Page 20 of No Going Back

CHAPTER SIX

Tyres crunched over gravel in the hotel car park, as the black Rolls-Royce Wraith glided to a halt a few yards from the entrance. Guy braced himself. One big, fat chicken was about to come home to roost. With starting his new job, he’d put off breaking the news about their accommodation to his companion, but he could procrastinate no longer.

“Maddie, I hope you don’t mind, but when I rang the hotel to book the rooms, I asked for them to be located as close together as possible. When the receptionist asked if I wanted adjoining suites—”

“You said yes.” Maddie finished his sentence and levelled her gaze at him. A lesser man might have squirmed. “Are you all right? You look a little dazed.”

“What?” Guy was still waiting for the eruption.

“Were you expecting me to object?” She turned back to the hotel.

“There was a possibility.”

“Hope for the best, prepare for the worst?”

She turned further away from him, and that was her mistake—there in the wing mirror was confirmation of her struggle to keep a straight face. Two could play that game.

“Of course, if you’d rather I ask for rooms on different floors at opposite ends of the hotel, I’d be more than happy—”

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary. I mean, the hotel’s probably fully booked, and we wouldn’t want to make things difficult for them.”

She was lucky she didn’t get whiplash from turning back to him so fast, then a gentle laugh reflected his own amused expression.

“I didn’t fool you for a second, did I?”

Guy shrugged. “Maybe one or two, to begin with. Shall we go in before it starts to rain?”

As if on cue, half a dozen fat raindrops landed on the windscreen.

“That might be a good idea.”

They made a dash for the entrance. Guy insisted on taking Maddie’s bag as well as his own. Once again she surprised him, this time with her ability to travel light. They checked in, and then made their way up to their rooms.

The gentle knock came as Guy was removing his dinner jacket from the suit carrier. He went to answer it, already certain who’d be standing there.

“Maddie.” Without thinking, he glanced at the interconnecting door, wondering why she hadn’t used it. “Come in. Is your room all right?”

“Oh, it’s fine, thank you—more than fine. I think I could host Olympic swimming events in the bathroom.” She turned to face him as he closed the door. “I just wasn’t expecting something quite so… luxurious.”

“Ah.” When he’d asked for their best rooms, it had slipped his mind that she worked in the hospitality industry. She was an astute businesswoman, and had probably worked out in seconds the likely cost of her accommodation. “Is that a problem for you?”

“No. No, it’s fine, it’s just…”

“Just what?” He took her hands in his. “You’re here as my guest. I wanted you to feel comfortable.”

“I do, but…”

“But what?” Unable to resist, he cupped her cheek and lowered his head to kiss her.

“But… I forgot what I was going to say. Would you mind doing that again, please?” She licked her lips.

“With pleasure.”

She tasted even better second time around. And while Guy relished the thought of getting her into bed, he wasn’t about to hurry her. Maddie was a prize he was determined to win and then cherish for as long as she’d allow it.

“Your beard’s softer than I thought.” Her fingertips explored his jawline. “Did I ever tell you that?”

He chuckled. “No, you didn’t.” He captured her hand and kissed her fingers. “Do you mind it?” He’d shave it off if she didn’t like it. He had to admit, though, he’d grown rather fond of it since deciding to grow it a few years earlier.