Page 25 of Watching Her

Without realizing, I moved around my table, heading toward one of three doors leading to the corridor. Only when I was halfway through did I catch sight of who I thought was the handsome stranger.

Groaning, I turned away. Not him.

I headed back to my table, but oddly enough, the sensations lingered.

With the afternoon winding down, I was enthused but tired, maybe even looking forward to the evening’s festivities.

Now, time for a little R & R. If only I’d thought about bringing a bottle of wine with me. I followed several people into the crowded elevator, even laughing at myself that I’d evidently gotten off on the wrong floor the night before.

If that had really happened.

In a way, I hoped that I had kissed the hot stranger. I’d leave him with something more than just a burn on his arm. Right below a gorgeous tattoo. The same tattoo I’d seen at the coffee shop. Yep, I’d kissed Mr. Hottie.

Should I try to find him to apologize or pray I never ran into him again?

In my entire life.

I resisted laughing in the crowded space, getting off quickly as soon as the elevator had reached my floor.

At least I was certain of my room number on this gorgeous late September day. I nodded to a couple of people as I passed, surprised the floor was as quiet as it was given the wild and crazy activity on the first couple of floors. The card worked on the first try, the green light flashing.

I headed in, tossing my bag in the entrance foyer. I’d yet to get over the fact I’d been provided with a suite complete with a living room, a small but elegant kitchen, a wraparound deck since I had a corner room, and a bed and bathroom full of luxury. And the views were to die for.

They’d captured my attention every time I’d entered.

Not today.

Even though the wall of glass and the open drapes allowed for the same spectacular view, that wasn’t what captured my attention almost the moment I’d walked in.

My mouth had already dropped open as I walked closer to the living room and kitchen area. On the granite island separating the two rooms were two huge, and I do mean huge, baskets full of goodies. As I walked closer, I was shocked to find wine and champagne, crackers and cheeses from every corner of the world. There were pates that had to come from the local delicatessen, olives, nuts.

Everything that I would never consider purchasing at a specialty grocery store because of the expense was nestled inside the woven artisan baskets. That wasn’t all. On the table in the living room were flowers.

Not just a store-bought bouquet of whatever flowers the company had cultivated because they were cheap. Oh, no. One vase was full of roses so beautiful and so aromatic they took my breath away even from across the room. In hues of red and yellow, purple and the most stunning peach, the floral display reminded me of a rainbow.

In the other crystal vase was a collection of tropical flowers, many of which I had no clue their names or origins, but the stunning display reminded me of something I’d see in Hawaii.

I was flabbergasted, uncertain how to react. Was there any chance this was simply a bribe sent by Jordan to try to keep my mouth shut?

Hmmm… Now that made sense. I wouldn’t put anything past the man. He obviously hadn’t figured out what I was made of during our time working together.

Or rather when he was doing everything in his power to have me tossed to the curb.

I came this close to tossing the baskets against the wall, but why waste such deliciousness? I’d consume to my heart’s desire then torment him that much more.

The fragrance of the roses called to me and I walked closer, almost feeling like a traitor in doing so. There was a card. Oh, goodie. I couldn’t wait to see if the dude would resort to groveling.

By the time I removed the card from the envelope, I’d shredded a portion. The card itself was heavy linen parchment and of the finest quality.

The note?

My pleasure…

C.T.

I lifted my head, finally staring at the gorgeous mountains in the distance. And for whatever reason, I started to tremble.

Especially since I gathered an entirely different scent inside the room, the faint, smoky trail of a man’s aftershave. It was the exact scent of rain-soaked woods and spices. Just gathering a trace of it in the air made my skin tingle with a sudden, vivid image of a tall, dark, and very handsome stranger.