Key to My Heart: An Anthology of Sweet Romance

by Alice La Roux

  “It’s a surprise. Follow me.”

  And like a giddy child, I grab my clutch bag and follow Jack. I don’t care where we’re going if I’m with him.

  When we walk back into his hotel, I don’t know what to expect. But then he types in some code on the lift to take us to the rooftop. I stand in the lift feeling like someone stole my tongue. Jack leans against the bar and watches me closely. The doors ping open and he walks out first. I follow him slowly, but then I stop dead in my tracks. The rooftop opens to a beautiful oasis. The pool is illuminated by colourful underwater lights. There are many tropical plants and trees surrounding the area. It’s truly beautiful.

  “Wow! I didn’t even know this existed.”

  “You asked me earlier today what I do for fun. Well, in my spare time, I like to come up here with a drink and a book. Cheesy, I know, but there’s something very relaxing about being up here.”

  I throw my bag down on a table and walk under the twinkling fairy lights. “I can see why you’d love it up here. Was this always here?”

  “No. It was just a rooftop when we bought it, but I decided to create something that no other hotel here has. A few have copied something similar since, but nothing is like this.”

  He grins that boyish grin—the one that says his is best and nothing will ever compare.

  “Can I get you something to drink?”

  I shake my head. “No, I’m good just now. That pool looks very tempting.”

  “Why don’t we try it out?” He pulls his shirt over his head and lowers his trousers. He’s standing in front of me with just his black boxer briefs that cling to his skin.

  “We can’t do this. Someone could come up here.”

  “No one will come up here because it’s engaged. It’s all ours. Are you frightened, Miss?”

  I glare at him and kick off my heels. I’m very competitive, and I won’t back down. I pull my top over my head and lower my skirt. I’m standing in front of him in just my underwear, but I walk away from him and lower myself into the cool water. It’s divine.

  “You look a little lost there, Mr Donovan.”

  “Just when I think I’ve got you sussed, you do something to surprise me.”

  “Safe has got me nowhere in the past.”

  He climbs into the pool with me and leans his back against the side. “So, we’re living dangerously. Sounds like a plan.”

  “I never thought I’d be lazing in a rooftop pool with a guy I just met. That isn’t like me, by the way.”

  Jack chuckles and takes my hand in his. “Relax. I didn’t think for one minute you were that type of woman. That’s why I like you. Most single women I come across are in your face, fake, and not very nice.”

  “Should I take that as a compliment?”

  “Of course. I only ever give compliments where you’re concerned.”

  I lean my back against the side alongside him. Our hands are still joined, and I don’t have any doubts that this is where I want to be.

  Chapter Six

  Jack

  The last few days with Hallie have been the best few days in such a long time. I’ve never taken as much time off work, but I know she’s due to fly back to Glasgow tonight. I’ve woken up this morning feeling crabbit and out of sorts. I’ve snapped at my staff and banged into everything I possibly can. I don’t want to let her just walk back out of my life. She walked, or rather stumbled, into my life seven days ago. Now it’s all over.

  “Hey, why are all of my staff complaining about you this morning?”

  “Our staff, and I’m sick of their incompetence. End of story.” I slam the drawer shut and sit down at my desk.

  “Look, I don’t know what’s going on with you and the little lady, but your head is clearly not here today. Just go, do something. I don’t want lawyers crawling all over the place because people complain about you being nasty and violent.”

  “Whatever.” I push away from my desk and leave the office and Jared behind. I run through the corridor and make my way up to the third floor. I knock on the hotel door and wait for an answer, but no one answers. I look at my watch and see that it’s only two p.m. Hallie won’t be leaving here for a few hours yet. I rush back down to the ground floor and jump behind the desk. I pull up the check out list and notice she hasn’t checked out yet. I bang my hands down on the desk and take in a deep breath. I’m going to end up driving myself crazy at this rate.

  “Hi. Are you okay?” comes the sweet voice I’ve been waiting all day for.

  I look up slowly and see her standing there in a long navy dress. “Yeah. I’m just having one of those days.”

