Page 65 of Hottie on Her Shelf
“You’d think twenty-first century technology would’ve left hide-a-keys in the dust. Shouldn’t there be voice print recognition, or a retinal scan?”
“I’m sure there is back at Cygnet Labs. I wouldn’t be surprised if my sister does a full biometric scan just to grab a stapler refill. But this B&B is a little more old school.”
“A B&B? I figured this was a solo rental cottage.” Hallie twisted around. “I don’t see any other buildings.”
“They’re spread out for privacy, but there’s a main building, with a kitchen, so I promise you’ll be fed.”
“That was my goal for the weekend, being fed,” she teased. Both hoping that he’d get her subtle double entendre and worried that she wouldn’t have a strong enough follow-up if he did.
So much heat flared in his eyes that Hallie took a step back. An answering warmth pooled between her legs in response. “Don’t joke, Hallie. I wanted us to get away from all that campaign crap. Just be ourselves. If all we do is sit on the porch and watch the water, that’ll be good.” He angled forward to whisper in her ear, “But I’m hoping like crazy that we don’t.”
It was precisely what she hoped. Hallie just hadn’t known when to expect it. There weren’t any rules she was aware of for taking it one day at a time. Plus, there was the whole complication of them being opponents.
And the added complication of Fitz being the end goal of every woman within a hundred-mile radius. Handsome, charming, powerful, and topped off by being genuinely nice. And Hallie being just a librarian.
The benefit to being a librarian, though, was that she read a lot. She might not have racked up as many, ah, intimate encounters as the rumor mill attributed to Fitz. There were, however, hundreds of literary sexual experiences filling her head that she couldn’t wait to enact with him.
She gathered up more moxie than it had taken to first sit on that dais as a candidate and said in an attempt at a throaty purr, “It…doesn’t even have to be the bed.”
Fitz threw back his head and laughed, his Adam’s apple working up and down. “Whatever, wherever, sweetheart. You name it, we’ll do it.”
That was more than a bit terrifying, like those restaurants with eighteen-page menus. Too many choices. Hallie handed over the key. “Let’s lower those expectations. No paraphernalia or anything that requires stretching before or after.”
“Good to know your limits.” After juggling the bags under one arm, he opened the door and bowed. “Welcome to your getaway, Ms. Librarian.”
Awash in curiosity, she stepped into the cottage. Immediately, her eyes went to the wide glass double doors that looked out across the bay. The view was stunning, but as she walked closer, other items drew her attention, like a top hat, balanced askew on its brim. A decanter of deep red liquid with a calligraphy tag around the neck that read Drink Me.
An oversize pocket watch balanced against a gilt-edged mirror with fanciful etchings of caterpillars and rabbits chasing each other around the frame. A set of leather-bound Lewis Carroll books were propped on the fireplace mantel by a jaunty bronze of a standing rabbit in a vest.
“Oh my goodness. This cottage is all about Alice in Wonderland?”
“Yes. Each cottage has a literary theme. I couldn’t think of anything more appropriate for my librarian.”
Hallie was so very touched by his planning. No man had ever planned a date specifically tailored toher preferences. Heck, she wouldn’t have even known what to ask for, really. Fitz’s thoughtfulness blew her away. It was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her. And they weren’t even officially dating.
Hallie was suddenly glad they didn’t have a label for what they were doing, because it wasn’t like any other relationship she’d been in. They’d started off as enemies, softened a bit to rivals, and then become friends. Only a good friend—rather than someone who just wanted to get her horizontal—could plan a trip like this.
She spun in a circle, taking in more special details like the quote stenciled on the wall over the hot tub, and the hearts embroidered on the bed’s copious throw pillows. “This is absolutely marvelous.”
“I’m relieved you like it. I know some people have their…what are they called…fandoms?” Fitz rubbed at his forehead, looking adorably muddled and out of his element. “My sister has very strong views on the different film versions of Pride and Prejudice. Couldn’t tell you what they are, but I have heard her go on about them multiple times. So, I couldn’t risk booking us the Jane Austen cottage.”
“I’ve always loved Alice. She’s an ordinary girl who falls into a fantasy world. What could be better?” Hallie threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you.” Just as quickly, she squealed and pivoted away from him. “Is that a mushroom?”
She pointed to the three-tiered tray laden with tiny sandwiches and pastries. The top layer had macaroons and exquisitely detailed marzipan mushrooms.
“A full afternoon tea comes with the room. It’s in the book, right?”
“Yes. Yes, it is.” It was like the Disney film come to life…except with a king-sized bed smack in the middle of it.
“We get dinner, too. Later. Whenever you’re ready.”
“I adore everything about this.”
Fitz pulled out the tufted red-velvet chair at the table centered in front of the windows. “Do you want to start with tea?”
How chivalrous. He’d brought her out here but was letting Hallie call the shots, set the pace. Part of her wanted to ooh and ah over each story-centric item. Take a million pictures for her rarely used Instagram account and then dig into the tower of sweets.
Priorities, though. First and foremost, Hallie needed to show Fitz how very grateful she was that he’d made such an effort. “I think it’d be more strategic to work up an appetite.” She tossed off the cream scarf she’d tied around her shoulders for the drive. It floated to the chaise lounge in three long swoops. Then she hooked a finger in the neck of his bright green polo shirt. “What do you think?”
