see how it is. You’ll share your steak without a thought, but when it comes to dessert, I’m on my own,” I said with a laugh.
He didn’t even look chagrinned when he replied, “I’ll get you another.”
“No, it’s okay,” I said. “I’ve had enough actually.”
We lingered over the last few sips of wine, but inevitably our dinner came to an end. A spark of excitement lit in my belly when Hadrian stood up from the bar and helped me from my seat. His hand rode the small of my back as he guided me to the exit. The pressure of his palm against my dress sent a gentle pulse of pleasure between my legs.
A black Rolls-Royce waited for us at the curb with a driver standing at the door ready to open it for us. I’d been impressed by the car that had driven me to dinner, but the Rolls took it to a whole new level.
Hadrian’s hand rested on my thigh, lazily stroking circles across my skin, but he remained silent as we drove. When we arrived back to The Rex, Hadrian helped me out of the car.
Much to my confusion and surprise, he didn’t take me to his hotel room. He escorted me to my suite, pressed my body to the door, and then kissed me so deeply that my thoughts scrambled, and my brain short-circuited.
Just as I grabbed the lapels of his suit jacket, he pulled away. He gazed down at me and smiled thoughtfully. “I have a business meeting before we fly out tomorrow. Meet me in the lobby at eight a.m. Good night, Eden.”
Chapter Sixteen
Second thoughts clawed at the back of my head. It was easy to silence them when I was in Hadrian’s orbit, but he’d left me alone in a plush hotel bed. Instead of sleeping, I thought about how he’d touched me and my response to him.
I couldn’t believe I’d met the man only a few days ago, and now I was about to fly to Shetland to spend six months with him.
Eventually I fell into a fitful sleep and woke up sometime around dawn. I dragged myself into the shower. Hot water sprayed me, but it wasn’t at all restorative.
I dried off quickly and went to the suitcase Elodie had packed and left for me while I was out to dinner with Hadrian. I dressed in a pair of pre-chosen dark jeans, a cozy gray turtleneck sweater, and black ankle boots. I blew out my hair so it fell in loose waves around my face, applied the barest of makeup, and then gathered my belongings.
I put my work cell phone into a brand-new black leather shoulder bag and wheeled my suitcase to the door. I took one last look around, not for anything I might’ve left—I didn’t own anything—but because it felt like I was finally closing the door on my past.
Strange, nonsensical thoughts continued to plague me as I stepped into the elevator. When the doors opened into the lobby after a short ride down, I forced a serene expression, hoping it would aid in calming the rapid beat of my heart.
Hadrian stood at a cream-colored couch with his phone to his ear as he stared at the exit. He wore a charcoal gray suit and his strawberry blond hair was styled off his forehead. A beam of sunlight streamed through the lobby windows, highlighting his strong, angular jaw.
A delicious shiver worked its way down my spine. A bead of warmth curled through my stomach.
His expression was stoic and gave me no insight into his thoughts. As I approached, I was able to hear the tail end of his conversation.
“Good, I knew you’d come to your senses,” he said. He hung up and then his head swiveled, his gaze meeting mine.
I nearly faltered, but I forced my pace to remain steady as I stalked toward him. When I was a few inches away from him, I stopped. My chest rose and fell quickly, and his eyes drank me in.
Did he know I was trying to breathe him in? I wanted to memorize his scent forever.
He removed his hands from his pockets so he could take my chin between his thumb and forefinger and study me.
“You didn’t sleep,” he stated.
I wasn’t sure if he expected a reply, but when he gently pinched my chin, I opened my mouth and said, “No, I didn’t sleep much.”
“What kept you up last night?”
I swallowed. “Thoughts of you.”
“Honest response. What kind of thoughts about me?”