Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
I slid my arm around Ada’s waist, burying my nose in the hollow of her neck and inhaling her addictive scent as we approached the check-in desk. The woman behind the desk took my card, and I spotted the entrance to the bar over her shoulder. A familiar head of dark hair caught my eye. A man sat on a stool nursing a drink, and it took me a moment to recognise Derek. He looked even worse than he had a few weeks ago, that night when he’d seemingly been going through it but had refused to talk to anyone about what was troubling him. He sported a full, scruffy beard and dark circles beneath his eyes.
“I can’t wait to see the room,” Ada said, distracting me from my observation of Derek Balfe.
“Let’s go check it out, then. I have some very specific plans for when we get there,” I murmured the last bit low in her ear and saw a shiver skitter over her.
When we reached the suite, a bellhop had already dropped off our bags. Ada slipped off her shoes and coat, dropped her handbag on an armchair and went straight into the bedroom. I followed, amused by her eagerness to see where we’d be sleeping.
“Oh my gosh, look at the view,” she exclaimed, peering at the marina through the bedroom window. She turned and walked into the adjoining bathroom. “And the bathroom. There’s a tub and everything. It’s huge.” She glanced back at me. “Want to share a bath?” Her eyebrow lifted, and I shot her a dark look.
“Yes, why don’t you get it started, and I’ll join you in a few minutes? I promised Maggie I’d check in with her when we arrived.”
Ada pouted a little. “Fine, but don’t be too long.”
“I’ll be as quick as I can.” I slid my hand along her jaw and kissed her lightly before drawing away. “By the way, check out the front compartment of my suitcase. I packed you a few Christmas presents.”
“Oh, you did?” She moved to grab her own suitcase. “I actually brought something for you, too. Just let me—"
I caressed her shoulder and leaned in for a quick kiss, “Give it to me when I get back.”
She nodded, and I departed, checking my phone with Maggie’s text where she’d told me what room she and Shay were staying in.
“Hello! I’m so happy you made it,” Maggie said when she opened the door. We hugged briefly as I stepped inside the room, which was a little smaller than the suite I’d booked for Ada and me. “I did. It was a nice drive down. Where’s Shay?”
“Oh, he’s with Rhys. Some kind of best man business, so he won’t be back for a while. Want to grab dinner with me?”
“Actually, I can’t. I brought a date. She’s waiting back in our room.”
Maggie’s smile spread quickly across her face. “You did!? Can I meet her?”
“No need. You’ve already met.”
“I fecking knew it! You’re seeing Ada, aren’t you?”
“Yes, and don’t act like you weren’t already aware since you walked in on us after—”
“After you pretended not to be shagging in your office bathroom? Yes, well, you can thank me for being discreet about that whole saga. But anyway, I’m so happy you brought her with you. She seems really lovely.”
“She is,” I said, my feelings threatening to overwhelm me as I thought of Ada. My heart practically pounded with my need to get back to her. “She’s amazing.”
“Oh my God,” Maggie whispered. “Are we going to be attending another wedding in the near future?”
“See? This is why I didn’t say anything before. You’re getting way ahead of yourself.”
“I don’t know. There’s something about you two. When I see you together, it just feels … right.”
Her statement had my chest tightening in a way that was both pleasant and a little terrifying. I was so lucky to have met someone like Ada, but at the same time, I had this irrational dread that I might mess everything up and let her slip through my fingers.
“Well, I better get back to our room before she thinks I’ve abandoned her. What time is the ceremony tomorrow?”
“Two p.m. at a little church just down the street. We can all walk there together and then back to the hotel for the party afterwards.”
“All right, I’ll see you then. Have a good night.”
“You, too!”
I was almost back to our suite when I walked by the bank of elevators and Derek Balfe stumbled out looking like he’d downed several more drinks since I’d seen him at the bar less than an hour ago.
He fumbled in his pockets, presumably searching for his room key, when it fell to the floor at his feet.
“Shite,” he swore.
“Derek, mate, let me get that for you,” I said, bending to pick up the key card. He reeked of cigarettes and alcohol, his eyes bloodshot as I handed it back.