Page 88 of Rags to Royals

“A plan?”

“Yes.” I take her hand and start toward her little office where I assume she has her keys and other things she needs to close up for the weekend.

“But…no hotel?” she asks.

“Who said that?”

Chapter 19

Scarlett

This is definitely not the Hampton Inn with free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast.

I wonder for a second if Cian knows about free breakfast at motels. Or that people sometimes have to pay for wi-fi.

But then I step onto the hotel elevator and as the doors swish shut quietly and the soft instrumental music drifts to me and Cian pushes the button for the twenty-second floor, I realize that no, he probably doesn’t.

And he’s still a good guy. So that’s okay.

But he stays in places like palaces. And the Windsor Court hotel. In the Presidential Suite.Even when he’s entertaining a woman he picked up at a strip club just for the weekend.

Ilovedthat suite. I’d had no idea hotels had rooms like that. The room has a baby grand piano in it for fuck’s sake. Who needs apianoin their hotel room? It’s also got two bedrooms, but Henry is still staying in a room on the floor below us. Because…well, the last time we were here we made use ofallthe rooms,just the two of us. Including both bathrooms. And both terraces. And yes, I was loud.

I feel my heart rate speed up and work on not laughing giddily.

I’d realized we were headed to New Orleans as soon as we pulled onto the exit for the airport. And I love that we’re back in New Orleans where we met. We’re having a do-over of that magical weekend. But this time we both know everything.

I didn’t, however, realize how this would all affect me when we actually got here. I’m hit with excitement and, okay, lust. But also the strangest sense of nostalgia. I never thought I’d be back here. I definitely never thought I’d be back here with Cian.

God, our weekend together had truly been like a fantasy.

The sense of dropping back into a dream had hit me when we’d pulled into the front circle, and I’d seen the fountain and gorgeous trees and flowers surrounding the hotel entrance. The scent of the hotel lobby, the décor, the way Cian had rested his hand on my hip possessively as we checked in all thrust me back in time and I’d found myself swallowing against the emotions that made my throat feel suddenly tight.

I’d honestly wondered if I’d ever come back to New Orleans. I’d loved living in the city, but even though I hadn’t consciously made the decision, I realized as we walked through the airport that I’d put “fun weekend get-aways and vacations” on my list of things I didn’t get to do anymore.

Oh, people in Emerald go on vacation. Some girlfriend groups maybe even do weekend girl trips. But I’d realized thatIdidn’t thinkIwas going to do them anymore.

People would judge. People would decide that I was spending my money frivolously if I took Mariah on a trip or being an irresponsible parent if I left her at home. If anyone knew I’d jetted off to New Orleans this weekend, they would assume I was spending my time down on Bourbon Street rather than wonderif I was at the numerous parks and museums and amazing restaurants.

And so what if I did? Bourbon Street was a lot of fun and enjoying the people watching and the drinks and the music didn’t necessarily mean anyone was doing anything wrong. Anyone who visited New Orleans from out of town should spend at least an hour on Bourbon just for fun.

But no one in Emerald would listen tomeexplain that.

Which was really fucking depressing.

I’m lost in my thoughts when the elevator stops on the twenty-first floor and Henry gets off. He’s been grumpy and quiet the entire trip. Not that the flight was all that long. But when I first met Henry and he and Ruby were together, he was laid back and funny and very likable. Now he’s broody and bitchy.

But I can relate. It was how I felt often after I found out that Cian was looking for me and I told Henry that I didn’t want to see him.

Okay, after Iliedto Henry about not wanting to see Cian.

Henry tells Cian, “Call if you need me” and then turns right as the elevator slides shut. Cian and I don’t say anything as we get off on the next floor.

I feel my heart pounding and I blow out a long breath as I wait for him to unlock the door to the suite.

I will never forget any detail of the room inside.

It was not only the most surprising and sexy weekend of my life, but it was by far the most luxurious.

---