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Hewasimpossibleto read.
Oneminute, she thought he was going to kiss her.Thenext, he was pulling away, uncertainty written all over his gorgeous face.Now, she had no problem whatsoever making the first move—as long as she was sure of the vibe.AndwithJack, she wasn’t sure.Heseemed into her, but maybe he was just being nice.Foronce, she really couldn’t tell.Oneminute he was telling her that she was fucking adorable with his eyes lingering on her mouth, her neck.Thenext, he was quiet and distant, as if lost in his thoughts.
Theystepped into the quiet lobby of the hotel, the door whooshing shut silently behind them.Thefront desk was empty, with a small sign that read “ring bell for service” standing at attention.Thelight was on in the small office behind it, sosomeonewas around.Butstill, it felt as though it was just her andJack, alone together in this beautiful building.
Hetook her hand and started guiding her down the main hallway, past the lounge on her right and the front desk and sweeping staircase to her left, their footsteps cushioned by the lush rug below.Upahead, she could see the sun room, the windows a black screen with white flakes dancing everywhere.Thefaint scents of cinnamon and woodsmoke hung in the air, and once again, she wondered if this place was real.
“Whatdid you want to show me?” she asked softly.
“Imentioned that the hotel was founded by my grandparents, back at the end of theSecondWorldWar, yeah?”
Shelooked up at him as she nodded.Hewas somehow even more gorgeous in profile, all strong, square jaw and full lips.Theblond in his hair glinted in the low light.Thestraight line of his shoulders was broad and firm, as though he could carry the world on them.
“Igrew up here,” he said, leading her directly into the sun room. “Whenmy grandparents retired, my parents took it over.Mymom stepped back once the family got larger, but she would still help out from time to time.Myolder brother,Adam, started running the hotel with my dad, and he took over whenDad…”Hecleared his throat and pushed a hand through his hair. “Whenmy dad died.”
“Idon’t thinkI’veseen your brother around yet,” she said, tilting her head as she studiedJack.Again, she couldn’t read him.Oneminute he was all flirty banter, and the next, he was telling her childhood stories.
Inthat moment, she could hearCarrie’svoice in her head, telling her to relax and go with the flow for once in her life.
“Hestepped back a few months ago to focus on his writing career.Heand his girlfriend are writing a book together, andAutumnwas ready to take over.It’swhat she’s always wanted.”
“Sheseems very good at it,” saidRosalie.
Jackshook his head slightly, as though realizing he was rambling. “Anyway,” he said with a rueful smile, “my brothers andIused to play a lot of hide and seek here, especially on rainy days.Wantto see my never-fail winning spot?”
“Sure,” she said, a slight hesitation going through her.Thiswholewalking her back to the hotel thingwasn’t going at all the way she’d expected.
Hewinked at her, sending butterflies flapping through her stomach, and then took her hand.Heatcurled up her arm, and she suddenly wondered if she’d been misreading him all night.Maybeany flirtiness she’d perceived had been because of her own reactions to him.Andwho could blame her?Hewas sexy as hell, sweet and funny, with a warmth and kindness she hadn’t found in most of the men she’d dated.
Heled her across the sun room to a bookshelf nestled against the far left wall.Hereached out a hand, and then dropped it suddenly, turning to her.
“Now, you have to swear on your life you’re not going to tell anyone about this.Onlyme andAutumnknow about this spot.Noone else.”
Sheput her hand over her heart. “Isolemnly swear thatIwon’t tell a single soul about whatever it is you’re about to show me.”
“Good.Imean, you seem trustworthy enough, for aNewYorker.”
Hermouth fell open in mock anger. “ForaNewYorker?Well, if that’s how you feel, maybeIshould just go,” she said, taking a step back.
Hereached out and circled a hand around her wrist, tugging her against him.OhGod, he was hard in all the right places.Solidand warm.
“Ican’t let you go.Youalready know too much,” he said, his gaze dropping to her mouth.Herheart pounded erratically in her chest, and she was back to thinking he wanted to kiss her.Hesucked in a breath, and she was pretty sure he was just as affected as she was at being pressed together.
Slowly, he took a half step back from her and then tugged on the spine of a book.Itwas a worn copy ofTheSecretGarden, the cover a faded green cloth with gold filigree type.Therewas a faint click followed by a soft creaking sound, and then the entire bookshelf swung inward.
“Whoa,” she said, a tingle racing over her skin.Afleeting scent of roses seemed to fill the air for a second, almost like a gust of perfumed air.
Jackled her inside the tiny room, letting the bookcase/door fall closed behind them with another quiet creak.Anarrow floor-to-ceiling window looked out onto the darkened fields behind the hotel, snowflakes occasionally catching the light from the sconces on the outside of the hotel.Dustybookshelves covered the walls, lined with ancient looking books.Asmall step stool sat in the corner, along with a chest of drawers.Adried up poinsettia sat on top of it, along with several framed family photos.
Rosaliefelt as though she’d stepped into another time, or another world.Shefelt as though they were completely shut away from everything, surrounded by books and snow and…Christmasdecorations.
“I’msurprised someone decorated in here,” she said, eyes roving over the fake pine garland strung along the middle shelf of the bookshelves, laden with red and greenChristmasball ornaments.Awreath sat on the back of the secret door, matching the garlands.
“I’mnot.Thisis one ofAutumn’sfavorite places, and she’s nuts forChristmas.Infact,Ibet…” he trailed off and moved a few feet away, clearly searching for something. “Aha.”Therewas a quiet click, and suddenly the room was illuminated in softly glowing fairy lights.
Fora moment,Rosaliewas speechless, frozen in the beauty of the moment.Everythingwas bathed in soft, golden light, includingJack.
“Oh, wow,” she whispered, swallowing thickly. “Thankyou for…sharing this with me.”Shefelt oddly emotional, and she cleared her throat.
