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“Comeon,” saidAutumn, linking her arm throughHazel’s. “Let’shead back to the inn.Ihave it on good authority that the fireplace is roaring and there’s a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven.Maybea cup of tea to go with it?”
Hazelbumped her shoulder againstAutumn’s.Itwas incredible to her that she’d only known her for a day.Itfelt like much, much longer, in a good way.Therewas an ease that she wasn’t used to.Thenagain, maybe she’d been the problem all along.Maybeshe’d always been trying too hard to force things instead of letting them happen organically.Asthey were meant to.
“Youread my mind,” saidHazel, a smile on her face as they headed back toAutumn’scar through the gloomy weather.
ELEVEN
Adammovedthrough the main area of the hotel, turning on lights even though it was only mid-afternoon.Therain had descended earlier and the clouds were still low in the sky, blocking out any trace of yesterday’s sun.Ashe turned on a lamp on the table in the lounge, he frowned, noticing something glinting at him in the light.Reachingforward, he pulled out a small gold hoop.Someonehad lost an earring.Hopefullyit belonged to a guest who was still staying with them.
Ashe returned to the front desk, preparing to put the earring into an envelope for safe keeping, the front door opened, bringing with it a gust of damp, fall air.AutumnandHazelstepped inside, laughing as they pushed the door closed against the gale.
“Oh, my gosh!Isthat my earring?”Hazelasked, stepping forward, her eyes zeroing in on the gold hoop between his fingers. “Irealized thatIlost it yesterday andIassumed it had fallen off at the falls.Wheredid you find it?” she asked, taking it from him.Theirfingers brushed, sending a current of electricity upAdam’sarm.Therush of awareness he’d felt this morning was suddenly back.
Hecleared his throat softly before speaking. “Inthe couch cushions in the lounge.”
“Really?” askedAutumn, her eyebrow cocked. “BecauseIcleaned in there earlier, andIdidn’t see anything.”
Adamshrugged. “Iguess you must’ve missed it.”Hewasn’t looking atAutumnas he spoke because his eyes were still very much glued toHazel—the wet strand of hair plastered to her cheek, the droplets of rain on her glasses.
“Well, thank you,” saidHazel, slipping the earring into her pocket. “I’mglad you found it.”
Outof the corner of his eye,AdamsawAutumnslinking away towards the lounge.
“Yougot caught in the rain,Isee,” he said, and before he could stop himself, he lifted his hand and brushed the wet tendril away from her cheek, tucking it safely behind her ear.Sheinhaled sharply, and when he dropped his hand, the tips of his fingers were tingling.Hewasn’t normally so…so forward, but he couldn’t seem to help himself when it came toHazel.Itwas as though he looked at her and everything inside him unravelled.
“Oh,” she breathed. “Um…rain.Yes.It’sraining.”
“Iknow.”Shewas adorably flustered, and he felt as though he’d evened the playing field slightly after his little debacle this morning.
God, that white robe plastered to her…Fuck.
“Um…how’s your head?” she asked, blinking up at him.
“I’lllive.Luckyfor me,I’vegot a hard one.”
“Ibet you do.”Inan echo of that morning, she slapped a hand over her mouth. “Youmust thinkI’msuch a pervert.EverythingIsay seems to come out wrong around you.”
“Doesit?” he asked, cocking his head. “Ihadn’t noticed.”Heleaned forward, lowering his head so that his lips were only inches from her ear. “Andfor the record,Idon’t think you’re a pervert.Ithink you’re fucking adorable.”
Shemade a soft sound in the back of her throat.Somethingabout that sound chipped away at his resolve to treat her with polite, professional indifference.Normally, he had his rules, and he stuck to them.Hedidn’t get involved with tourists or hotel guests.Hedidn’t do casual hookups.Hedidn’t even flirt much, usually.
ButHazel…God, he barely knew her, but something about her made him want to break his rules.Madehim want things he knew would only end badly.Hecouldn’t explain it.Allhe knew was that he wanted more of her.
“Doyou have plans tonight?” he asked, the words falling out of his mouth before he could stop himself.Avoice somewhere in the back of his head told him to stop, but a much louder one told him to go for it.Hecouldn’t deny that he was drawn to her.Thathe wanted to get to know her.
“Um…no?”
“Ihave a cider tasting to go to.FortheInn.Totallyfine if you’re not—”
“Sure.Yes.Iwant…”Shebit her lip and shook her head, swallowing whatever she’d been about to say. “Yes.Acider tasting sounds fun.”
“Great.Meetme down here at seven?” he asked.Hehadn’t been planning on going home to change, but now, obviously, he was going to.
“Uhhuh, yep.Seven.Sevenis good.”Shestarted to walk backwards towards the stairs, tripping over her own feet and righting herself quickly. “Seven!” she said and then dashed up the stairs.
Autumnemerged from the lounge, where she’d clearly been eavesdropping.Ofcourse she had.
“Whatabout tea and cookies?” she called up afterHazel.
