed. “I feel exactly the same way! Sometimes I wonder if we’ll just end up living on a plane forever.”

“Could be worse,” I replied with a wink, scrolling through my phone to show her some photos from Dubai. “Look, this is the suite I stayed in. Isn’t it amazing?”

Mary leaned forward and looked closely at the pictures. “Oh wow, that’s pure luxury! And that view! I’m actually a little jealous.”

“It really was a dream,” I agreed, setting my phone aside. “But to be honest, I’m also looking forward to spending a few days in London again. It’s great to travel all over the world, but sometimes it’s nice just to be at home.”

“You’re right,” Mary said, taking a sip of her coffee. “We should go out and party together again soon. It’s been forever since we last had some real fun.”

I grinned. “That’s a great idea! Maybe this weekend?”

“Deal!” Mary exclaimed and started dancing to the music on the radio, which was just getting louder. I couldn’ ’t help but join in, and so we danced through the kitchen, laughing and having a great time. It was one of those moments I especially loved about my life in London. Despite all the traveling and constant hustle and bustle, there were still these wonderful, simple moments with my best friend that made life so special.

After our little kitchen dance, I headed to the office, curious to see what the day would bring. As I entered the office building, I felt a pleasant sense of excitement. What would my next assignment be? Where would my next trip take me? Traveling was more than just a job to me. It was a passion that had been with me since my youth. Even while I was studying tourism, I’d looked forward to one day going out into the world and reviewing the best hotels in the world. And now, at twenty-five, I was living that dream.

When I arrived at the office, my coworkers greeted me warmly. There was a lively atmosphere, and you could tell that everyone was excited about new assignments and exciting projects. I made my way to my boss, who welcomed me with a smile.

“Cassie, it’s great to have you back!” she said, motioning for me to take a seat. “I hope you had a wonderful time in Dubai.”

“Oh yes, it was fantastic,” I replied enthusiastically. “I took so many notes and will have the report finished by the end of the week.”

“Perfect,” she said, pulling out a folder. “I already have your next assignment for you. This time it’s actually a bit closer—we’re heading to Italy. Rome, to be exact.”

My eyes lit up. “Rome? That sounds great!”

“Yes, you’ll be reviewing The St. Regis Rome. It’s one of the most prestigious luxury hotels with an opulent spa. I’m sure you’ll love it. And after that, you’ll head to Tuscany, where you’ll review a small boutique hotel.”

I could hardly believe my luck. Rome and Tuscany! It sounded like a dream assignment. “I can’t wait,” I said, feeling my excitement grow.

“I knew you’d like it,” my boss said with a smile. “Pack your bags and enjoy yourself. But don’t forget to check everything thoroughly—even the smallest details are important.”

“Of course,” I assured her. After all, that was part of my job. But this time it wasn’t just work—it was also a little adventure I was looking forward to.

On my way home through the bustling streets of Covent Garden, I could barely gather my thoughts. Rome! I’d been there once before, but this time it would be a completely different experience. I couldn’t wait to stroll through the narrow alleys, see the Colosseum, and let myself be enchanted by the city’s magical atmosphere.

When I got home, I told Mary about my new assignment, and she was just as excited as I was. “Rome and Tuscany! That sounds like a real dream,” she said, hugging me with joy. “I wish I could come along!”

“Maybe next time,” I said with a laugh and began packing my things for the trip, since the flight was scheduled to leave tomorrow morning.

On that balmy evening, I was sitting with Mary in a cozy little cocktail bar just a few minutes’ walk from our apartment. It was one of those spontaneous evenings when we simply treated ourselves to a moment of peace after working so hard all week. A little nightcap to round out the day—we’d definitely earned it. I took a sip of my drink and sank into the soft cushions of the chair. The warm glow of the dimmed lights reflected in the glasses on the table, and I felt the soft music in the background gradually relax me.

Mary had been my closest friend for years. We’d been through so much together, shared so much, and I loved chatting and laughing with her. She sipped her cocktail and said casually, “I have to go to Scotland the day after tomorrow . It’s a short trip, but I’m looking forward to it.”

