Page 7 of The Bride's Secret

The pause lasted longer than he would have liked. But at last she said, “Oh! Yes. Right. I’m here. I guess. Are we still doing that?”

“Well, I was thinking you could use me as an excuse to give yourself some space, you know? If guys are wanting to get close or whatever…” This was way more awkward than he envisioned. When she didn’t answer, he added, “Unless you want to pick up on guys, maybe a quick rebound fling…” He cringed as he said it, but it was none of his business how she chose to manage her life.

“No, I don’t want that. You’re right. Good idea. So if anyone asks, or if they get too close, I can just tell them, we’re together.”

He nodded. “Yes.” And here came the part that in theory sounded much easier. “I have the presidential suite up here, with an extra bedroom. If it simplifies things, you’re welcome to it…”

Her small intake of breath filled him with anxiety. But then she said, “okay. I’ll be right up, what’s the room number?”

“It takes up the whole top floor. I’ll have to meet you. Only my keycard can get you in.”

“Fancy, wow. OK. I’ll be down by the elevators on the fourth floor in ten minutes.”

He couldn’t tell what she thought about his offer or their arrangement, but he’d feel better if she were up here by him, if she could use him as a form of protection. And then she could go home and be on her way.

He was totally deluding himself into thinking this was all for her protection. But he couldn’t ignore the small bit of hope and the pick-up of his heart thinking of her so close to him. Maybe if she was looking for a rebound guy… He kicked himself. He was not going to be the rebound guy. As tempting as she was, he was better than that, better than he’d accused Heath of being. He’d give her the respect she deserved. And maybe a comforting hug or two at night watching a movie? Surely nothing was wrong with any purely platonic interactions. He satisfied his fascination with his new roomatte with those plans and headed down the elevator.

She waited for him, in front of the doors as they opened. Her expression turned from a worried twist of her lips to one of delight. “Oh hi!” She found a place in his arms with him even thinking about it, and handed him the handle of one of her bags. “Thank you for this.”

His key card lit the button allowing him to press the top floor. “It will be nice to share the space with someone.”

“I’ve never even seen a presidential suite. If you’re sure…”

He grinned.

“Well, it’s too late now I guess, since here I come.”

“I’m sure. It will be great. You can come and go as you please. I’ll be the busy newlywed with my work, which I really do need to complete, and you have a story to tell people if you need it.” He chewed his lip. “If you do find someone you’re interested in, perhaps we could have a spat or something…” He frowned.

She shook her head. “No, I’m not the cheating kind. We’ll talk about that if it comes up. I doubt it will. Let’s face it. I was about to get married only a few hours ago.”

He nodded. “True. How are you feeling about that?”

She sucked in her breath. “Good. Heath and I have texted at least. That puts some of the pressure off. He seems cool with it. Wants to stay close, keep dating me. He even said he wasn’t ready either. He’s happy I was brave enough to be the one to admit it.”

Wyatt nodded. “Good. Then maybe it can still work out, some day.”

Her shrug told him more than her silence. And he secretly hoped she’d be done with Heath forever, or at least until the boy grew up. At almost thirty, if he hadn’t grown yet, what chance did he have to being worthy of Carisa any time soon?

The door opened, and Wyatt noticed the room for the first time through Carisa’s exclamations of delight. “This is beautiful. Look at that view! Mine was only a partial view. This is magnificent!” The whole wall of windows opened out in front of them. Wyatt moved to open the sliding glass doors and the musical soothing sounds of the crashing waves filled the room. A floral scent wafted in on the breeze and Carisa breathed deeply. “Oh, this is going to be heaven.” She spun in a circle. And ran out onto the balcony. Her hands on the railing, relaxed, her shoulders lowered, her face serene, she watched the ocean for a long moment, and Wyatt didn’t disturb her. He opened back up his laptop and started responding to emails, secretly thrilled with the new gorgeous addition to his living space.

When she returned, he pointed her to her bedroom and bath and smiled in satisfaction at her squeals of ecstasy about everything from the soft bed and the large soaking tub. Suddenly things he had hardly glanced at were now interesting to him as well. Did he have a soaking tub? Was there room for two in hers? He had to stop thinking of them in that way. But it couldn’t hurt to tease just a little bit.

“So, wife.” He called back to her bedroom area.

She came back out, swinging her arms and carrying a book and a pair of sunglasses, dressed in a bright pink bikini.

All of his teasing words left for a full twenty seconds or more.

Her laughter woke him up somewhat but his tongue was tied. “Where are you going like that?”

He wanted to stop her, or follow her or something. She was stunning, and comfortable, and he admitted, he just wanted to look at her. Longer. “You’re beautiful. Every guy down there is gonna be fighting over the chair next to yours.”

A pretty pink filled her face. “Well now, I’ll just put my sunglasses on, like this.” She placed them over her eyes. “And put my book up like this.” She held it in front of her face. “And maybe they’ll leave me alone.

Wyatt doubted it very much. Suddenly, he wanted to check out the pool area. He snapped his laptop shut. “I’m coming.”

“What? Okay. Should I wait?” She called after him as he booked for his bedroom to find the suit he’d asked to be delivered to his room.

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