  I leave the desk and meet her at the other side. I place my hands on her cheeks and hold her still. I gaze into her beautiful hazelnut eyes. I want to lock every feature into my memory.

  “I know we’ve only known each other a few days. I know you live in Scotland, and I live here, but I don’t want to lose contact with you. I feel this deep, consuming connection to you, and I can’t get you out of my head.”

  She licks her lips delicately and does this nervous thing where she bites the side of her lip. I just want to be the one to do the biting.

  “I want to keep in contact with you too. Long distance friendships are hard, though.”

  “Who said I want you to be my friend, Hallie? I want you. I don’t care how we do it, but we need to at least give it a try. Please say you’re with me.”

  She nods slightly, or as much as my hands allow her to. “I’m with you, Jack. I think I’ve been with you since we bumped into one another on our airplane.”

  “That’s really good to know.” I bend my head down and connect our lips. The simple kiss ignites something deep within my heart.

  The sudden clapping of hands makes me pull apart from Hallie. I lean my forehead against hers as my staff make a show of me in the middle of my own hotel. I will make them pay for this, but right now, the beautiful smile on Hallie’s face makes everything worthwhile.

  “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

  And that’s exactly what we do.

  Epilogue

  One Year later

  “I can’t believe you’ve packed everything up to move out here,” says Sally as we step out of the cab outside of Jack’s hotel.

  He’s asked me a lot over the last six months to move over here with him, but I’ve kept putting it off. I made the odd trip here, and he has been home to Glasgow, but each time we leave one another it gets harder.

  “You do crazy things for love, Sal. I can’t help it. My heart is here.”

  “Aww, that’s so sweet. Come on. Let’s find your man.”

  I pull my luggage in behind me. The moment I step into the open reception area, I see Jack talking to a man with a suit on. The minute he looks my way, he does a double take. When he realises it is me, he makes his excuses and jogs over to me. I don’t get a chance to speak because he crushes his lips to mine. My heart is pounding in my chest, and every nerve ending is responding to this man.

  “I can’t believe you’re here. How long do I have you for this time?”

  I wrap my arms around his neck and play with the hair at the back of his head—in the way I know sends him wild.

  “I don’t have any plans on leaving you again. I hope you can find space for me.”

  “What? Are you being serious? You’re staying?”

  I nod. “For as long as you want me.”

  He lifts me in his arms and swings me around. “You have just made me the happiest man alive.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, because just being here with you makes me the happiest woman alive.”

  Who would have thought that a summer holiday would end up being the best week of my life and lead to a happy ever after?

  I didn’t, but I’m glad I found Jack, because I’ve never felt as happy or at peace. Tenerife is where I’m meant to be.

  Chapter One

  There are times in your life that really shape who you are. Sometimes they th
row your world off its axis; other times they gravitate you towards a new axis. April 23rd 2009, my world was thrown so far off, I didn’t know how I’d ever find my way back to myself. But I survived. And that summer, I found my new normal. The summer everything changed…

  Diiiing, doong. I lean into the doorbell, the sun scorching my back and the scent of summer swirling. I straighten sharply, one hand tugging the hem of my Pink Floyd T-shirt, twirling my hair with the other. And I wait, as calm and patient as I can. I press it again.

  A dog barks loudly and excitedly from somewhere in the house, and I hear a deep reassurance and the sound of heavy footsteps before the door opens to reveal a slightly sweaty, slightly dirty, slightly most beautiful boy I’ve ever seen: skin tanned in a way you only get from spending a lot of time outdoors; arm muscles more defined than those of any boy my age I’ve ever met; thick, dark brown hair that curls just slightly and flops down into hazel eyes framed by thick lashes that must be the envy of any girl he meets.

  He’s shirtless. Mud is caked on his arms and torso, and he wears a pair of faded, black jeans slung low on his hips with a white T-shirt tucked into the back pocket. A filthy pair of gardening gloves cover his hands, but I notice a leather band on his arm bearing a metal anchor, covered in symbols, and a cord hanging around his neck with another unusual symbol carved into an attached piece of slate.

