Chapter 25

Owen

I carefully place Mira in the back of the limo, allowing her to stretch her legs across the back seat. Not wanting to be tempted by her any more than I already am, I take one of the side seats next to her and buckle myself in.

I watch her start to drift off again for a moment, gently stroking her hair and wondering what she’s dreaming about. She looks so peaceful there, lying motionless while passing street lamps send beams of light dancing across her face.

“Sir? Where to next?” The driver’s voice cuts in through the backseat speaker, interrupting my thoughts, but he’s speaking so softly that my pretty little passenger doesn’t even stir.

We can’t go back to my place. Lis Langley has been camped out there so long she probably has squatter’s rights by now. I once caught her fighting a raccoon for my trash bags.

I consider telling the driver to take us back to Mira’s place instead, but I can’t bring myself to do it. While I’m sure she’d like to sleep in her own bed at some point, I’m not quite ready to let her go.

She’s had a rough night. Someone has to take care of her.

In front of us, the light turns red. As we wait at the intersection, my eyes wander across the street to the Metropolitan Hideaway.

It’s one of the most exclusive hotels in the city. From the road, it looks like a private mansion. Hidden behind a row of sculpted green hedges, the stately art deco building stands ten stories high and has no signs to welcome visitors.

But I’m no ordinary visitor. I have a membership there, and I know this hotel will make room for us.

“Just drop us off right in front,” I tell my driver.

“At the Hideaway? You haven’t been here since—”

“I know,” I cut him off.

A few of my most notorious business deals have started at the hotel bar and ended in the penthouse suite, but that’s not what this is. Tonight, I’m just trying to make sure Mira is comfortable and safe.

We pull up to the circular driveway and stop in front of the entrance to the lobby.

“Mira, honey.” I gently shake her awake.

She opens her eyes and blinks, smiling at me sweetly. My heart skips a beat. Is this what it would be like to wake up to her every morning?

“Where are we?” Mira stretches and looks out the window, where the lobby is only a few steps away. “Is this a hotel?”

“Not just any hotel,” I correct her. “It’s a members-only hotel where you can get some rest without anyone bothering you.” I give her a wink. “Except for me, of course.”

“I thought we weren’t taking things any further,” she protests, but when I drape my arm around her to hold her up, she nuzzles my shoulder and lets me lead her to the front desk.

The lobby is even more beautiful than I remember it. Marble columns line the foyer, where thick rugs cushion our path along the gleaming mahogany floors. Above our heads, crystal chandeliers dangle from ornate pressed-tin ceilings.

When we reach the front desk, we’re the only two people in the lobby. An old-fashioned brass bell sits on top of a spotless marble counter. I ring the bell for service, and the desk clerk appears from the back office.

He smiles as if he’s been expecting us. “Good evening. Welcome to the Metropolitan Hideaway. Are you checking in?”

“I don’t have a reservation,” I explain, pulling out my membership card, “but I was hoping you might have a room available. It’ll just be for tonight.”

“Of course, Mr. Westbrook,” the desk clerk replies after reading the name on my card. “Let me see what I can find for you.” He looks down for a moment, types something into his computer, and nods.

He looks at Mira, who is yawning next to me, about to fall asleep on my shoulder. “Is she your…girlfriend?”

“Ah…” I struggle to find the words. I didn’t think I’d have to explain the nature of my relationship with Mira to a hotel employee. And there’s no way in hell I’m telling him she’s my step-niece.

The desk clerk must be able to sense my apprehension. “I’m asking because the only room we have left available is the honeymoon suite,” he explains.

Mira wakes up and pats me on the cheek. “I’m his wife, actually,” she answers for us. “We’re newlyweds. Where is this honeymoon suite?”

“It’s on the tenth floor. We had a last-minute cancellation, so it’s already made up for you. You’ll need to take a private elevator to the top of the building. I can give you the key.”

A private elevator sounds perfect. That means we’ll also have the floor to ourselves, and no one will be allowed to follow us up there.

“We’ll take it,” I agree. “Charge it to my account.”

The desk clerk hands me the key, and I walk Mira to the elevator. When the two doors part, I hold them open with my hand. “After you.”

Mira steps into the elevator, and when I follow her, she turns around and raises an eyebrow at me. “Oh, you’re coming with me now?”

She’s just teasing me. I hope.

“I most certainly am.” I push the button to close the door and plant myself against the wall before she can try to kick me out. “I can’t go back to my place without dealing with Lis Langley again, so it looks like you’re stuck with me.”

The elevator begins its ascent. As the floor numbers light up in front of us, I pull Mira toward me, holding her against my chest until she finally gives in and rests her head on my shoulder.

I whisper in her ear, “Someone needs to take care of you if you’re not going to take care of yourself.”

We reach the top floor, and the doors spring open. Mira and I follow the narrow hallway to the entrance of our room. I pass our key card in front of the sensor until it turns green and makes a beeping sound.

Propping the door open with my foot, I reach behind Mira’s legs to lift her up. Then I carry her across through the threshold like I’m really a groom and she’s really my bride. It makes my chest tighten in an unfamiliar way.

She feels so light and soft in my arms. I know I have to put her down, but I don’t want to just yet. I look around at the glowing fireplace, the king-size bed with soft satin sheets, and the bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket next to the breakfast table.

The desk clerk wasn’t kidding when he said the room was already made up. It’s not the first time Mira and I have shared a honeymoon suite, but it is the first time we’ve had one all to ourselves. I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.

Mira must be thinking the same thing. Once we’re in the room with the door closed, she leans in to kiss me. I’m tempted to give in and consummate our pretend marriage right here and now, but I know it’ll be better if we wait.

Glancing to my left, I see the open bathroom door. Inside is a beautiful soaking tub with a sachet of artisanal bubble bath resting on the rim.

I stop Mira’s lips with my finger.

“Not yet,” I tell her. I have big plans for her, and I’ve just thought of something that will make this night unforgettable for both of us. “You’re having a bath first.”

“But I’m not dirty,” she argues.

I chuckle and shake my head. “Oh, Mira. You know that’s not true.” I lead her into the bathroom and turn on the lights.

Mira looks around, and her eyes light up when she spots the bouquet of bath products greeting her from the vanity table. But she pretends not to care. “What will you give me if I say yes?”

I can give her everything she’s ever dreamed of and more. And I will. But first, I want to savor every moment of our night together.

And as long as I’m making her wait for it, I might as well give her something to look forward to.

“If you’re good, I’ll give you one kiss,” I promise her. “Maybe.”