Even though I only spent a short time in America, I miss it. If I didn’t fu*k up the way I did, I think I’d still be there.
“I guess we all have different lives. We all have those monsters we hide in the dark and they seem to materialize when we’re alone.” Her words are filled with truth and secrets all rolled into one and when I glance over at her again there’s something hiding behind that mask she wears.
I’ve never been one for games, but I’d like to play hers. To uncover what she’s got hidden in those amethyst eyes.
Ella
The drive is silent after my confession and I have the feeling he felt guilty about bringing it up. As the car slows, I glance out the window and find the hotel we’ve come to see. A historic castle type building that looks as if it’s been standing for centuries and I suppose it has.
My gaze flits over to Carter and I watch his expression change from moody and dark to friendly. There’s something about him that has me intrigued, a deeper layer that I want to uncover. To break through that serious fa?ade and see what lies beneath.
Before I can say anything, the door opens and I glance at his driver, Baines, as he holds a hand out for me. Slipping mine in his, I step out of the vehicle and take in the countryside. The air is clean and I can’t stop myself from taking a deep breath, savoring the smell of freshly cut grass. Even though we’re in the middle of autumn, it’s warm out and I relish the heat of the sun.
“You seem to enjoy the sunshine.” His tone is like velvet slowly sweeping across my skin and the heat of his breath fans over my neck, causing a shiver to race through me. Instead of revulsion, desire swirls through me, setting my body on fire.
“I do.” Turning my head, I find his face inches from mine. Liquid heat shimmers as he regards me. It’s entrancing and I can’t stop staring at him. It’s as if his eyes are glistening with desire before me.
“Good, I hope you’ll find many more things to enjoy while you’re here.” His mouth quirks and those sparkling orbs darken with something that has my core clenching. His hand finds my lower back and we head into the foyer of the historic building. His touch is tender, but there’s a commanding sensuality about the way he guides me with the lightest of brushes against the soft material of my blouse.
We find a man at the reception desk, who looks up as we near the counter. He glances between Carter and me with a scowl. This isn’t going to be as easy as I thought.
“Hello, we’re here to have a look at the building for Hamilton Enterprises,” I offer a small smile, but I’m met with another harsh glare.
“I know who you are, lady. You can go ahead. Mr. Bishop isn’t here to show you around, so you’ll have to take the tour alone.”
Nodding, I offer another smile and turn to the hallway on the right of the reception desk.
“That went well.” Carter’s voice beside me is a low murmur and I can’t help giggling.
I regard him and find a grin cracked on his handsome face. When you see this man serious, it’s astounding at how handsome he is, but when he smiles, my heart stops.
“It seems as if they don’t like you as much as Bennett said. I suppose if you’re buying their livelihood to demolish it, they’d be concerned.”
He stops abruptly. When I turn to look at him I find emotion something akin to annoyance swimming across his features.
“Is that what you think of me? That I’m purchasing this building to either knock it down or lay off these people?” His body is positively vibrating with frustration. I know anger when I see it, and this right here isn’t far from it.
“Carter… Mr. Hamilton, I really didn’t mean it that way. All I meant was that when you’ve spent your life working for something, to have someone walk in and change everything you’ve ever known, it’s difficult. It changes you.” As I finish I realize I’m no longer talking about the hotel but confessing more about me than I ever wanted anyone to ever know.
“I know. I mean, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten angry. It’s just difficult. People see us walk in with our money and they think we’re here to throw our weight around, when in actual fact we’re trying to save the dwindling income of these people.” His explanation catches me off guard. From what I’ve read about Hamilton Enterprises is that they only cater to the elite.
“But, your hotel chain, it’s only—”
“It’s there for the rich so we can pay the staff wages and to give the original owners money for them to retire. We only buy property from people who can’t afford to run the businesses anymore.” A smile cracks his serious demeanor. “Come on, let’s look around, Ms. Carmel.” With a wink, he guides me once again with a light touch.
The hotel is incredible and after numerous hallways and way too many flights of stairs, I’m standing at a window that overlooks the garden. The greenery is discolored, no longer green, but rich oranges, reds, and browns. The grounds on which this hotel is built are incredible. There’s a small hill that leads to a forest and I wonder if kids enjoy rolling down into the lush lawn that I’m sure fills that section in the height of summer.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Pivoting, I find the handsome man who’s been great company the last hour we’ve spent roaming the halls.
“I was just looking at the grounds. They’re incredible.” I point to the window and when he joins me the attraction between us smolders. There’s an obvious magnetism, but I wonder if he feels it too.
“Can I take you to dinner tonight?” The question comes out of nowhere, and my eyes flit over to him. His face is lit up with excitement. There’s kindness dancing on his features. I want to say yes. But, can I be normal? Maybe I can let go of my pain, my past, and my nightmares.
“Sure. Just so you know, I don’t mix business with pleasure.” My sassy mouth takes over and the smirk that curls his lips has me wondering if he’d kiss me.
“Somehow, I have a feeling you don’t really know what pleasure is, Princess.”
I fully face him, our bodies close, and I can feel the soft material of his dress shirt against my blouse. My nipples harden against the lace of my bra and my heart thuds against my rib cage.
“Princess?” I giggle. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, you ensnared me, then ran off at the airport. You left me to find you, only, you didn’t bother leaving behind one of your Louboutins.” His grin widens, the crinkling at the corner of his eyes making him look even younger than he is.
“I don’t just leave my shoes lying around for anyone, you know. There’s no telling who’s a frog and who’s the prince.” I can’t help the carefree laugh that falls from my lips.
He reaches out and strokes his knuckles over my cheek. Fire follows the trail of his touch as if he’d struck a match and held it against me. A shiver runs down my spine and straight to my black lace panties.
“There’s so much tension radiating from you right now I could probably light the hotel with the energy. Don’t you ever let go?” His whispered words send a jolt to my chest.