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Charlie offered a gracious smile. “Of course.”
I took the councilwoman on a tour of my hotel vision. We surveyed the plans I had drawn up and discussed timelines, occupancy projections, and job creation estimates. Charlie hovered nearby the entire time, pretending to talk on her phone. I couldn’t prove she was doing it, but she didn’t have much to say to whoever was on the line other than mm-hmm and yeah.
“You know a hotel that size is going to cast a pretty big shadow over Main Street,” Charlie said, inserting herself into our discussion.
I nodded as if politely considering her point even though it was ridiculous. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little shade, what with global warming and all?”
“That’s true,” the councilwoman agreed.
“So the best way to solve climate change is fewer trees and more concrete?” Charlie pursed her lips.
“Good point,” the councilwoman agreed—again.
I was beginning to think her vote wasn’t as much of a shoo-in as I’d expected.
Charlie launched another volley. “I’m just saying it’ll stick out like a sore thumb. This hotel completely clashes with the rest of the buildings. Tourists come here to have the small-town vineyard experience. This hotel won’t give them any of that.”
“Small-town vineyards to explore during the day, but at night they want high-thread-count sheets and a continental breakfast that doesn’t include rancid popcorn. You know, the comforts of home.”
Charlie narrowed her eyes. “What do you know about home?”
“Why don’t you two save the arguments for the gala, okay?” Dolores said, stepping her foot between us, an indulgent smile on her lips. “Mr. Anderson, would you mind sending a copy of your proposal to my office? I’m looking forward to reviewing it. A nice hotel for our guests could be a great addition to New Elwood.”
I resisted the urge to shoot Charlie a petulant, triumphant smile. Barely.
“Absolutely,” I told the councilwoman. She wished us luck on the revamp and headed for the door.
Charlie’s narrowed gaze met mine. My heart sped up. I loved it when she looked at me like that.
“I could strangle you,” she hissed.
“Whatever you’re into, I’m game,” I said, and I was rewarded with a flush on her cheeks.
She took a step closer to me, delicate lavender teasing my nose. “You have no idea who you’re messing with, Anderson.”
“I’m shaking in my boots.”
“You think you can parade the councilmembers right in front of me, and I won’t do anything about it?”
“Sweetheart, you know, and I know, and they know, that if the town dies, all your precious history dies with it. I’m proposing an alternative.”
“I reject your alternative.” She inhaled, and the very tips of her breasts brushed against my shirt.
All I wanted to do was grip her chin in my hand and tilt her head up so I could kiss her. I wanted to feel her soften against me, to see if that flush went all the way down her chest. I wanted to feel her skin beneath my palms and use all this anger and animosity and energy in a way we could both enjoy.
I wanted to feel the rake of her sharp nails on my back, to pleasure her until she screamed my name. I wanted her so badly that for a moment, I forgot about the hotel and the demolition and the whole fucking point of my being here.
In a low voice, she said, “I’m not rolling over and letting you win without a fight, Anderson.”
I watched her walk away and wondered if I’d actually care if I lost to her.
EIGHTEEN
CHARLIE
It was on. He was going to parade councilmembers in front of me while he fed them empty promises about all the money his stupid hotel would make them? Well, two could play the campaigning game.
I left Sebastian and headed down the street to the local museum. It was housed in a historic train station originally built at the turn of the twentieth century that had been refurbished and converted into a museum about forty years prior. The steeply pitched shingle roof sat atop red brick, with the Tudor Revival façade restored and painted to its original glory.
