Page 61 of Bride Under Contract

Grace wouldn’t. She was under the covers with one hand out, admiring her ring, when he came back from the safe. But when he climbed into bed she turned and faced him, ran a newly bejewelled hand along his smooth jaw. It was almost the same Carter she’d met that first day.

‘I forgot how good-looking you are,’ she said, and her honesty surprised her—it was as if she’d forgotten how to be shy.

‘You prefer me shaved?’

‘No,’ she admitted. ‘I just...forget sometimes.’

She examined his features and they were as gorgeous as they had been that very first day, and yet then it would have been rude to fully stare, or to reach out and touch.

‘The first time I saw you...’ she smiled a slow, satisfied smile ‘... I thought I was dreaming.’

‘Really?’

She nodded. ‘I mean it. I thought you were part of my dream. I had no idea where I was. Bear in my mind I couldn’t hear a thing. I thought it was a very nice, almost inappropriate dream.’

He smiled. ‘The first time I saw you I thought of Sleeping Beauty.’

‘Liar.’

‘No.’ He pushed her damp hair from her face. ‘Well, actually I thought, when I saw your passport on the floor, that you were not my problem.’

‘I’m not your problem,’ Grace said.

Possibly, she pondered, that was the beauty of them. They weren’t each other’s problem—instead they were each other’s solution.

Maybe that was why it felt so right.

It was a nice thought to fall asleep on.

Grace woke up alone.

Well, she heard the door close and realised there were to be no morning kisses goodbye or...

Staring at her ring, she told herself she was being ridiculous, and rang for tea and pancakes. And then, as she always did, she took a breath before checking her messages.

None from the care home.

Phew.

And just as she was about to call Carter, ask what the plans were for tonight, her phone rang and it was the Ms Hill she’d heard mentioned several times.

‘The stylist is booked for midday, but I’ve left hair and make-up till five, given you’re meeting Carter at seven.’

She gave Grace the location.

‘He’s not coming back here?’

‘No...’ She seemed to be checking. ‘Seven p.m. reception. The car will be booked for six-forty-five.’

‘Thanks so much,’ Grace said. ‘Do you know...?’ She stopped. ‘Actually, I’ll call him myself.’

‘Excuse me?’

‘I’ll call Carter.’

‘If you need Mr Bennett for any reason, then you can contact me.’

‘I meant for a personal reason.’

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