by Amy McKinley
Needing more light, I got the iPad and shone the flashlight inside. There was something there. A whisper of air teased the loose tendrils of hair at my neck, and I shivered. It felt as if I wasn’t the only one hovering expectantly to reveal what was concealed beneath the floor long ago.
I moved for a better angle with caution for my bruising knees. My hand would fit, but I wasn’t sure if the object would clear the narrow opening. I yanked on the edge of the floorboard closest to me, but it didn’t budge. But the other easily gave, and I quickly removed it. With hands that shook, I retrieved the hidden treasure from its resting place.
With a brush of my hand, I swept the thick layer of dust from the box. Simple in design, it resembled an old cigar case. I nibbled on my bottom lip, torn. The aroma of coffee swelled, and I swore a hand cupped my shoulder from behind, but when I looked, there was no one there. Even so, here, and in Cristiano’s former room, I was comforted. I had to see what he’d left because I knew without a doubt that this belonged to him. The box had to go to Stone. It was his building—and I’d give it to him, but not until after I looked inside.
Chapter 10
Adeline
With the cigar box clutched against my chest, I hurried down the hall from my old room to Stone’s suite. All my stuff was packed up to move. My suitcase bumped along behind me, and my bag hung from my shoulder, pressed tightly to my side. It was convenient that he was on the same floor. He wouldn’t be back for at least an hour from the board meeting, which left me time to read over Cristiano’s letters.
After using the keycard he’d given me, I pushed open the heavy wood door then set my suitcase off to the side. A beautiful sitting room with deep red settees and armchairs were arranged around a dark coffee table. Floor to ceiling drapes framed oversized windows and French doors that led to the balcony.
I dropped my handbag at my feet and sat on the luxurious couch, the cigar box held carefully between my hands. Resting it on my lap, I opened the lid to peer inside. My heart raced as I brushed my fingers over the aged, folded sheets of paper secured by a pale-pink ribbon. Part of me realized I shouldn’t touch them with my bare hands, but I couldn’t help myself. An odd duality came over me, and it was as if I was close to him once more—home.
In the back of my mind, I recognized the pull Stone had over me, similar to what I’d felt in Francesca toward Cristiano. I mean, I moved into Stone’s suite! I couldn’t imagine I’d succumb to any other employer suggesting that was the best course of action after a water leak. I would have laughed my head off while checking into another hotel.
I understood what my mother and the psychic were hinting at, directing me toward. Mom had said, “You, my darling daughter, have a different path. Follow it and find your happy.” The hotel, learning of Cristiano and Francesca, and finally, Stone. This was my destiny, and I was going to grasp it with both hands.
The emotions from discovering the notes brought images forward from another time, and I let them unfold as if I was immersed in a dream. It was like they were my memories, but at the same time, they weren’t. I let myself drift, envisioning how it had all begun. Like the frames of a movie, the present faded and the past materialized.
Cristiano had flashed that pretty necklace while Madre wasn’t looking. It was how I knew where to find the messages he’d left me: the third stone from the bottom of Juliet’s Wall and near the far corner. There were places the mortar was missing, and people secreted love letters in the crevices. But the one where he left notes for me had a lighter vein of color dissecting the brick, and if it weren’t for his whispered words as he had passed by me, I wouldn’t have known to remove it. Loosened, I was able to pull it out and retrieve the hidden notes during our stay.
Fortunately for me, there was always a crowd in the square by Juliet’s Wall, enough so that I could maneuver the stone without Madre seeing on our afternoon strolls while she and several women engaged in conversation. Each handwritten note sent a surge of joy, and my heart raced as I fell deeper in love with the handsome boy who I feared my parents would forbid me from entertaining a future with.
I feared our love would end in similar tragedy to the famed Romeo and Juliet. We couldn’t let it. My heart thudded with excitement upon learning of all he planned—the moonlit rendezvous away from the prying eyes of my family and the hotel staff and guests. He spoke to my soul with the beautiful words and vows of love, devotion. He was the one I wanted. Somehow, I would convince my parents of this as well.
At the very least, the notes gave me comfort in his intentions. I traced the beautiful script where he’d penned my name. I couldn’t let my parents find them, so I had Cristiano keep all our secret messages together. Because should we be found out, they’d whisk me away, and I would never see him again. We’d thought we had the time and a plan.
Time wasn’t in our favor then.
I blinked away the distant memories. A sense of familiarity washed over me as I gazed at the same script from the vision scrawled over the letters in the box.
With hands that shook, I tugged the ribbon until the pounding at the door stilled my fingers. That couldn’t be Stone. It was at least a half hour too soon.
With infinite care, I placed the antique box on the coffee table and then went to see who was here. I pulled open the heavy doors, my greeting caught in my throat at who stood there—Celia—and instead, I coughed. What the hell could she want?
Wait a minute. My eyes narrowed on her equally stunned expression. Then I took in what she was wearing. Gone was the outfit from earlier, and in its place was a formfitting full-length black evening gown that plunged at the neckline. Diamonds decorated her ears and neck. The ruby-red lipstick was replaced with a deep crimson, and her eyes were carefully lined in black, the shadow matching a smoky nighttime look. In her hands were two champagne flutes and a bottle of Dom Perignon.
