He put his other hand on her face so that she was cupped in his palms like a precious chalice. Then he leaned forward and kissed her. Her lips were cold but the inside of her mouth was soft and warm, and his body responded to the sweetness of the kiss.
Staying in the same room with her, in the same bed, would be torture. But one he was willing to undergo if it meant a few stolen kisses and the feel of her in his arms.
He ended the kiss and sat back on his heels, stunned by the sudden realization.
It wasn’t just wanting her. It was about intimacy, and connection, and something far more substantial than a night in a hotel room.
It scared him half to death, and for a moment he considered calling the pilot and going back today anyway.
And then he looked at her shining eyes and left his phone in his pocket.
After their walk, they took a shower—separately. Neither had a change of clothes, but there were plush robes in the closet and they put those on instead. Cole tried to ignore the soft aloe scent of her damp hair, freshly washed with the hotel-supplied toiletries, but he wasn’t having much luck. It seemed as if everything about her assaulted his senses. The fresh scent of her post-shower, her hair, darker when wet, and curling around her shoulders. If he touched her, it would be game over for him. The white robe, her skin, still pink from the hot water in the shower... If he touched her, would she make that little sound of pleasure like she had the night on the beach?
He busied himself with the menu again and they chose dinner items. He was pleased to see the inspired offerings on the dinner menu. Maple ginger salmon was paired with a sweet potato and bulgur dish as well as miso-roasted Brussels sprouts, and he ordered a bottle of Riesling to go with it. When dinner came, the wait staff set it up on the table in the seating area. Cole looked over at Brooklyn, who was watching the whole thing with wide eyes. He wondered if she’d ever had room service before today. If she had slipped into a hotel robe or enjoyed the finer things that she so obviously deserved.
He tipped the staff generously and then turned to Brooklyn. “Shall we?”
She giggled a little. “Oh, Cole! They saw us in our robes. Do you suppose they think that we...? Oh, my.”
He chuckled. “So what if they did? I’m pretty sure it’s not the first time. Come on, let’s eat. This smells incredible. Tori was right. This inn is a hidden gem. What a gorgeous place.”
She stepped forward then, and he lifted the dome off the plated meal. The colors, presentation, aroma...his stomach growled in response. Then he held her chair for her until she sat down. Just because they were in a hotel room didn’t mean he’d lost his manners.
“Tori used to work here, right?”
Cole took his seat. “Yes, that’s right. It’s how she and Jeremy met.”
Fork in hand, Brooklyn met his gaze. “I’d think your speed is more like...the Plaza. Or what’s the other one in New York? The Waldorf Astoria.”
She was so adorable. He wished he could take her there. Maybe he could. He had to go back to Manhattan soon; he couldn’t avoid the Abbott offices forever. What if she went with him for a taste of the Big Apple?
“You’ve never been to New York, have you?”
She shook her head. “I’ve never been much of anywhere.” She popped half of a sprout into her mouth and closed her eyes. “Oh, wow. I don’t even really like Brussels sprouts and this is delicious. Not bitter at all.”
He tried one, as well, and flavor exploded on his tongue. “You know,” he said, after he’d swallowed the bite, “I’m really no different in New York than I am here. Maybe more relaxed, I suppose, but the same person. I don’t go through a personality change.”
She nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. Still, this isn’t the life you’re used to.”
“Maybe it’s better.”
Where had that thought come from?
She laughed. “Do you really think so? It’s a different lifestyle here. Slower, yes, but don’t you miss, I don’t know, theater and restaurants and...whatever it is you usually do?”
“You mean work in my office until nine p.m.? Hate to break it to you, Brooklyn, but last night, playing cards and having a few drinks? I don’t remember when I last had that much fun.”
He lifted his glass. “So why don’t we toast? To simpler lives and happier times.”
She raised her glass and touched the rim to his, her eyes glowing in the mellow light from the nearby lamp. They each took a sip.
“And to Marvin,” she added.
He grinned. “Of course.” They drank again. “And to making the best of a bad situation,” he finished. “Because a private dinner for two is a heck of a nice way to spend the day after a hurricane.”
“Cole...”
“Eat,” he said softly. “Honestly, I don’t care if we watch a movie and raid the snacks in the minibar. I’m just happy to be spending the evening with you, Brooklyn.”