Page 53 of Bride Under Contract

‘Carter, no!’

She pointed to her attire, thought of her hair, but he was already walking towards the elevators. Even the doors parted to his instant command, and she stepped into the dimly lit space.

‘I’m hardly dressed for a bar.’

‘I’m not waiting in Reception.’

‘It’s dark in here,’ she commented, looking around.

‘Subtle.’ He smiled. ‘The corridors are the same—hell when you’ve had a drink.’

He made the whole thing a little easier, somehow, although as they stepped into a gorgeous dimly lit corridor she tried not to think of Carter and the glamorous beauties who had surely walked this luxurious path with him before.

‘Mr Bennett.’ He was welcomed with a smile by the greeter. ‘Madam.’

They were led outside to some high tables set with pretty lights, where beautiful people were sipping cocktails, enjoying the balmy night. His entrance did not go unnoticed. For the first time in her life Grace felt heads turn as she walked by, and certainly they were for Carter. But then, as they walked to their table, Grace literally stopped.

‘Oh, my gosh!’

She’d heard of the Petronas Towers, had seen them in pictures and had been planning to visit them, but standing on the rooftop bar, seeing them close up, as if two giant crystal decanters had been placed in the sky, was simply incredible.

‘Like a new moon,’ Carter said, standing beside her, his hand around her waist. ‘It’s better if you don’t see it the first time through glass.’

‘Is that why you brought me here?’

She couldn’t take her eyes off them, yet she had to as they were being led to a private area, a velvet rope being moved aside.

‘Thank you,’ she said as he gestured for her to take the stool that faced the towers. ‘For giving me the best view.’

Carter could have chosen to debate that point.

Her hair was heavy with ringlets, her T-shirt was falling off her shoulder, and her face was glowing. His view was excellent! Her smile and her eyes were bright. He was so used to just a bland reaction when he brought a date here, and yet Grace was enthralled.

Her enthusiasm had him revealing more. ‘They were my inspiration.’

‘To be an architect?’

He nodded. ‘I used to look out for them when I came home on vacation.’

‘To see your grandfather?’

‘Of course.’

But as he turned his head to follow her gaze, Carter was starting to recall times long before that.

‘My family used to come most summers, but we rarely stopped here. My parents hated the city, but I begged them to take me up. I knew I wanted to design something like that even then.’

‘Cognac, sir?’

Carter nodded, and the fact that the waiter knew this nettled Grace a little. As ‘madam’ was handed a menu, she stared at it, unseeing. There were just too many reminders that, as special as this night might feel, it was commonplace for him.

Carter tried to help with her selection. ‘The gin pahit is excellent here.’

‘Better not.’ She glanced at him. ‘Mother’s ruin and all that. I’m sure I’ll be fine, but...’ She gave the menu better attention, pleased to see there was something familiar. ‘Mangosteen Mocktail, please.’

Grace smiled, only he didn’t return it.

God, please don’t let me be pregnant, Grace thought.

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