Page 20 of Only Ever Yours

Chapter Nineteen

Hollis

“You’re all dressed up for a night out,” commented Finn as I entered the living room, carrying an overnight bag, a clutch tucked under my arm.

“I haven’t seen Kim in ages. We’re going out for dinner, then staying over at a spa hotel and getting a few treatments tomorrow.

” Nerves bubbled in my stomach as the lie slipped easily from my lips.

Inventing a Friday night out with one of my old friends from London was the perfect cover story.

In reality, Jase and I were going out; well, we were going to a hotel for the night.

Whether we made it out of the room was another story.

I hadn’t even told Ella what we were really doing, for fear that somehow it would get back to my brother.

Jase barely looked up from his phone, pretending to be engrossed in whatever messaging conversation he was invested in. “Have a good night,” he mumbled.

“What are you two up to?” I asked.

Finn looked at his friend. “Dunno. You fancy going out for a few beers?”

“Might go out and meet Felicity,” Jase replied .

I wrinkled my nose. Although we’d agreed that would also work as something Finn wouldn’t question, I still didn’t like the thought of using her as our alibi.

“Really?” Finn’s eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t think you’d seen her in ages.”

“I haven’t.”

“Okay, well, far be it from me to stand in the way of true love.” Finn got up and went towards the kitchen. “I’ll see if Liam fancies it instead.”

Once he was out of the room, Jase finally looked up, his eyes darkening as he swept his gaze over me.

I wore a dark green lace dress, with a keyhole neckline, which clung to my body and finished at the knee.

Teamed with a pair of black heels, it was very different to what I wore on a day-to-day basis.

My hair was pulled into a messy updo, with tendrils framing my face.

“Fuck.” He hissed. “You really expect me not to want to rip that thing off your body and devour every inch of you?”

I squeezed my thighs together, his words combined with his intense scrutiny already making me wet. I could sense he was itching to get up and come towards me, but it would be way too risky. “Not here.”

“Obviously. It doesn’t stop me thinking about it, though.” He jabbed a finger at his temple. “Which is all I’ve been doing the past few days.”

“Soon you won’t have to.” And it will be a reality, I added silently.

Finn came back into the room, a can of beer in one hand. “You two still here? Looks like I’ll be out before both of you. Liam’s going to come over in twenty minutes.”

My phone vibrated with a message, and I glanced down at the screen. “My taxi’s here. I’ll see you guys sometime tomorrow. ”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” teased Finn while Jase growled at his comment.

Without a backwards glance, I headed out of the house and got into the taxi. Within seconds, I had another message.

Jase

Don’t expect to get any sleep tonight xx

A smile crossed my face, which didn’t go unnoticed by the driver.

“Hot date tonight, love?”

“You could say that.”

It didn’t take us long to get to The Rosegate, a recently renovated, luxury hotel on the outskirts of Maplebrook.

Again, we’d chosen it deliberately in the likelihood we wouldn’t bump into anyone we knew.

It had a restaurant and the spa I’d told Finn about, but I doubted Jase and I would get to spend much time in the latter.

I went inside, marvelling at the vaulted ceilings and elaborate interior.

It had previously been a Shire Hall for the county, and the renovation work had been completed to a ridiculously high standard.

For a moment, I felt like I didn’t belong there, a feeling that intensified as I approached the reception desk.

The receptionist, a perfectly made-up blonde in a smart, tailored jacket, gave me an almost robotic smile.

“Good evening, how can I help?”

“I, we, um, have a room booked.” Suddenly overcome with nerves, I could barely string a sentence together. This is really happening.

“Of course, what’s the name on the booking?”

“It’s Dillon.” Jase had made the reservation and insisted on paying. When I’d tried to pay half, he insisted it wasn’t romantic, and it would be his treat. Eventually, I’d given up arguing with him. I was sure I could think of a way to repay him.

“Jason Dillon?” I didn’t miss the once-over the receptionist gave me, making me feel even less like I belonged there.

“That’s right. He’s my…” Once again, I ground to a halt, unsure how to describe what was going on between me and Jase.

We hadn’t placed any kind of label on it yet even though we both knew neither of us was planning on seeing other people anymore.

Seeing a frown flit across her face—what business was it of hers anyway?

—I straightened my shoulders. “He’s my boyfriend.

It’s a treat for our anniversary.” Inwardly, I giggled.

Who even celebrated a week’s anniversary anyway?

“Of course.” The receptionist visibly softened.

“And what a lovely thing to do.” She tapped on her keyboard, then pulled a keycard from a drawer beside her, swiping it through the machine on the desk.

“There you go. It’s room one-four-two on the second floor.

If you take the lift, it’s to the right. ”

I followed her directions to the glass lift shaft that appeared to run the full height of the building, admiring the artwork on the way. The last time I’d been anywhere like this, I’d been with Gil.

Fuck.

Where did that thought spring up from?

I’m about to spend the night with Jase for the first time, and the person who pops into my head is my crazy stalker ex?

I’m putting it down to first-night jitters.

I easily found our room, an understated sign to the left of the door showing the number.

Waving the keycard over the lock, it clicked open, and I entered.

Almost immediately, I gasped. The room was stunning, decorated in a pale blue, which could have been considered cold, but in reality, seemed calming.

The curtains and bedspread were in a darker, almost navy-blue colour, which accented the cooler shade well.

A huge super-king-sized bed dominated one side of the room, with a dressing table opposite and to one side.

The windows were floor-to-ceiling with blinds to give a little privacy and had a view out over the park.

I couldn’t believe Jase had found something so beautiful.

Dropping my bag on the floor, I pulled my phone from my clutch and took a quick video before sending it to Jase.

Oh my God, this room is gorgeous. THANK YOU! xxx

When I didn’t get a response straight away, I didn’t worry.

Jase was probably on his way and wasn’t looking at his phone.

At a loose end while I waited, I unpacked the overnight bag.

I had smart clothes for Jase in there, so he could keep up the pretence of seeing Felicity without having to take anything with him.

Taking the toiletries into the bathroom, my jaw dropped again.

The most massive shower-slash-wet room greeted me, decorated in what looked like Italian marble tiles, with two sinks and a partition for the toilet.

No wonder Jase had kept the price of this place from me.

After I’d finished unpacking and hung the clothes in the wardrobe, I explored the rest of the room and, eventually, found the minibar. Taking a small bottle of Prosecco from the fridge, I poured it and took a selfie in front of the window before firing it off to Jase.

You’d better hurry up or I’ll be drunk before you get here xxx

Perching on the end of the bed, I switched on the TV, turning to a magazine programme with the sound down low, so I could hear my phone, and sipped my drink. After twenty minutes, there was still no sign of Jase. I frowned.

Are you nearly here yet? Our dinner reservation is at half-past xxx

Half-past came and went and still nothing. Not a message or a call or anything that told me where Jase was. My heart started pounding uncomfortably in my chest. The emotional side of my heart fought with the rational side of my brain.

What if he’s changed his mind?

What if he thinks this is all too much?

Maybe his taxi is stuck in traffic…

Maybe there’s been an emergency…

An unexpected tear slid down my cheek, and I swiped it away, swallowing hard. I had to face up to the fact that maybe Jase and I weren’t meant to be. Even as I tried to compose myself, another tear fell.

Where was he?

Downing the rest of my glass of Prosecco, the tears started to fall freely. How could I get so upset over something that hadn’t even happened?

A knock on the door brought me out of my reverie. Grabbing a tissue from the dispenser on the dressing table, I dabbed at my face and blew my nose before I went to answer it.

“Who is it?”

“Hollis, it’s me. I’m so sorry I’m late.”