  His eyes pierce me, assessing me head to toe, and I wonder what he sees. My long wavy hair, dyed a variety of blues, greens and purples, is pulled over one shoulder in a fishtail braid. With pale skin that never tans and vibrant, violet irises, I’m wearing distressed, denim shorts; gladiator sandals; a vintage band tee and a bottle-green kimono. Various bangles adorn my wrists, and several long necklaces hang between my breasts.

  He raises an eyebrow, and I realise I’ve been staring open-mouthed for several minutes.

  “Erm, hi,” I stutter, blushing furiously. “I’m here to see Ms Lancaster? I’m her granddaughter.”

  He smirks in response and nods. “Follow me, Ariel.”

  “It’s Vera.” My voice solidifies—it is ice not shaking air, now.

  His eyes flick to my hair again. “Whatever you say, Ariel.”

  I roll my eyes in defeat, not even bothering to point out that The Little Mermaid has red hair in the movie, and follow him down a floral-wallpapered corridor with the ever-present knots in my stomach like chains on my soul.

  We walk past bedroom doors, through a quaint kitchen and a homey living room and out to the most breathtaking sight I have seen in too long—green everywhere. Grass plants, trees and stems with the most beautiful flowers stand proudly in damp, life-giving soil. I inhale the vibrancy of it all with every breath and stare around in wonder. Maybe it is just a garden. Maybe it’s regular and ordinary and wouldn’t impact another soul like this. But to me, this scene is rain in a drought. I am at home in a place I don’t remember and meeting a woman I haven’t seen in five years.

  Hope stirs.

  I breathe in the scent of life, my fingers automatically tapping along to the nineteen-fifties music that plays from a speaker, and force a relaxed smile as my grandmother stands from where she’s been tending to a flowerbed.

  She’s a stooped, plump woman with cropped, grey curls framing a weathered, wrinkled face. But her eyes... Her eyes are the same violet, the same almond shape, and they twinkle with happiness and a mischief that makes her seem decades younger.

  I have just enough time to take this in before a blur of black fur charges into my legs, almost bowling me over with the force of its excitement. The barrel of a Labrador had apparently waited patiently for as long as it could but now dances around me, barking excitedly, its tail wagging so violently it shakes its whole body. I think I’m in puppy love. I flop onto the grass instantly, hugging the furry ball of energy to me and fussing her like every dog loves to be fussed.

  “Vera, love, this is Tessa. We’re so thrilled to have you staying with us this summer.”

  I can’t help but grin at my grandmother as she talks about the lab like she is also human. Maybe some people would think she is a kooky, old lady, but her attitude warms my broken heart.

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Tessa,” I say, giggling and shaking a soft paw, “and thank you for letting me come stay, Grandmother.”

  She chuckles indulgently and shakes her head. “It’s Grandma, Rosemary or Rosie, dear—no need for such formalities. And this here is Jakob Brook; he lives next door. We were just doing a spot of gardening.” She gestures to the beautiful boy, and I can’t help a wave of relief: for a moment, I’d wondered if she had a much younger boyfriend.

  He clears his throat and smiles an open, genuine smile at Rosemary before turning to me. “Call me Brook. I’ve put your luggage in your bedroom, so you can settle in when you’re ready.” And then, to Rosemary, he says, “I’ll head out now and let you catch up, but I’ll come by tomorrow to walk Tessa.”

  “Ahh, such a good boy you are. Thank you.” She’s all smiles, and I get the feeling he helps her a lot. Guilt swells in my gut: does she need a lot of help? Surely my father would employ someone if he knew…

  Chapter Two

  I wake feeling more relaxed and well-rested than I have in months, maybe even years. I can hear the faintest notes of birdsong outside and the snoring breaths of Tessa, who has decided she simply must sleep by my feet. The morning sun glows around the pastel curtains—powder blue with a strawberry print that is so wrong it’s right—and I burrow further into the feather down duvet, eliciting one of those incredible stretches that starts at your spine and travels through your whole body.

