The past few years, Jeffreys family had been pressuring him to choose a wife and give them grandchildren. And though she and Jeffrey had discussed the subject of marriagehis marriagetheir conversations had always just danced around her part in the equation. She knew he loved her. Hed told her that on a number of occasions. In her heart, she believed a marriage proposal was the next logical step.
So why did it feel as if she were settling? Perhaps, she was just too practical to lose herself in the pursuit of some fantasy man. In truth, she had a hard time imagining any relationship in which she could completely surrender her heart. The wounds of her childhood ran far too deep.
Tess studied her reflection in the mirror behind the bar. Shed taken special care with her appearance, knowing shed want to look her best for the photos that would be taken. Shed chosen a dress of garnet Thai silk that shimmered with black and gold highlights as she moved.
A rhinestone necklace circled her neck, leaving the rest of her shoulders and chest bare.
Her attention was caught by the reflection of a man who had appeared at the other end of the bar. She studied his reflection silently, listening as he requested a bottle of scotch. He was the kind of gorgeous she didnt see very often, at least not working on a horse farm. Her stomach fluttered and she turned away, drawing a deep breath.
Tess ran her fingers through the soft curls of her shoulder-length hair, pushing the dark strands back into place. Though she wasnt a great beauty, she was pretty enough. Standing at Jeffreys side, they made a handsome couple. If she set her mind to it, she could pass as someone who belonged in the Beales social circle.
Tess took one last sip of her drink, then opened her purse and paid the bartender. But as she walked back through the lobby to the elevator, she began to doubt her resolve. Though she ought to be feeling exhilarated, all she could sense was a faint sense of dread. His parents wouldnt approve, the party guests wouldnt welcome her, and she be left as she always wasan outsider searching for a way in.
So what else is new, she muttered, quickening her step. Shed been an outsider her entire life and had survived quite nicely. If Jeffrey asked, then shed say yes. He was the only one who mattered. She didnt care what people thought.
Tess hurried toward the elevator. Though her nerves threatened to get the better of her, once shed accepted his proposal shed be fine. The doors to the elevator were just closing as she approached. Hold the elevator! she cried.
A hand appeared between the doors and they opened again. Tess hurried inside. Thanks, she murmured as she punched the button for the top floor. There were plenty of marriages based on friendship, on respect, on mutual goals for the future. Its not like I have men waiting in line, she murmured.
What?
She looked up and saw a familiar face. The man from the bar stood on the other side of the elevator, his piercing blue eyes suddenly stealing the breath from her lungs. She blinked, her ears suddenly filled with an odd ringing. What?
You said something. Im sorry, I thought you were talking to me.
No. I was just thinking out loud. Her voice cracked. Thanks. For holding the elevator.
No problem.
They waited together for the doors to close, both of them staring back out into the lobby, Tesss heart slamming in her chest.
Maybe you should push the button to close the door, he suggested.
She risked another glance over at him. Gawd, he was drop-dead sexy. Shed never seen a guy so beautiful. And it wasnt just the perfect features or the boyish smile or the thick, dark hair. He was dressed like hed just stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine. From his suit to his immaculately tailored shirt to his silk tie, it was clear that there was a killer body beneath the clothes.
The door? he said.
Yes, Tess murmured. Thank you for holding it. Oh, God, shed already said that.
He stepped around her, his shoulder brushing against hers as he passed, but then she realized what he wanted her to do. Stumbling forward, she reached for the button, but her legs were so wobbly, she tripped into the control panel.
A moment later, his fingers firmly closed around her elbow and he restored her balance. Are you all right?
Yes, she said, busying herself by punching at the buttons for the door. Fine. She pressed her hand to her chest and felt her heart pounding beneath her palm. This was how it was supposed to feel, Tess thought. This is what Alison had been talking about. Here she was, on her way to her own engagement party and she was flustered over a complete stranger.
What floor did you want? she asked.
Twelve, he said. He pointed to the panel. I pressed it when I got in.
Im going to the roof.
Not planning to jump, are you? he teased.
