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“Our rooms are right next door to each other,” Donovan explained, grabbing hold of her hand. She didn’t pull away, just as she hadn’t pulled away when he’d almost kissed her on the Ferris wheel. They paused for a moment. Not wanting to waste another second, Donovan dipped his head lower. British tilted hers to his. And just as he felt the warmth of her breath against his lips, the grandfather clock boldly chimed the midnight hour.
Skittish, British stepped backward up the staircase. “Good night, Donovan.”
Not able to move, he nodded his head. “Good night, British. Sweet dreams.”
At least waiting for British to disappear from sight gave Donovan a moment to gather himself before being able to walk again. What would she think if she learned he didn’t want to walk with her—not out of respect, but to make sure she did not see the raging erection trying to break free? Donovan dragged his hand down his face and whispered a silent prayer to the grandfather clock that had interrupted them. Had it not rung, they might still be on the stairs, tearing each other’s clothes off. Maybe, he thought as he climbed the stairs, he needed to curse the clock instead.
In the safety of his bathroom, Donovan turned the cold water on in the walk-in shower. When he realized he’d forgotten his towel, he stepped out of the bathroom, naked. The cell phone on his dresser began to ring.
“Little brother, I hope this is an emergency,” Donovan growled when he slid his thumb across Will’s face to accept the call.
“Do you ever wear clothes?” Will asked with a disgusted frown on his face.
Donovan flashed his brother the middle finger. He reached for the folded towel at the edge of the bed and wrapped it around his waist. “I’m busy.”
“Back to your old habits, huh?” Will laughed. “I’m glad you’re done crying and sulking over whatever happened to you. When one girl doesn’t work out for you, you always find the next one.”
At one point in time, maybe even a week ago, Donovan would have laughed at the comment and taken pride in it. Tonight it seemed more like an insult, as if the only thing Donovan could do was go through women. Right now there was only one woman he wanted. “I don’t cry,” Donovan said, studying the background where Will sat. “Are you in the office working?”
“So?”
“It’s after midnight and your hot wife is home alone.”
A giggle came over the speaker. “Did he just call me hot?”
A second later Zoe Baldwin Ravens’s dark head appeared. Her gold hoops caught the light of the office lamp on Will’s desk as she leaned forward.
“Hey, Zoe.”
“Hey, Donovan,” said Zoe with a welcoming smile. She wiggled her fingers and the Ravens heirloom ring sparkled under the fluorescent office lights. “I’m sorry Will’s calling. I stepped out to get us some drinks.”
“I’d never blame you,” said Donovan. “Everyone in the family already knows Will is crazy.”
“Dedicated to t
he company,” Will reminded him. He made room in his chair for Zoe to sit on his lap. Donovan bit back a smile of enjoyment at seeing his brother happy. “Please tell me you’re not sleeping with the next potential spokesmodel for RC.”
“Not yet,” Donovan mumbled. Leaving the phone faceup on his bed, Donovan moved over to the wall he shared with British. The balcony to his room faced the front of the hotel, as did hers. He wondered if she had stepped outside to enjoy the night air.
Will cleared his throat. “We’re about to head out of town and we—”
“You,” Donovan and Zoe chorused and then chuckled.
“Donovan,” Will called out over the line. “I’m serious.”
“About what?”
“The perfect woman,” Will growled.
“Calm down, sweetie,” said Zoe. “Donovan, ignore him. I am sorry we interrupted your evening.”
Any other woman, Donovan would have had in his bed by now. British was different. She was special. She was...
Knock, knock, knock. Donovan turned toward the noise at the sliding-glass door to the balcony and found British standing outside.
She was there.
“I gotta go,” Donovan said, moving to the bed and switching the phone off with one swipe. Eagerness helped him recross the room. His thumb fumbled with the switch to unlock and pull the door open at the same time. A magnolia scent blew in with a breeze. The trees in the driveway were bare. It had to be her.
