Page 25 of The Heart You Kept

“Yes,” I say hopefully, please tell me that you want to run away together or something equally as crazy.

“Spend another night with me.” He readjusts my robe to protect me from the cold.

This is my chance; I want to know more about him.

Hell, I want to know everything there is to know.

“On one condition,” I tell him.

“What’s that?”

“I want to leave this place.”

“What?” He frowns.

“Not leave, leave. I want to….” I shrug. “Explore the village, go for a walk in the sunshine.” I smile softly. “Maybe go on a date to a restaurant tonight?”

“Doe….” He sighs, unimpressed that I want to break the rules of the hotel.

“It’s just one day.” I kiss his big lips as I try to talk him around. “And then we get another night here.”

His eyes hold mine.

“We’re never going to see each other again,” I whisper. “I hate the thought. Give me my one day.”

“This was not our arrangement and I really don’t….”

“You asked for another night too.” I cut him off.

He looks out over the valley below as he thinks this over.

“Or we can just say goodbye now.” I stand, annoyed that he even has to think about it.

“No, no.” He pulls me back down onto his lap. “One more night.”

“And one day.”

“Yes.” He holds my face in his hands and kisses me, our lips linger over each other’s and a warm fuzzy feeling passes between us.

More than just lust, less familiar than love. A whole new ballgame to the one we signed up for.

This goodbye is going to suck.

“Are you ready?” Mr. Doe calls from the living area.

“Uh-huh.” I grab my purse and walk out and he frowns as he looks me up and down.

“Where are your coat and hat?”

I glance down at myself. “I don’t need them, do I?”

“It’s cold outside, you’ll freeze half to death.”

“Oh.” I shrug. “When I was packing I didn’t think it would be this cold. I’ll be fine, we’ll be walking anyway so I’ll be able to keep warm.”

He rolls his eyes. “Hang on, you can wear something of mine.” He walks into the spare room and I follow him. His suitcase is on the luggage rack and he opens it up.

Everything is folded and organized to precision and I frown as I stare into it. “Who packed your bag, a drill sergeant?”