“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.”
Chapter 26
Owen
I walk past the bathroom and lower Mira into a seated position on the bed. She immediately falls backward and lands on the pillow, her beautiful hair forming a halo around her face. She closes her eyes and begins to drift off to sleep.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” I warn her, adding a few pillows behind her head to prop her up. “I’m not done with you yet.”
I know how tired she is, but if she falls asleep now, she’ll miss everything I have planned for her. She deserves a night of pampering, and I’m going to make sure that she gets it.
But considering how tired she is, I think I’m going to need to call for backup. I pick up the phone and press the button to page the front desk.
“Can you send someone from housekeeping up here?” I ask the operator.
“Right away, sir. You’re in the honeymoon suite, correct?”
“That’s right,” I confirm. I hang up the phone and turn to look at Mira, who still looks a little sleepy but is at least making an effort to keep her eyes open. “Now let’s get you out of these clothes.”
I start with her shoes, sliding them off her feet and letting them fall softly to the floor. Next, I take off her skirt, revealing her smooth legs and a pair of soft lace panties in pale pink.
Button by button, I open her blouse, letting it fall open to reveal the delicate lace bralette underneath.
She’s so fucking beautiful that I have to stop undressing her for a moment to catch my breath. She’s perfect from head to toe, and it takes all the willpower I have not to climb into bed with her and pretend it’s our wedding night.
When the maid appears at the door, Mira is still spread out on the bed, wearing nothing but her undergarments. Following my gaze, the maid peeks around the corner and sees Mira in all her glory. Her hand shoots up to her face to hide her smile.