Page 27

He slipped the phone into his pocket. “Can I hold your hand as we go inside?” he asked.

She didn’t need him to tell her it would help sell their lie. It would be strange to have two people suddenly get married without anyone spotting a single moment of affection. Suddenly she wanted nothing more than to walk hand in hand with Rhett into the famous resort the Ellingtons had lovingly restored a few years ago.

“Yes.” Barely a whisper. “Yes,” she repeated more firmly, adding a smile.

He climbed out of the car, paused to get her suitcase from the trunk, and then opened her door. Standing there, he once again extended his hand, allowing her to complete the connection.

She wondered if he had deliberately made it easier for her by beginning the gesture at the point where she might like his support to get out of the car.

His hold was relaxed. Comforting. And still she felt the spark of his touch all the way to her toes as they walked into the building.

The doors parted on a whisper and they were suddenly surrounded by the grandeur of the lobby.

Even with the lights set lower for the late hour, the space was gorgeous. A soothing tropical ease was her first impression.Ceiling fans shaped like wide palm leaves stirred the air and lush, live greenery softened the necessary angles, breaking up the gathering areas and loosely framing a path to the front desk.

“Welcome back, Mr. Ellington!” A young man at the front desk beamed at them.

“Thanks, Dean. It’s good to be home,” Rhett replied. “Dean, this is Trina Bollani, my fiancée.”

To his credit, Dean didn’t blink or miss a beat. “Congratulations to you both. Welcome to the Cove, Ms. Bollani.”

“Please, call me Trina. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She gave Dean bonus points for his calm reaction. In the back of her mind, she wondered if Jacob would be as smooth when she broke the news to her staff.

“I’ll make the full announcement tomorrow at the staff meeting,” Rhett explained.

Dean straightened and his expression turned quite serious. “I’ll hold it as an honored secret until then, sir.”

Rhett chuckled. “Thanks, man.”

“Let us know if you need anything,” he called softly as they walked on.

Rhett guided her down the hall toward the main elevators. They rode up a couple of floors and then got off. He turned down another hallway and tapped a card to a security panel near a discreet service door.

“Will I be able to get in and out without you?” She’d made a mental note of the route, though that wouldn’t help if the card failed her.

“I’ll have a card ready for you in the morning. It’s a few extra steps and I didn’t want to bother Dean with it tonight. He’s never done one before.” Rhett smiled. “There’s never been a need until now.”

At the end of a service hallway that was pleasant, but not decorated like the front-facing areas, he tapped his card onemore time to unlock what appeared to be a normal hotel room door. He pushed open the door and she followed him inside. His scent surrounded her, drawing her deeper into his residence.

When the door closed he threw the deadbolt. “Just one lock. But there’s no threat of anyone stumbling upon our door.”

She appreciated his assurance, even though it embarrassed her to need it so much. “How long have you lived here?”

“Two years now.” He wheeled her suitcase through the living area and past the kitchen, toward what must be the bedroom door. “Please, make yourself at home. I’ll grab a couple of things and hit the couch. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

She froze in the doorway, staring at the gorgeous, four-poster, king size bed. A familiar, unwelcome rush of nerves chilled her skin. As much as she wanted to be one of those confident women who could suggest they share the bed platonically, she wasn’t ready for that. “Thank you.”

“Do you need anything? I’ve got an inside line on high-end toiletries.”

This man. She chuckled. “No, I’ll be fine.”

She stood there feeling awkward as he gathered the things he needed. Lastly, he took a pillow from one side of the bed and wished her a good night.

“Good night,” she said, a beat too late. He’d already closed the door.

After checking to make sure there were no messages from Jacob, she quickly got ready for bed. Sliding under the covers, it was obvious he’d asked the room to be serviced. The linens were clean, the bed freshly made. And yet the room itself still carried an unmistakable hint of Rhett’s masculine scent.

It was simultaneously wonderful and terrifying. He wasthe last person she would expect to come to her aid, but she couldn’t have asked for a more thoughtful friend.