Page 12 of Reckless Chance
He turns and kisses me. “No problem. On a lighter note, why is your ring fifteen times more expensive than mine?” he teases.
I playfully punch him in the arm. “Very funny. I’m keeping the ring until our marriage is annulled. I want you motivated to clean up this mess quickly.”
Sean attempts to comfort me, placating, “Quit worrying. It’ll all be over soon.”
My mood darkens. While I don’t want all that a marriage entails, why does thinking of the annulment make me feel cold and alone? It doesn’t make sense.
Before I can delve into further self-analysis, I hear another knock at the door. “Breakfast, sir,” Walter announces. At least I’m dressed for his second intrusion.
8
LOWRI
“Let me show you something,” Sean says as we finish breakfast.
“What is it?” I ask, following him. He doesn’t say anything until we reach a door in the hallway near his bedroom.
“Place your right hand against the panel.” He points to the wall.
Curiosity has me speculating as to what secret lies behind the door. I’m not sure if I’m nervous or excited as I place my palm flat against the five-by-eight-inch, black acrylic panel mounted on the wall. A second or two later, there’s a click.
In a deep, gravelly voice, Sean says, “Open the door.”
I turn the handle as my imagination runs wild. Is he revealing a naughty playground? Other than in my mental fantasies, this party girl has her limits. Does he expect more than I’m ready to give? If it’s his version ofFifty Shades of Something, should I run or stay?
Opening the door slowly reveals something entirely unexpected, and I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or relieved. “Huh? It’s an elevator,” I say, turning to him with a mystified gaze.
“It is. It will take you to your suite, which is directly below mine. Your handprint opens the door, allowing you to easily travel between your suite and my apartment without having to use the hallways. This way you can leave most of your clothes in your room. If Cassie drops by, she won’t suspect you’re staying with me.” He grins.
“Doeseveryonewho stays in my suite have direct access to yours?”
“Of course, not. We disable the elevator unless I’ve reserved the suite.”
“That’s why you upgraded my room. Wait a minute though. How often do youreservethe suite? You said you rarely have women stay over. What’s up with that?” Without meaning to, I let my emotions show. I woke up accidentally married, but I’m not ready for my temporary husband to be a liar too.
“My friends use it a lot. Mymalefriends. It makes it easier to handle security and access to my floor if they stay in the suite below. Am I detecting a little jealousy in my new wife?”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I merely wanted to know if you’d been truthful with me about avoiding relationships, even short ones. It was presumptuous of you to assume that I’d be interested in hooking up again, particularly after we agreed we wouldn’t.”
He smirks. “I didn’t hear any complaints last night. I’ve also had security give you access to the Maze, which means you can move around the hotel quickly while we finish planning the party. I’ll have my assistant, Emily, give you a tour of our underground tunnel system and an app for your phone so you won’t get lost.”
“That sounds great. What else do we need to do for the party?”
“Finalize the food and beverage order, select the décor, and approve the room layout. Also, Evan wants to meet with the magician ahead of time. I can book him. I’m hoping youcan oversee the rest. Emily set up a meeting with the event coordinator for 11:00 a.m. this morning. She’ll text you the info. Unfortunately, I’m stuck in business meetings most of the day.”
“No problem. My schedule has a little flexibility while I’m here. I can take care of the remaining details for the party. Don’t forget to call your lawyer. We needunwedas quickly as possible. Unfortunately, my law license doesn’t allow me to appear in court in Nevada, or I’d take care of it myself. I’m only licensed in California.”
“I promise to take care of our misadventure. Don’t give it another thought. Let’s meet on my balcony for drinks at 7:00 p.m. to share updates,” he suggests, kissing me quickly on the forehead as I step into the elevator.
Less than a minute later, the doors open. I find myself in the walk-in closet in my suite’s bedroom. Hmm. I can’t help wondering how many women have taken that ride. Rather than dwell on that thought, I find the bathroom and indulge in a long, hot shower before readying myself to meet with the event planner.
After applying makeup, I start putting on my earrings and bracelet when my eyes catch the flashy wedding ring on the bathroom vanity. I debate what to do with it. It doesn’t feel proper to wear it on my finger even though I told Sean that I’m keeping the ring until our marriage is annulled. Instead, I put it on my gold neck chain with the heart pendant from my mom and tuck it into the neck of my shirt for safekeeping.
Grabbing my phone, I hurry to the lobby.
A couple of minutes after arriving, I recognize Emily as she approaches. She’s an unassuming woman who I’d guess is somewhere in her late twenties or early thirties. She’s wearing a light-gray suit and dark-rimmed glasses. Her hair is pulled back in a tight bun, reminding me of a librarian. It’s clear she’s quite attractive despite her attempt to look nondescript, whichmakes me wonder why she’s hiding her beauty. It’s none of my business, so I squash my curiosity when she extends her hand.
“Hello. Welcome back, Lowri. I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Emily.”