  My heart feels lighter than I thought it possibly could again, and I feel like I’m breathing in peace instead of oxygen—feeling it travel in my blood, through my whole body—and just as it’s used up, another breath of peace is inhaled.

  It’s been a week since I first arrived: a week of music and gardening and losing myself between the pages of books; a week of more carbs than I’ve ever eaten at one time; a week of hope and light and freedom; a week so startlingly opposite to my life back home—a life I don’t think I ever want to return to.

  Blurry eyed, I stumble in the direction of the bathroom I share with Rosie, relieving my bladder, brushing my teeth and washing my face. It’s not until I leave the bathroom and walk straight into Brook that I remember I’m wearing my favourite sleep attire—an only slightly oversized and slightly see-through white T-shirt—and that he can probably see the satin knickers I’m wearing and definitely my lack of bra and the outline of my nipples. Why am I this person? He grins a wicked, pirate grin, full of dark promises and temptations. I feel an alien tightening in my stomach and a need for something I don’t understand.

  I try to pull the shirt down to cover my underwear, but this only pulls the material tight over my boobs. Blushing furiously and stuttering out some semblance of an apology, I crab walk back to my room, one hand still attempting to pull down the hem of my shirt, the other tight across my chest.

  Why did this pirate boy have the ability to leave me a helpless, stuttering goo? I know plenty of boys back home—I even lost my virginity last year—and yet never before have I felt chemistry like I’ve been feeling this week. A smirk thrown my way and the butterflies in my stomach turned into a swarm of bats. The sound of his voice singing along to the fifties and sixties music I’d learnt Rosie always played when gardening, and his sure hands digging the soil and tending the plants—everything he seemed to do—sent my hormones and my heartbeat racing. I hadn’t been looking for this when I arrived on Rosie’s doorstep. I’d just needed time away; I’d needed time to get better—to heal. A summer fling had never been part of the plan. But I can’t resist him.

  I dress promptly, knowing Brook is waiting for me. This past week, I’ve accompanied him when he’s walked Tessa: once in the morning and once at night. Without fail. I can’t help how it moves me that he helps his elderly neighbour so much, but, at heart, they are family. I kno
w better than anyone that blood doesn’t make you family: having two parents who—while I never want for food, clothes or shelter—don’t want anything to do with me. I was raised by my nanny, and there’s something incredibly lonely about having the most parental figure in your life be someone that’s paid to be there—paid to love and nurture you. Maybe that’s why I did it. Maybe the loneliness was too loud for my silent life.

  I shimmy into neon pink, denim shorts, slide on my You Me at Six racer-back top—the black one with the sides cut out deep and with three narrow tears on the right shoulder—and slip an assortment of bangles onto my wrists. I stumble as I shove my feet into my turquoise high tops, nervous energy biting at my heels. I skip over to where he’s patiently waiting for me at the door, leash in hand and Tessa wiggling excitedly at his feet, demanding to be petted.

  Wonder if that’d work for me? I’m unashamed to admit that the idea of his hands all over me has tendrils of desire smoking through my body.

  “Ready to go, mermaid?” he asks, a patient smile tugging at those full, pink lips.

  I am.

  He lights a cigarette the second we get outside, offering me one in a nonchalant kind of way—like he wouldn’t have an opinion whether I took one or not. I do. I don’t smoke often, but inhaling the sweet, calming nicotine as the sun bears down on me with just the right amount of heat to make the gentle breeze inviting, my whirling world pauses. Once. And takes its first breath.

  When I first met this pirate boy last week, I assumed everything and knew nothing—something I get the impression he deals with a lot. Between the smoking, the beautiful tattoo of a compass that appears to hover over a classic pirate’s treasure map (done illegally on his right bicep), the permanent slacker aesthetic and overall ‘bad boy’ vibe that radiates from him like a defence mechanism, it is easy to judge this pirate boy. It is harder to put aside those assumptions and take the time to know him. But to do that is the true gift with him—to know his kind soul, his generous spirit and his overall goodness that draws me to him with every beat of my heart…