I raised an eyebrow and looked at her curiously. “At least you’ll have more time for Andrew. You two hardly ever see each other when you’re traveling so much,” I said, stirring my drink with a straw. “That’s exactly why I avoid committed relationships. We’re constantly tied to our jobs—we never know where we’re headed next, how long we’ll stay, or where we have to go after that.”

Mary sighed softly, but then smiled at me sympathetically. “That’s true, Cassie. But you know, I still wouldn’t want to give up my relationship. Andrew and I always find a way. And honestly, a steady boyfriend would do you a world of good. You’re such a beautiful, successful woman—any man would be head over heels for you.”

I laughed softly, but her words made me pause for a moment. “Oh, Mary, stop it,” I replied, shaking my head. “I’m married to my work. There’s just no room for a relationship.”

“Nonsense,” Mary whispered, leaning a little closer to me. “Just look around. Even right now, so many men are looking at you.” I followed her furtive glance and noticed that several eyes in the bar were indeed fixed on me. Three men near the bar were looking over at us, and when I met their gaze, they smiled sheepishly. Without thinking, I ran my fingers through my long, reddish hair, which fell loosely over my shoulders, and felt myself blush slightly.

“You really are a temptation, Cassie,” Mary whispered mischievously, winking at me.

“Oh, come on,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I don’t have time for that. My work is my life.” But deep down, I couldn’t deny that Mary was right. Maybe I really was too absorbed in my job. I loved the freedom that traveling brought, and the challenge of constantly discovering new things drove me. But every now and then, I wondered if I wasn’t missing out on something. Something that went deeper than the fleeting acquaintances I made on my travels.

“You know,” Mary continued, her voice now a little softer, “when the right man comes along, you’ll feel it. It’ll hit you like a bolt of lightning. No matter how much you work, no matter how much you love your freedom—when it happens, you’ll just know it’s right.”

Her words struck a chord with me somehow. It wasn’t the first time she’d spoken like that, but today they sounded different. Somehow truer. I looked at her, and for a moment, a quiet connection hung in the air between us. We knew each other so well, and maybe Mary really did know something I wasn’t ready to admit yet.

“You really are a hopeless romantic,” I said finally, smiling. But Mary wouldn’t let it go. “That has nothing to do with romance, Cassie. It’s just life. Sometimes the most beautiful things happen exactly when you least expect them.”

I leaned back and thought about it. Could she be right? Was it possible that there was more to life than just the endless trips, the meetings, and the fleeting adventures that made up my everyday life? I’d never stayed in one place long enough to form a real connection with anyone. But maybe it really was time to change that.

As we continued chatting, I noticed that the atmosphere in the bar had changed. The conversations around us grew louder, the laughter more heartfelt. It was as if the evening itself were bringing us all closer together, pulling us out of our daily routines and immersing us, if only for a moment, in a world where anything was possible. I felt a sense of lightness spread through me, as if the cocktail I was holding in my hand were washing away not only my thirst but also my doubts.

The music got a little louder, and a few couples began to sway to the melody. I watched them move, wrapped tightly in each other’s arms, and couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have someone by my side in moments like that. Someone who would hold me close, no matter where the next flight took me or what new assignment awaited me.

Mary glanced at me out of the corner of her eye and smiled contentedly. “You’re thinking, I can tell,” she said with a slight grin. “That’s a good sign.”

I could only shake my head. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s time to put work on the back burner for a bit and see what else life has to offer.”

Mary laughed, but not mockingly—it was a warm, compassionate laugh. “I’ve been telling you this all along. You just have to be open to whatever comes your way.”

I took one last sip of my drink and glanced at my watch. It had gotten late, but I didn’t feel tired. On the contrary, it was as if this evening had awakened something inside me. Something I’d been suppressing for a long time—the longing for more than just the next adventure at work. Maybe Mary was right. Maybe it was time to give the adventure of love a chance, too.

With a smile on my lips, I stood up and put on my coat. “Come on, let’s go home,” I said, “it’s getting late and I have to get up early tomorrow.”

Mary nodded and followed me outside into the cool evening air. I didn’t know what the future would bring, but that evening I felt lighter, more hopeful—and somehow ready for whatever might lie ahead.