Page 32 of Dare to Surrender (NY Dares 1)
She snapped a bracelet on my wrist and went on to explain. “Just line up the ‘E’ to the one on your door and the lock disengages. A little bit of technology we borrowed from Disney,” she said with a smile.
I laughed. “This is as far from Disney as you can get,” I murmured. “Unless you’re in the Haunted Mansion.”
Connie merely treated me to her smile. “This will allow you into the spa, the gym, and any other areas of the resort you might wish to visit while you are here.”
I would be working, not lounging, but I decided not to question her again. Surely I’d find Lucy soon, and all would be explained.
“Ready to see your accommodations?”
I nodded, and Connie gestured across the lobby. I followed her, surprised when we stopped near a stone wall. “Where is the elevat—”
Before I could finish my sentence, the wall opened, revealing the hidden lift. “Oh my.”
We stepped on, and the doors closed behind us. “How thoroughly modern.”
“Sensors,” the other woman explained.
“Lift your hand and align the bracelet with the penthouse.” I did as she asked, and soon we were in motion.
In complete awe, I wondered what awaited me next. I didn’t have to wonder for long. The doors glided open.
“Your penthouse awaits,” Connie said, sweeping her arm, gesturing for me to go first.
Unlike the darkened lobby, white floors and a wall of windows letting bright sunshine into the room beckoned, and I stepped directly into the luxurious suite. The enormity of the space hit me at once, and I shook my head, overwhelmed. Marbled floors, mirrored walls, plush carpeting in a living room with a cream couch and dark wood furniture. And a baby grand piano sitting in the center.
“No, this is wrong,” I said, turning back to Connie, but the elevator doors finished closing on my words, and she’d disappeared.
Hesitantly and feeling like Alice in Wonderland, I made my way into the suite. Surely the other woman would return and tell me there had been an error and I was in one of the regular rooms on a lower floor. In the meantime, I decided to explore.
I glanced around, making my way to the bedroom, surprised to see that my suitcase had been brought up and placed on a luggage stand near the closet.
“That was fast.” And odd, like everything else on the island so far.
Unsure of what to do with myself, especially since butterflies had once again had taken up residence in the pit of my stomach, I walked back to the foyer area. My hands went to the faux pearls at my neck, fingering them nervously. I’d bought them with the island-appropriate clothing for this trip.
I looked out the window, the view of the tranquil blue ocean and beautiful island below a panorama of indescribable beauty. Something I’d enjoy more if I understood what I was doing here.
I heard the whooshing sound of the elevator doors, and relief poured through me. “Lucy?” I asked, spinning around. Finally, everything would begin to make sense.
“Not Lucy.” The familiar masculine voice wound its way through my veins, easing my fears, answering every unasked question.
Excitement flooded through me. It had been so long, and I’d missed him so much. To this day, it didn’t matter that the time we’d shared together had been brief. To me, it meant everything.
He was just as I remembered, with his stern expression, features carved into what I considered perfection, full lips, strong jaw, and those intense eyes focused on me. A white dress shirt, sleeves rolled immaculately, and black slacks, with more casual shoes than his norm, completed the outfit.
He stared at me, his expression unreadable, maybe even vulnerable, and my heart thudded inside my chest. I studied him in return. His handsome face had occupied every dream I’d had, but he was here now. A reality. My reality, I thought, those sinfully sexy eyes eating me alive.
“Iz.”
He held out his arms.
And my world suddenly righted itself once more.
I ran to him and jumped into his waiting embrace, wanting to be as close as possible. I clung to him, running my hands up his strong back, threading up through his silky hair. Hair that had grown longer since I’d seen him last.
There’d been many times in the last months when I had tried to convince myself the connection between us could not have been as strong as I remembered. The desire not as potent. That distance and might-have-beens were clouding my judgment and memory.
I’d been wrong.
