The Maverick's Bridal Bargain by Christy Jeffries

Author:Christy Jeffries
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-03-09T13:44:14+00:00

Chapter Ten

Vivienne’s speeding thoughts shot into overdrive as she’d ridden in the elevator alone, her pulse hammering with every step she took as she made her way down the empty, carpeted corridor to her room.

Their room.

Steeling herself, she took a deep breath and slid in her key card. As she dragged her suitcase on wheels behind her, the handle caught on the interior doorknob, knocking the do-not-disturb sign to the floor. She quickly scooped it up, a mortified giggle bubbling inside her throat at the thought of how unnecessary that placard would be tonight.

Light spilled out from under the crack of the closed bathroom door and Vivienne tried not to think about what the sound of running water meant. Staring at the two queen-size beds, she scolded herself for overthinking the situation.

The bags containing all their freebies from the day were lined up on the fluffy white coverlet of the first bed, so Vivienne lifted her suitcase and set it on the second one. Looking at the television, she decided that having on a sports or a news channel, even if it was only background noise, would make things feel less intimate. She grabbed the remote control and hit the power button but only got as far as the hotel’s main channel displaying a welcome screen and classical music.

When she heard the bathroom door click open, she stood motionless.

“Hey, you’re back,” Cole said, relief evident in his tone. “I figured if you weren’t here when I got out of the shower, I’d have to launch a search party.”

“I went to the parking garage to get my suitcase.” Her fingers trembled as she fought to stare at the remote control so that she wouldn’t look at him. But the smell of lemon soap drifted closer and Cole’s nearby voice forced her to raise her eyes.

“Is the TV not working?”

Vivienne’s gaze slammed into him and she couldn’t blink. He was wearing the same jeans he’d had on today—minus the belt—and not much else. His hair was scarcely towel dried and his bare torso was still damp from his shower.

Desire coiled in her belly and she would’ve opened another bottle of champagne if she thought it would alleviate her sudden thirst. Vivienne licked her lips, knowing that imbibing in too much sparkling wine was what had gotten her into this situation in the first place. Instructing herself to look anywhere but at the muscular ridges of his chest, she glanced down.

“You have nice feet.”

He wiggled his toes in the plush carpet. “What?”

“Your feet. They’re nice. I’ve never noticed them before because I’ve only seen you in boots.”

Several seconds passed before she felt Cole’s finger on her chin, lifting her head up to look into his face. “You’re going to give me a complex about them if you keep staring.”

“Sorry.” She straightened her shoulders despite the quivering sensation making its way down her spine, but she didn’t pull her head away. Vivienne searched the smoothness of his forehead, the lack of lines implying that he wasn’t as confused about their situation as she was.

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