“It’s mentioned in the letters,” she told him, dragging her fingers along his shoulder even as she slipped out of his arms. She seemed to recall seeing a second library off his bedroom wing. “Where are the other libraries in the house?”
Hunter seemed to stiffen. “There’s no secret passage.”
“There is,” she insisted, pulling the letter out and pointing at it. “I swear I’m not lying. They go on and on about it in the letters. I thought it would be terrific to see. We could take pictures of it and add some excitement and reality to the book.”
His mouth thinned. “There’s no secret passage.”
“Of course there is. Just look at this.”
He wouldn’t look at the letter. Puzzled, Gretchen pushed it in front of his face. He pushed it aside again and gave her an annoyed look.
“Wow, what’s crawled into your panties?”
“Nothing.” He rubbed his face. “I’m just tired.”
“Then will you quit acting like I’m bothering you?” She held the letter out to him again, her expression daring him to take it. “I don’t know what the big deal is.”
His expression was immediately contrite. He pulled her into his arms, rubbing his hands on her back. “You never bother me,” he said huskily. “My day is better every time I see your face.”
She leaned in and gave him a light kiss, brushing her fingers over his scarred cheek. “Then help me find this secret passage.”
He took the letter from her and scanned it. “The house underwent many renovations over the last fifty years. The main library was destroyed. If there was a secret room, it’s there no longer.” He folded the letter carefully and held it back out to her, his face impassive. “I’m sorry. I know it’s disappointing.”
“Oh.” Gretchen couldn’t quite hide her regret. “That’s a shame. I was hoping to see it. I’m sorry to have bothered you, then.”
As she turned away, he grasped her arm, forcing her to turn back around. “Gretchen, you are never a bother. I’m just distracted.”
“By what?”
“Work . . . and you.”
She gave a mock-hurt sniff. “Well, if I’m bothering you, I’ll just go.”
He snagged her around the waist as she turned to leave. “No you don’t. Now that you have my attention, you’re not going anywhere.”
“Is that so?”
“It is.” His hands went to her shirt and began to tug it upward. “I can’t help myself. You look ravishing.”
She snorted. “I’m wearing a T-shirt and yoga pants.”
“You always do.”
“Now is that some slight upon my wardrobe choices?”
“No, that’s me telling you that I find you impossible to resist every time I see you.” There was the slightest hint of color to his face, and each word was said precisely, as if flirting came hard won to him.
But he was doing it for her.
She found that enchanting. Her heart melted into a little puddle of goo and she smiled at him, her hand going to his tie. She put the letter down on a nearby table and moved into his arms. “So there’s no more secret passage?”
“Nope.”
“Then it seems like I came in here for nothing,” she said lightly.
“Not for nothing,” he murmured. “I think I have something to show you.”
“Oh?”