“I didn’t think you’d want me to,” he said, hesitant. “But I can—”
“No, you’re right. I don’t.”
Turning on my heel, I trudged up the walkway, jaw tight. I didn’t want his help. I didn’t want his pity. Idefinitelydidn’t want his lips on mine.
…Did I?
No. I don’t.
Grim chuckled behind me as I yanked open the door. “I’ll get us checked in, darling,” he said smoothly, steering me toward a cozy sitting area near the windows.
The interior was just as grand as the outside. Wide timber floors and dark wood paneling spun tales of a bygone era, while textured wallpaper and a crackling fireplace gave the space a designer-magazine kind of charm. Olive velvet curtains framed the windows. Antique French rugs warmed the floors. Heavy furniture filled the room with quiet opulence.
It felt lived in. Luxurious. Rich.
At the reception desk, a slender young woman lit up the second she saw Grim. Her smile was warm, her laugh soft and inviting. I didn’t have any claim to him, but I watched anyway, hawk-eyed and petty.
He’d never laughed likethatat anything I said.
She was stunning—long, straight black hair, deep brown eyes, golden skin. Polished. Effortlessly elegant in a simple black dress and cream sweater. Not muddy sneakers and ripped jeans. Not someone who looked like she crawled out of a bookstore during finals week.
I picked at a frayed knee in my jeans, reminding myself I had no right to be jealous. It wasn’t as if he could actually date her.
Do I care? I shouldn’t,I thought. I was still angry over the stolen kiss, and the way my thoughts turned fruitless. He was confusing.
“Yes, my wife and I are quite excited to use the spa,” Grim drawled, waving me over. “Astoria, darling,” he added, turning to me with a gleam in his eyes, “this lovely woman was just telling me about the spa. I know you were looking forward to a massage.”
I hesitated, hovering at the edge of the conversation. Maybe I waited a beat too long, because suddenly Grim’s arm was around my waist, pulling me flush against the firm line of his body.
“The spa sounds nice,” I said evenly, keeping my tone just this side of deadpan.
“Whatever you want, darling.” He laid it on thick. His voice syrupy as he, again, brushed his lips against my temple. It was too casual, and nothing about us was casual.
My chest fluttered in betrayal. When I glanced up, his gaze was already on me, unwavering. In the darkness of his eyes, I caught a glint I hadn’t noticed before—iridescent flecks swirling like stardust in ink.
A pointed throat-clearing brought me back to earth. The woman behind the desk handed Grim a key and a neatly folded pamphlet of spa offerings with the kind of smile that said she was officially done with us.
“Enjoy your stay, Mr. and Mrs. Tempest.”
Grim gave her a charming nod and steered me away, my bag swinging effortlessly in one hand as he made for the staircase across the room. I trailed after him, still dazed by the key.Mr. and Mrs. Tempest?
“We’re not sharing a room,” I blurted, grabbing a fistful of his coat sleeve.
“Sorry to break it to you,” he said, not even looking back, “but there was only one room left.”
“Says you,” I snapped.
He finally turned, walking backward up the stairs with a shrug. “Says me.”
At the top, we moved down a long hallway to the lone door at the end. Grim unlocked it and pushed it open with a little too much flair, revealing a room that looked as though it had been pulled from a high-budget period drama. It was suspiciously romantic.
“We’ve got a funeral to attend tomorrow.”
“What funeral?” I asked, almost on autopilot. My fingers brushed over the plush duvet, taking in the four-poster bed,the stone fireplace, the soft fur rug. Snow was falling steadily now, sticking to the massive window that overlooked the frozen garden below. It was weirdly peaceful. A surreal hideaway in the middle of a storm—both meteorological and metaphorical.
Then his words finally registered.Funeral?
“What funeral?” I repeated, louder this time, spinning to face him just in time to see Grim crash against a hutch with a clatter, a few bottles of overpriced liquor wobbling dangerously on top.