She gave him a sideways glance and found him smiling. Im considering it. But Im afraid of heights.
That would be fifteen, then, he replied, pointing to the panel.
She quickly reached out and punched the button again. Though Tess thought an outdoor party on the hotels roof garden was a bit foolhardy in the middle of a Nashville winter, the Beales would no doubt bring in portable heaters to warm the chilly, damp air. Money was never an object with them. The roof of the Perryman was supposed to have a stunning view of the city and the river. Only the best for the Beales, regardless of the cost. Her engagement party would certainly be memorable.
He met her gaze again and she found herself staring into the most arresting eyes. There was a devilish twinkle in them that only intensified when he smiled. Its going to be cold up there. Are you dressed warmly enough?
She shrugged. Its a party. Im sure there will be tents and heaters. She nodded toward the bottle he held. What about you? Are you going to a party too?
He shook his head. Im not in a party mood. I plan to spend a quiet night in my room, maybe watch a movie.
You and a bottle of scotch? This time Tess met his gaze squarely, refusing to look away. They say you should never drink alone.
I know. Its such a cliché. But this is a very good bottle of scotch. And I havent met anyone Id be interested in sharing it with. He paused. Until now.
She felt a warm blush creep up her cheeks and a shiver skittered down her spine. This was crazy. She was supposed to be in love with Jeffrey. Why was she even allowing herself to flirt with this stranger? Especially when she had absolutely no idea how to flirt.
You look beautiful, by the way, he said, pointing the bottle in her direction. That dress is well, looking like that, youre going to be the prettiest girl at the party.
She hadnt imagined it. They were definitely flirting. And for the first time in her life, she felt as if she wasnt making a complete fool of herself. Tess had never really learned how to charm a man, how to draw him in and make him want her. Shed always blurted out something sarcastic or brutally honest, ruining the mood.
But this stranger seemed to be totally entranced by her. Tess felt her stomach drop as the elevator started moving up. Shed never put much thought into her appearance. But suddenly she was glad she had, if only to feel this way just once in her life. Thank you. Youre very charming.
They were still smiling at each other when the elevator suddenly jerked. Tess fell back, slamming her shoulder against the wall. Crying out, she struggled to stay upright, but instead tumbled into his arms.
The lights in the car flickered and went out. Tesss breath caught in her throat as she waited, his body warm against hers, her breath coming in shallow gasps. This was it. This was Gods punishment for flirting with a handsome stranger. She was about to plunge down to the basement and die on the very night she was supposed to get engaged. The Fates were cruel.
But when the elevator didnt drop, Tess wondered if she wasnt being sent a different message. Maybe she wasnt supposed to go upstairs. Maybe this was exactly where she belonged.
DEREK NOLAN WAITED in the silence. His fingers gripped the womans arms, her skin soft beneath his touch. She hadnt said anything since the lights went out and the elevator bumped to a stop. Though he couldnt see her, an image of her was still swimming around in his head.
Until shed stepped into the elevator, hed been having a rather unremarkable night. Hed been prepared to spend his evening alone, with room service and a glass of the hotels best scotch, get a good nights sleep and then head out at dawn to his next destination. The routine had become so familiar that there were times when he even forgot the city in which he was staying.
Since the economy had gone south, Derek had been working at a frantic pace to keep his familys business well in the black. The Perryman was one of thirty-seven luxury hotels the Nolan family owned around the world and it had become his job to make sure they were all operating at peak efficiency. Though he found a lot of satisfaction in doing his job, hed begun to realize that working sixteen-hour days didnt leave much time for fun.
Just that afternoon, hed found himself daydreaming through a meeting on the hotels energy costs, his thoughts wandering to the last time hed really enjoyed himself. Sure, hed had vacations and women and distractions over the past eight years, but college had really been the last time hed felt completely free of responsibilityenough that he was able to relax and just let go.
Are we stuck? she asked.
It should be up and running in a minute, he said, rubbing her back to soothe her nerves. It probably just needs to reset itself.
