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“I can’t believe how big this place is.”
“We can go for a walk in the morning if you like. Or a golf cart tour if you didn’t bring suitable shoes.”
“Can I see where you have the sacrifices?”
He smiled. “That’s a bit of a myth. Sorry to disappoint you. It’s a bonfire.” With an effigy, he allowed. “And yes. You can see where we host our annual gathering. A lot of the meetings during the event are informal, based on member interest. Some are held on porches or at the Grand House.” He braked to a stop in front of their cottage, and he asked her to wait for him.
After exiting the vehicle, he rounded the hood to assist her out. “One day it will be more natural for you to yield to my wishes.”
“Will it?” After a short hesitation, she accepted his extended hand.
The front porch had two gliding Adirondack chairs and a small table for drinks.
“Makes me want a mint julep,” she admitted. “Even though I have no idea what one tastes like.”
“Your wish is my command.”
“Are you serious?”
“Would I lie about milady’s beverage of choice?”
“This place may be a small slice of heaven.”
“Wait until you see the inside.” In front of the door, he waited for the biometric scanner to clear their entry. The lock snicked open and he lowered the handle.
The cottage was spacious, with flowers in a beautiful vase near the door. There was a living room, bedroom, an en suite bathroom, and a kitchenette.
Both the living room and bedroom had French doors leading to a hot tub and a dipping pool that wasn’t large enough for swimming, but perfect for cooling off.
“Do we ever have to leave?”
While Hope’s security check-in was in process, the hospitality crew had delivered their luggage and unpacked their clothes. A bottle of champagne chilled in an acrylic ice bucket, and two flutes stood off to the side. “I can pour you a glass, or we can order those juleps.”
“That seems like a lot of trouble since this is already here.”
“We’ll have plenty of time for the sparkling later.”
“You’re spoiling me.”
He grinned. All part of his overarching plan. After placing the order, he removed the fruit-and-cheese tray from the refrigerator, along with a platter filled with chocolates.
“Oh God. I am so tempted.”
“Don’t worry about the calories, Ms. Malloy. We’ll be working them off.”
“In that case…” She skipped the fruit and cheese and instead selected three chocolates for her small plate.
Rafe suggested they enjoy their courtyard, and she changed into a bathing suit and covered it with a big fluffy robe she found hanging in the bedroom closet. Rafe opted to wear nothing under his.
Within ten minutes, a room service attendant arrived, wearing a bow tie and vest. Had they sent an actual bartender?
The man crossed to a sideboard and unpacked the insulated cooler. Two silver goblets were chilling on ice. With competency and showmanship, he muddled extra-fine sugar on top of mint leaves, releasing the strong aroma into the air.
“Please go easy on the bourbon in one of the drinks,” Rafe requested.
“Yes, sir.” When the man was almost done, he placed very short straws in each silver goblet so that the scent would fill the senses, garnished each with a perfect piece of mint, then offered the beverages on a tray.
Rafe picked up one and handed the chilled metal glass to her. She took a delicate sip. Her mouth opened, and she sputtered. “Wow!”
“Is that good or bad?” Damn, he adored how expressive her face was.
“Alcohol just kicked through my veins. And it’s…” She took another sip. “I’m not sure how this works. It either cools you off or gets you so relaxed that you no longer care.”
“Either way.”
Hope toyed with her straw. “I get the appeal.”
“I’ll set up a second serving, Mr. Sterling. You’ll just need to muddle the sugar”—the man held up individual bags and the long wooden pestle—“into the leaves. There’s a container with shaved ice, along with two more goblets at the bottom of the cooler.”