I leaned against the doorframe while keeping one hand firmly on the edge of the door so she couldn’t force her way inside.
“What are you doing here?” Her shrill voice crackled with outrage.
This wasn’t a confrontation I needed tonight, and I crossed my arms over my chest. “I would ask you the same question.”
A smirk replaced the shock. “Stone and I have plans this evening.”
“No, you don’t.” This woman was stalkerish crazy. “But if you’d like, I can reach him on his cell and let him know that you’re here, after hours, and at the door to his suite.”
She crossed her arms over her barely covered chest. “Go right ahead.”
“Fine.” Stone had better answer. I needed this problem dealt with, and no matter what I told her, I had a strong sense she wouldn’t listen. Dialing his number, I tapped the button for the speaker. He answered after the first ring.
“Everything okay?”
Celia’s lips parted, and I held up a finger, momentarily throwing her off as I quickly said what I needed to first. “I’ve got you on speaker. Celia is at our door and claims you have plans with her tonight.”
“I don’t.” The finality in his tone should have been enough for her, but I knew it wouldn’t be. She had delusions of grandeur where he was concerned.
But his words were all I needed. She started talking over me, something about a gala event she knew about from her uncle. One she was assured Stone had planned to attend. What she wasn’t privy to was that he’d donated a large sum but had declined the invitation. Something I was well aware of since I had full access to his schedule and handled notifying them myself. “I’ll be documenting this unprofessional incident. This is the third strike. You’re demoted from lead designer and will report to Delilah. And, Celia, be careful not to make another mistake.” Aside from having to raise my voice to be heard above hers, I kept my tone professional.
“This is absurd. Do you have any idea who I am? You’re nobody.” Celia snarled, her voice rising to greater heights to be heard through the cell. “Stone, she has no right talking to me how she is. Fire this woman.”
“That’s not going to happen. I’ve told you multiple times you answer to Adeline, which you’ve blatantly ignored. What she said stands. You need to leave the building, Celia,” Stone said, the exhaustion bleeding through the line.
“Thanks, Stone. I’ll handle it from here.” With the press of a button, I switched the phone off speaker and held it to my ear. Celia didn’t need to hear the rest of our conversation. And after, it was time to put an end to her outlandish behavior. Tomorrow I would put Delilah in charge of leading the team. “I’ll see you shortly.” After his confirmation as to being ten minutes away, I disconnected the call, realizing we’d have to have the conversation about the letters later. For tonight, I’d stash them away.
“You have no right to be here,” she fumed. “Wait until my uncle hears about this.”
“I have every right.” I held my hand up so she could get a good look at the rock on my finger. Her eyes narrowed with malicious intent, but I pressed on, driving home what I hoped would put a stop to her disillusions. “I live here with Stone.”
Fury blazed in Celia’s gaze before she stomped away to the elevator. Before she stepped inside, she glanced over her shoulder, her voice snide and a devious smirk shaping the curve of her mouth. “Does he know about Tommy?”
Stone
* * *
The day had crept by at a snail’s pace. I’d lost count of the number of times I’d checked my phone to gauge how soon I could put an end to the board meeting. What I wanted was to leave and go to my suite where Adeline would be.
After I had excused myself to take her call and deal with the Celia fiasco, I knew it was time. As quickly as I could, I wrapped up the meeting and left. I should have felt guilt, but I didn’t. With a push to the heavy double doors, I entered my suite. The sitting room was empty. Where was she? Setting my briefcase next to the hallway table, I went in search of her, giving in to the sense of urgency I’d been feeling since leaving her side.
There was something inside me that was tied to her, recognized her on another level. I’d worked hard to succeed, to grow my business to a top Fortune 500 company over the past five years. I hadn’t ignored my instincts along the way, and I wouldn’t when it came to Adeline.
I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Damn the consequences. We’d already crossed a line.
Loosening my tie, I headed for her room at the same time she exited it. My hands automatically gripped her arms to stop her from careening into me. She let out a startled laugh, her blue eyes sparkling, and I gave into doing what I’d wanted to from the first time I’d seen her.
I drew her close, keeping her focus locked on me as I moved with infinite slowness to afford her time to pull away if she wanted. My intentions were clear in my touch as I slid one hand to her hip and the other to cup the back of her neck. Her hands automatically went to my waist, her lips parted in surprise, and I dipped my head to capture her mouth with mine.
On a groan, I devoured her soft, decadent lips. Parting them wider, I explored, tasting her, lost in the sensations I’d only felt with this woman. She melted in my arms, and her moan filled my mouth, stoking my desire to greater heights. I would never get enough of her.
Heat spiraled through me at the way she responded, how she felt. If I wasn’t careful, the moment would get away from me, and things would move much faster than I’d intended. When she pressed against my chest with her palms, I drew back, giving her the space she asked for. But I instantly felt the loss as my arms fell away. We stared at one another, our chests rising and falling rapidly.
“What was that?” Her wide eyes conveyed her surprise, but her dilated pupils told me she had been just as affected as I was.