And what if it doesnt? Shouldnt we try to get out while we can?
She turned, her hip brushing up against his groin, and Derek clenched his jaw. Being near a beautiful woman still caused the same physiological response, the same need to possess. But somewhere along the line, hed stopped surrendering to his impulses. Sure, he had no trouble finding women to share his bed, but lately, hed been searching for something more.
Could men and women be friends first and lovers second? Though hed had a number of long-term relationships, Derek hadnt found that one woman who he felt completely comfortable with.
Were still not moving, she said, her voice tense and her fingers digging into his arm.
Dont worry, he said softly.
You dont think it will Her voice faded.
Plummet to the basement? Derek asked. No, I dont think so. There are all kinds of safety features on elevators these days. That only happens in horror movies and bad dreams.
I have that dream all the time, she said. And it never ends well.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his BlackBerry. The screen lit up, providing enough light to see the features of her face. There should be an alarm button, he said. Derek found the button behind a door on the control panel and pushed it. A buzzer sounded in the shaft above their heads.
Then he dialed the number for the front desk. Hi, this is Derek Nolan. Im stuck in the elevator with He leaned closer to her. Whats your name?
Tess, she said. Tess Robertson.
With Tess Robertson. Could you call maintenance and have them get us out?
Certainly, Mr. Nolan. Right away. Im so sorry about this. Weve been having a lot of trouble with the elevators lately.
Just get us out, he said calmly. And call me at this number if theres any problem. He hung up, then turned the light from the screen toward her. Is there anyone youd like to call?
Tess hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. No. Im fine.
But she didnt sound fine. She sounded uneasy. Being in a dark, confined space with a stranger would make anyone nervous. You dont have to worry, he said. Youre safe with me. In fact, youre better off with me. Im a pretty important guest here. Theyll get us out as quickly as they can.
Im really not worried, she said. I mean, not about you. But the whole plunging to the basement thing is still an issue.
He chuckled. Why dont we sit down and make ourselves comfortable. Derek held out his hand and she placed her fingers in his as he helped her settle onto the floor. Derek sat down next to her. Then he set the bottle of scotch between them. What do you think? Should we open it? Its really good stuff. And it may calm your nerves.
Tess shrugged, crossing her legs in front of her and folding her hands in her lap. She forced a smile. Why not? Maybe it will soften the fall, too?
Were not going to fall, Derek insisted. With a grin, he handed her the BlackBerry. You hold the light. He peeled the foil from around the cap, then twisted it open. Unfortunately, I dont have any glasses. Some might consider it a crime to drink twelve-year-old scotch right out of the bottle but desperate times call for desperate measures.
I dont care what some people say, Tess replied. Ive never really liked arbitrary rules. She raised the bottle to him. To to the very strong and capable cable thats holding this elevator up. Like an experienced drinker, she tipped the bottle and took a sip, then coughed. Its good.
Derek reached over and patted her on the back. Easy there, you dont want to drink too fast.
With a soft laugh, she handed him back the bottle. Dont worry. I can handle my liquor.
Derek took a swig of the scotch. So, Tess Robertson. Since were stuck here for a while, tell me about yourself. Are you from Nashville?
She shook her head, her dark hair falling into her face. No. I live near Lexington, Kentucky. I manage a horse farm. We breed and raise thoroughbreds. For racing.
You work with horses?
Tess nodded. My dad is a trainer. He put me on a horse when I was three and I havent been off one since then. She smoothed her hands over her skirt. Yesterday, I was mucking out stables. Today, Im sipping expensive scotch in a party dress, waiting for my eminent death. Tess reached for the bottle and took another sip. What about you?
My family owns a chain of hotels.
Hah! she said with a laugh. I bet youre sorry you decided to stay at this one.
I probably shouldnt admit this, but this hotel is one of ours. The one with the broken elevator.
You own this hotel? Sorry. Its very nice.
Im here looking after the family interests. Making sure the staff is doing its job. Tomorrow I head down to Puerto Rico to visit another hotel.
Your job sounds very glamorous, she said.