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She really wished he’d aim a little lower and kiss her on the lips. He’d been nothing but a gentleman while she’d been working. But she wasn’t on the clock now, and tonight was their last night at the hotel before they had to head back to Sweet Ridge and the arrangements for the festival. Life was going to be crazy, and the chances of her spending time with Tate without a million prying eyes was going to be very slim.

“What do you want to do for dinner?” she asked. “Do you want to go out somewhere? Or go to the restaurant in the hotel?”

What she really wanted to do was order room service. Now that she’d stopped, the late night and busy day was catching up to her.

“Nah, I think we’ll stay in and order room service.”

“Did you read my mind?”

Tate laughed and again the sound did jittery things to her insides. “I can tell you’re exhausted, Kel. I plan to pamper you tonight. Don’t you worry about anything. I have it all worked out.” He disappeared into the bathroom, and she heard the sound of water running.

“Now this is something I could get used to,” she murmured and closed her eyes, tiredness pervading every part of her.

I shouldn’t get used to this. Shouldn’t get used to being pampered.

But why shouldn’t she get used to it? Wasn’t this what she wanted? To be number one in someone’s life. Right this second, Tate was putting her needs above his, and she felt cherished. And, did she even dare voice her inner thought?

Loved.

She felt loved by Tate, but that was impossible. He couldn’t love her. They hadn’t spent a lot of time with each other, and even though last night had been amazing, mistaking chemistry and wild, hot sex as happily ever after could be so dangerous. Too many women had succumbed and found out that their prince wasn’t a prince after all, but the villain.

Was Tate a villain?

Again, she dismissed the thought. Anyone who did what Tate did when his father had his stroke wasn’t a villain.

God, why was she thinking so much? Hadn’t she decided to just go with the flow and see what happened between her and Tate?

Falling for Tate hadn’t been part of the plan, though. Today, he’d silently worked beside her. Taken her instructions and followed through on them correctly. Got her drinks before she even asked for them. He’d worked his way past the barrier around her heart, the one she’d erected after Edwin had hurt her. All without her knowing.

A brush of fingers down her cheek startled her. She blinked a couple of times before her vision narrowed in on Tate squatting beside her chair. A sweet smile on his face and a look of such caring in his eyes it took her breath away. “Hey,” she said.

“Hey yourself, your bath is ready.”

She recalled the water running when he disappeared into the bathroom but the idea that he was drawing a bath for her hadn’t even entered her consciousness. “You drew a bath for me?”

“Yep. You looked like you needed one after today.” He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to the top of it. Such an old-fashioned, gentlemanly action that her heart stilled for a couple of moments before kick-starting again.

“Thank you. No one has ever done that for me.”

Tate rose effortlessly from his squat, and because he still had her hand, he tugged her up. He secured her closely to his side and led her toward the bathroom. “Well, I’m glad I can be the first.”

The aroma of jasmine filled the air as they entered the room. Gentle swirls of steam rose from the foam laden bathtub. “Tate, it looks wonderful. I can’t wait to sink into it. You’ll never get me out.”

“That’s a good plan, although I’m not sure you turning into a prune would be a good thing. But I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.” He gave her a gentle push toward the tub. “Go and soak. I’ll order dinner. Do you want anything in particular? Like a burger or steak or salad.”

Food was the last thing on her mind, and she really didn’t care. All she wanted was to get in the bath. “Anything is fine.”

“Okay. But if you don’t like what I order, just remember what you said.”

Kelly laughed. “Noted.”

Tate shut the door behind him. Kelly stood looking at the white door for a few moments, wondering how the hell she’d gotten so lucky.

*

Tate leaned upagainst the bathroom door and blew out a breath. The temptation to suggest to Kelly that he join her had kept him company as he filled the tub. He’d been ready to put his thoughts into action, but he’d found her in the chair, her eyes closed, her hair falling out of the updo she’d had it in while she worked, and he’d known that he would put aside his needs and desires and concentrate only on Kelly and what she needed.

Through the door he heard her moan of delight and pictured her up to her neck in water and bubbles. The image made his dick jump against the zipper of his pants. All day he’d been semi-hard around her. The way she moved from table to table, her hands adjusting the arrangements had been lyrical and effortless. The fine sheen of moisture on her forehead suggested it wasn’t easy, but she’d made it look that way. He’d been in total awe of her.