“That was something I’ve wanted to do since I first held you in my arms.”
Adeline toyed with a patron saint pendant around her neck, and when I looked closer, my heart stopped. “Where did you get that?”
She frowned. “I’ve had this since I was young. My mom bought it for me when I saw it at a consignment shop.” A mischievous grin spread across her face. “I had a bit of a meltdown and refused to leave without it. Why?”
“It’s something I’ve seen before.” I shoved the conjured memory and similarity of the necklace aside. I ran my fingers through my hair, exhaustion settling over me. Needing her, I laced our fingers. “Are you hungry?”
“No. I know you said we would eat, but it’s late. I made you a sandwich. I can grab it, and we can sit on the couch?”
“That sounds good.” And a drink. I needed one of those. I went over to the bar and poured two fingers of bourbon. “Want one?” I raised the glass as she entered, plate in hand. At her nod, I fixed one for her too.
Her hair was in a loose braid, and she wore a T-shirt and jeans. It had become a habit to read her graphic tees to gain a deeper insight to her emotions. She had an obsession with them, and I was quickly realizing I did as well. A scan of the words plastered across her enticing chest and I chuckled, my mood instantly lightening. It read: “You had me at I hate that bitch too.” With a shake of my head, I traded conspiratorial grins with her because on that we were in a hundred percent agreement.
After placing the plate with my food on the coffee table, she accepted the drink I offered. I took a sip then replaced it with the sandwich. I needed to refuel.
“How did the meeting go?” She tucked her legs underneath her.
I devoured half the sandwich before answering. “It went well, productive. I gave Maxwell, Celia’s uncle, a heads-up about how things weren’t going well with her employment. He didn’t seem surprised.”
“I hope that doesn’t become a problem should she be let go.”
“It won’t.” Celia was the last thing I wanted to discuss with her. Instead, I wanted to get to know her more. I already knew that I liked to work alongside her. She had a quick mind and great ideas. “Do you miss your friends or hometown?”
The corners of her mouth upturned, and her eyes crinkled. “My friends, yes, my hometown, no. Not even a little. I lived there my entire life. I have a grand plan to travel and a long list of places to go. This amazing job will enable me to take vacations and fulfill that wanderlust like I never could have before.”
“Well, you do get four weeks of vacation a year. Plus, there would be opportunities to work alongside me at my other hotels.” I had every intention of having her come with me, but now was not the time. We were feeling our way around each other, and I wanted her to be comfortable. Because I had long-term goals where she was concerned. She just didn’t know it yet. “Did most of your friends find jobs upon graduating?”
“Yes. My best friend, Eileen, is a travel writer. Which is perfect really.” Her eyes sparkled, and a becoming rose dusted her cheeks. “I can visit her wherever she is when I take a vacation, or even a weekend visit.” She nibbled on her lip. “What about you? What do you do when you’re not working? Do you have hobbies?”
She was cute. “Of course. I don’t have a lot of time outside of my company, but I make sure to volunteer in the children’s cancer wing in whatever state I’m in each month.” I didn’t want to talk about this, but it was close to my heart, and the only way for her to let me fully into hers was if I did the same. “I had a younger sister who died at the age of six to lymphoma. Giving back helps to ease a little of the pain and to keep her close. My entire family does as well.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” Tears misted her eyes, and she covered my hand with hers. “Cancer is hell.”
“It is, and it doesn’t discriminate based on age or the goodness of the person, the unreached potential.”
We sat in a comfortable silence, and I appreciated Adeline even more for it. My sister was special, and I wanted to share some of her with Adeline.
“She was this little spitfire.” I laughed as a memory resurfaced. “She was in this Wonder Woman phase, any female superhero actually, and she’d convinced us to drag all the pillows from the couches into the foyer. We had this grand
staircase, and she planned to slide down it and then capture the villain—who happened to be our brother Caden, her twin. He played his role a little too well, probably because of all the crazy stunts Cyn put him through.”
“Cyn?”
“Short for Cynthia.” I repressed the full-body shudder at the thought of the fear from that day. “She almost did it until she was three-fourths of the way down and one of the missiles, Nerf gun foam bullets, hit her in the face. She lost her grip and fell. By some miracle, she’d landed on a stack of the pillows and was okay.” I shook my head. “We weren’t. Mom found out and must have yelled at us for a good half hour. It didn’t matter. My brothers and I would do anything Cyn wanted. She had that kind of energy, enthusiasm for life.”
“She sounds amazing. I wish I could have met her.”
Adeline’s quiet voice brought me back, and I let go of the past. My cell rang, and I ignored it, caught up in the moment and memories of my sister, until I saw Tiffany’s name pop up.
Lifting it from the table, I accepted the FaceTime call. Tiffany’s smiling face came into view. “Is everything okay?”
“I had the baby.” Her grin stretched impossibly wider, and she held the phone farther away. In her arms was a swaddled baby with a blue knit cap. “We named him Antonio after Aaron’s grandfather.”
My congratulations blurred with Adeline’s squeal of, “He’s so cute!”
Tiffany’s eyes bulged, and she laughed. “Adeline’s there?”
