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Neither one said anything as they walked toward the elevator bank. Kelly’s heart rate was beginning to get back to normal, and the adrenaline that had been pumping through her was tapering off.

Tate stabbed at the button; clearly, he needed a few more minutes for him to calm down a little bit. The wait wasn’t long and Tate stood to the side, allowing her to precede him into the empty car.

“Are you okay?” he asked as the doors slid closed.

“I’m fine. How about you?”

Tate blew out a breath and lifted his head, gazing at the ceiling. “I don’t know. I just wanted to, shit…” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Who was that guy?”

That was the last question she wanted to answer, but it was the most logical one for him to ask. “That was Edwin Lines, my ex. I was seeing him before I moved down to Sweet Ridge permanently.”

His eyes widened in surprise. “You dated that jerk?”

“Yes, I did.” The doors opened on their floor, and Kelly stepped out without waiting to hear Tate’s response. As if his dating life was perfect. Tate had left a string of women in his wake. He had no right to judge her past.

God, she wished she could go back thirty minutes and not run into Edwin at the bar. Then, instead of being on the verge of an argument, she and Tate could’ve been sitting at a cozy table, knees rubbing together as they flirted with each other.

She fumbled with her keycard, and an arm reached over her shoulder, inserting the plastic rectangle into the slot. The lock disengaged and Tate pushed open the door. She ducked under his arm and strode into their room, tossing her purse on the bed.

Why was she getting so upset? It was true Edwin was a jerk, but it hurt that Tate seemed amazed that she once dated him.

The Edwin on display tonight was a completely different one to the Edwin she’d worked with and dated. He was also different to the Edwin who confirmed he was indeed married and the lifestyle he wanted. A lifestyle he hoped she’d be a part of. The second he’d finished speaking she’d dumped his ass and walked out. She had no issues with polyamorous relationships, but it wasn’t one she wanted to be part of. Edwin had kept his true life a secret and it burned how easily she’d been sucked into his charming web. The Edwin blinders had been ripped off, and she was glad they had been.

The last thing she wanted to do, though, was let the asshole spoil her weekend with Tate. This weekend marked a turning point in their relationship. She didn’t want Edwin or his toxic actions anywhere near the two of them.

She had to let her irrational anger at Tate’s comment go. “This wasn’t how I wanted our weekend together to start,” she said quietly. “I had imagined our evening being different.”

Kelly started when Tate’s large hands landed on her shoulders. He applied pressure and she turned from staring at the curtains to look at him.

“I’m sorry, Kel.” He cupped her cheek, his touch light but comforting. “I shouldn’t have said what I did. It’s not my place to judge who you dated in the past. Can’t say some of the women I dated were stellar decisions.”

Considering the reputation Tate had around town, she could believe that. “We all have a past, there’s no denying it. What we’ve been through on that journey has shaped us to being who we are now. Edwin used me and he hurt me. He lied the whole—” Two fingers pressed against her lips.

“I don’t need to know about him, Kel. He lost out, and I won because I have you here with me. All I want is to start the night over. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He pressed his lips against her forehead and then walked out of the room.

Yes, she’d like to start the night over. Picking up her purse from the bed, she placed it on top of the dresser. She might as well check her appearance while waiting for Tate to return.

In the bathroom, she ran a brush through her hair, touched up her makeup and instead of putting on more lipstick she settled for a light pink gloss.

Wandering back into the main part of the suite, she fluffed pillows that didn’t need fluffing and, for once, was grateful that there were minimal lights in hotel rooms.

Should she sit on the bed or one of the armchairs close to the window?

Open the curtains or keep them closed?

Closed. They might be thirty floors up, but there was still the chance that people could be cleaning the building opposite the hotel and be able to see into their room.

The door opened and thoughts of curtains and buildings and cleaners flew out of her mind. Kelly held her breath, waiting to see what Tate was up to. He walked in with an ice bucket that had a bottle sticking out of it in one hand, and in the other he held two champagne flutes.

Her heart rate inched up with every step he took, closing the distance between them.

“Hey, Kel. It’s good to see you.”

“Tate, glad you made it here safely.”

Tate placed the glasses and ice bucket on the coffee table near where she was standing and then placed his hands on her waist, exactly the same way as he’d done in the bar.

“You look beautiful.”