Six
The hotel blew her away. Trust Noel to find them deluxe accommodations. He’d booked a suite overlooking the Pike Place Market. A single bedroom suite at the Inn at the Market.
Talk about a sweet suite.
She forced herself not to giggle like a little girl and swallowedher nerves as they returned from their evening out.
“All right?” he asked as they took the stairs to their room.
“Fine.”
“I enjoyed our meal, but I think the play was the best part of tonight, don’t you?” He strode with confidence in a power suit that he wore with perfection. Dark gray slacks and jacket over a dark gray button up shirt he’d left open at the collar. More thanone head had turned tonight watching him.
At least she’d been smart enough to pack a knee-length dress that complimented her figure and coloring. The navy blue sheath had a plunging neckline, long sleeves, and a tiny slit up the left side that looked more classy than slutty. Or so Solene had said.
Personally, Addy would have rather worn dress slacks and a silk blouse, but even sheknew she’d have been outclassed tonight wearing that.
He let them inside the suite and locked up behind them.
“Yes,” she said, when she realized he waited on her account of the evening. “I’m a Shakespeare fan, but I particularly love his comedies.”
“I prefer his histories, but this one was well done.”
She could have guessed he’d go for history over comedy, or romance,for that matter.
“I—”
He cut her off by taking her hand in his and kissing the back of it. She stared into his dark gaze, breathless.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
Unable to form coherent words, she nodded.
“Let me tell you again. You look gorgeous. I’m a sucker for dark hair, and yours not only looks like silk, it feels like silk.” He rana hand over her hair, and she felt that touch to her toes. “You know, you’re just the right height.”
“For?” she somehow managed to say.
“A kiss.” He pecked her on the forehead then gave her a sly grin. “How about we play for secrets?”
“What?”
“Blackjack. Winner gets to ask questions of the loser.”
“Fine. But you can’t lie.”
He dropped her hand and puthis palm over is heart. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”
She grimaced. “Please. I hear enough of that kind of talk at work.”
He chuckled. “Me too.”
When she would have asked him about that, he told her to get comfortable and meet him on the couch. She entered the only bedroom, ignored the lonely king-size bed staring back at her, and removed only her shoes and hose. She’dbrought her sexiest pair of pajamas, which wasn’t saying much. The soft jersey cotton felt great but didn’t do much for sexy. But she needed to feel on an even keel with Noel. Something about him put her constantly off balance.
So she left on her dress, brushed out her hair, and joined him in the living area. He’d removed his jacket, socks and shoes, and rolled up his sleeves to his elbows.He had muscular forearms, she noted. Closer inspection showed a muscular build as well. Strange that he gave the appearance of being much smaller than he actually was.
“You ready?” He had a glass of what looked like alcohol by his side.
“I thought you didn’t drink.”
