Page 25 of Sanctuary

The woman’s smile widened. “Congratulations! Let me see what I can do for you.”

As she tapped away at her computer, I leaned in close to Connor. “You didn’t have to tell her that,” I whispered.

He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. “Why not? It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

Before I could respond, the receptionist looked up. “I have our Honeymoon Suite available. It has a stunning view of the falls, a jacuzzi tub, and complimentary champagne. Would that suit your needs?”

Connor nodded. “That sounds fantastic.”

As he handled the check-in process, I found myself staring at his profile. The strong line of his jaw, the confident set of his shoulders, and the fact that he was gorgeous.

“Ready?” Connor’s voice broke through my reverie. He was holding out a key card, an expectant look on his face.

I took a deep breath and nodded. “Ready.”

As we rode the elevator up to our suite, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was living someone else’s life. The doors opened, and he led the way down the plush hallway.

He paused at our door, key card in hand. “You know,” he said softly, “in some traditions, the groom is supposed to carry the bride over the threshold.”

I felt my cheeks flush. “We’re not even married yet.”

He grinned, a playful glint in his eye. “Consider it practice then.”

Before I could protest, he scooped me up into his arms. I let out a small squeak of surprise, my arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.

“Connor!” I laughed, feeling both exhilarated and ridiculous. “Put me down!”

“Not a chance,” he said, swiping the key card and pushing open the door with his shoulder.

He carried me into the suite, which was even more luxurious than I had imagined. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the illuminated falls. A king-sized bed dominated one side of the room, while a jacuzzi tub big enough for two sat in the corner.

He set me down gently, his hands lingering on my waist. For a moment, we stood there, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek.

“Well,” he said softly, “what do you think?”

I turned slowly, taking in the opulent surroundings. “It’s beautiful,” I breathed. My eyes landed on a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket. “Should we...?”

He nodded, moving to open the bottle. The pop of the cork made me jump slightly, and he chuckled.

“Nervous?” he asked, pouring two glasses.

I accepted the flute he offered me, taking a small sip. The bubbles tickled my nose. “Maybe a little,” I admitted. “This is all happening so fast.”

His expression softened. He set his glass down and took my free hand in his. “Mia, I know this isn’t exactly a fairytale romance. But I want you to know that I take this seriously. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe and make this work.”

I felt a lump form in my throat. “Connor, I really need to tell you what I have to tell you, before we do this.”

“Whatever it is, can wait. I’m starving, let’s go down to the restaurant we passed by in the lobby and get something to eat.”

“Fine, I just need to use the washroom first.”

I ducked into the bathroom, my heart pounding. The marble countertop was cool against my palms as I leaned forward, staring at my reflection in the ornate mirror. My face looked pale and drawn, my eyes wide with a mix of excitement and dread.

What was I doing? In less than 24 hours, I would be married to a man I barely knew. A man who thought he was protecting me, when in reality, I was the one that was hazardous to him. The weight of my secrets pressed down on me, threatening to crush me, and I gagged at the thought.

I turned on the faucet, letting the water run until it was ice cold. Cupping my hands, I splashed my face, gasping at the shock of it. The chill helped clear my head, if only for a moment. As I patted my face dry with a plush towel, my mind raced. How could I tell him the truth? That I was not just a simple librarian running from danger, but the very threat itself?

That the men chasing us weren’t after some pirated movies, but after me.

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