“Thanks for forgetting the bad part,” Braden said.
Shelly laughed. “You couldn’t possibly be bad and be married to this angel.”
“You’re right. Nobody’s worthy of this beauty, but I’m trying.”
Maddie’s smile seemed forced, and Braden made a mental note that being called an angel was a hot button.
Shelly handed over their keys. “Room 35. It’s a beautiful suite. A bit bigger than the last one you stayed in, Emmaline, but you know …” She gave them a wink and a smile that made Braden’s stomach soar with a hope he’d never felt. He wished he was married to Maddie and could take full advantage of a beautiful suite and being alone with her.
“Thank you, Shelly,” Maddie said.
Braden grabbed Maddie’s bag before she could. They said goodnight to Shelly and she went to rejoin the group in the commons area. Braden put his hand on Maddie’s back and escorted her up the steps. She said nothing as they climbed the many stairs and then walked down the wide third-floor hallway to the last room.
Maddie fitted the old-school key in, turned it, and pushed the door open. Braden dropped her bag inside the door and leaned in close, pinning her against the doorframe. She blinked up at him. She was so beautiful it took his breath away.
“Yes, husband?” she asked.
He had never thought about being a husband much. The thought of being Maddie’s husband made him feel like he might float away. “I should carry you across the threshold.”
Her gaze warmed up, and so did his body. It was easy to forget about any darkness he’d sensed in her when she looked at him like that.
She leaned up close and whispered in his ear, her breath tickling his sensitive earlobe, “Don’t get carried away in this charade or your left hand will match your right and you’ll be lying on the floor, passed out cold.”
The warmth fled as quick as it had come, but he’d play her game. “You talk so sweet to me, honey.” He brushed his lips along her temple and then slowly made his way down to her jawline.
“I’ll show you sweet.”
His muscles tensed, preparing for her to hit him. Instead, she grabbed his shirt and tugged, pulling him into the room and letting the door fall closed behind them.
He couldn’t resist wrapping his arms around her and gathering her close to his chest. She blinked up at him. Braden wanted to dip his head and kiss her. The air sparking between them was so hot he feared he’d combust.
“Don’t get any ideas about the married thing,” she said. Her face looked innocent and beautiful, but there was a warning in her blue eyes.
“Why did you say it then?” he challenged her, tightening his grip on her and daring her to break free, or break his other hand.
“Aunt Shelly’s very moral, and last time I stayed here, I was a believer. I didn’t want to deal with the questions of sleeping with a boyfriend.”
Braden’s arms slackened around her. “Youwerea believer?”
She yanked away from him, deadbolted the door, secured the old-style chain, and pulled her phone out, pushing a few buttons on it.
Wasa believer. She’d simply dropped her beliefs? Or were his fears warranted and something horrific had happened to her, causing her to lose faith in heaven’s love and help? His gut churned.
Dropping her purse on the table inside the door, she started talking. “Papa. We’re at Baguettes, Beds, and Breakfasts just north of Chicago. I’ve stayed here before. The owner is clear.”
Braden watched her pace and recount more of the night’s events to her grandfather. Maddie walked into the bathroom. He could see a large marble shower and a massive corner tub. She shut the door, not even glancing at him.
He looked around the room and noticed it was spacious, clean, and too fancy for his tastes, with heavy draperies, a huge four-poster bed complete with curtains, fancy chandeliers and lamps, and decorations everywhere. There was a kitchenette and dining table, along with a sitting area with a plush loveseat and easy chair.
His phone rang in his pocket. Oh. He hadn’t thought about his phone in a while. Should he have it with him? Could whoever had come after him be tracking it? He didn’t think so, as he always had it with him.
Pulling it out, a smile tugged at his lips. Isabelle. His little sister. It would be good to talk to her. He could let her know if somebody called claiming he was dead they were wrong. The military or police would probably contact his family in the morning. She could pass the word along to his parents so they didn’t worry needlessly.
He swiped his phone on. “Hi, sis.”
The door to the bathroom sprung open and Maddie shook her head violently at him and whispered harshly, “Don’t.”
“You’re alive,” Isabelle screamed, her voice hoarse as if she’d been sobbing. “Mama! He’s alive. The Navy was wrong!”