Page 31 of You Make Me Feel
If Zach Fitzgerald thinks he can make all the decisions about my life, I’m going to reeducate him.
I pull my car into an empty visitor space outside the Grand Liberty Hotel. The building’s bright white exterior sparkles beneath the sunlight, the long porch lined with designer chairs and hanging baskets overflowing with flowers. The place looks like it belongs on the cover of a glossy travel magazine, not part of a sleepy island town.
My sandals hit the painted wood as I walk up the wide steps, and into the main entrance. I nod at the reception staff who know me from my many visits bringing books to guests who need a holiday read.
“Hey Sadie,” Lianne, the day receptionist says. “More deliveries?”
“Actually, no.” I shake my head. “I’m here to see Zach Fitzgerald. Could you let him know I’m here?”
She nods. “Is he expecting you?”
I bite down a laugh, because no, I really don’t think he is.
“It’s a surprise,” I tell her. “But I think he’ll see me.”
“Give me a minute,” She walks to the back of the reception area and lifts up a phone, murmuring into it with a voice so low I can’t hear the words. Then she looks back over to me.
“Mr. Fitzgerald says you can go through. She points at a door marked ‘private’. “His apartment is the last one on the right.”
She buzzes me through, and I’m suddenly in an oak-paneled corridor that smells faintly of polish and sea air. Light pours through tall windows on one side, reflecting against framed photographs of Liberty’s coastline, its beaches and boats captured in soft gold tones.
I walk past three doors. One has Hudson Fitzgearld’s name outside. The next has Main Office written on the brass plaque. The two next to it have ‘owner’s apartments’ written on them. I head for the one on the right, as directed.
My steps feel heavy as I reach the final oversized oak door. Though it’s closed, his voice carries through, low and graveled.
“You’re doing well. Keep at it. And call me when you need me.”
Dear God, if Mylene heard that, her praise kink would probably explode.
There’s a pause, and then a faint crackle from the speakerphone, a reply from whoever he’s speaking to.
Zach exhales. “Just try to get some rest. You need sleep.”
My fingers curl tighter around my bag strap. His voice is soft. Almost cajoling. Like he’s talking to a woman.
Why do I hate that thought?
I raise my hand and knock against the door.
“Come in, it’s open.”
He’s sitting at a large desk by the window, a laptop open in front of him, sunlight glinting off the sharp line of his jaw. His sleeves are rolled up, his tie loose, and the faint shadow of stubble shades his jaw. He looks tired, focused, and entirely too good.
He looks up when he sees me, surprise flickering across his face before his expression smooths into something unreadable.
“Sadie.” His voice is steady, but his eyes narrow slightly as he reads the words written across my chest. God, I’d forgotten I was wearing my HEA kink top. “How can I help you?”
His gaze lingers on my chest a moment too long. Tiny goosebumps break out on my skin.
“You resigned from the committee.”
He pushes his laptop closed, like he knows this isn’t a fleeting visit. “Coffee?” he asks.
“I just had one.” And I don’t need you being nice to me. “Mylene told me you resigned. Apparently Jesse told her.”
The corners of his lips curl and I hate how attractive he is when he smiles. He should do it more often. “The Liberty grapevine. It’s always fun how fast that works.” His eyes meet mine and I feel that jolt again. Warmth rushes through me as he stands and runs a hand through his hair. “And yes, I figured after yesterday it was best if I’m not involved. I won’t be stealing your…” he trails off, and I remember my words of yesterday.
You stole my fantasies.
