Page 27 of The Exception

“Night.”

She turned for the elevators, and I braced my shoulder on the doorframe, trying to rein myself in.What the fuck are you doing?

That had been so uncharacteristic. So unexpected and spontaneous. When I’d asked Lily to come back to my room, I’d planned on asking her about her reviews. Not proposing that she become my wife. But my gut had told me to ask her, and my gut was never wrong.

I sighed, watching as she disappeared into the elevator. Then, I closed the door to my suite before grabbing my computer to send a quick email to Carson with some instructions. With that finished, I debated my next steps. I spun my grandfather’s ring on my pinkie finger, tempted to log on to the hotel’s security system to track the cameras for Liliana.

What the hell was wrong with me? I buried my head in my hands.

I’d never been this…concerned about a woman who wasn’t family. But something about Lily had me twisted up in knots. Or maybe it was just the situation.

I had a lot riding on this. It was an unorthodox solution, to be sure. But that was nothing new. I was used to devising creative solutions to complex problems. I had to in my line of work.

Based on everything she’d told me, and everything I’d researched online about her architect, the plans, and the area, I wasn’t worried about my investment in the château. My gut told me it was a good bet, and my gut never steered me wrong.

As to my future wife, I supposed only time would tell. Fortunately, we were working with a strong foundation. We knew and respected each other. And our history would make our love story more believable. We definitely had chemistry—that wouldn’t be a problem.

At least, I hoped it wouldn’t. Judging by my body’s reaction to her, I wasn’t so sure.

I took a deep breath and straightened, a restless energy coursing through me. I tapped my fingers against my thigh, beating out a fast-paced rhythm.Shower, right. I need to shower.

I switched on the water, setting the temperature to warm. Steam billowed over the glass enclosure, and I stripped out of my clothes before stepping inside. I pumped some shampoo into my hand, the scent of lavender relaxing and familiar. It was the smell of home. Of my garden and memories of my grandmother. Of hard work, understanding, love.

It had been fourteen years since my grandparents’ passing, and while their loss had become more bearable, I still missed them deeply. I missed my grandfather’s steadying presence. His confidence and surety. I’d always looked to him for guidance and answers. And I’d always turned to my grandmother for her silent understanding.

And now, they were gone.

I inhaled slowly for a count of four and then exhaled on a long, slow breath as I pushed away the memories. I finished washing up and then dried myself before putting on a clean robe. There was a knock at the door—short and swift. Carson.

He’d been fast, or I’d been preoccupied.

I headed over and checked the peephole, then unlocked the door to let him in. “Any issues?”

Carson shook his head. “Two new phones, just as you requested.”

I took the plain one from him. “Thank you.”

I was about to slide it into my pocket when it started vibrating with unread notifications. I silenced it but quickly skimmed the family text thread where Jasper had kindly shared some pictures of me in the pool. I ignored them. I’d deal with the second phone once Carson was gone.

When I glanced up at Carson, his attention was on Liliana’s pile of wet clothes, a curious expression on his face.

“Sorry. I—” His eyes darted between my robe and the bedroom door, which was closed. He lowered his voice. “I didn’t realize you had company.”

“I don’t.”

“Oh.” He rocked on his heels. “Okay. I just assumed…”

He clearly had questions, but he was smart enough not to ask them. It was one of the things I valued most in him—or any assistant—apart from loyalty. Discretion.

“How’d the rest of the event go?” I asked.

“It was great,” he said. “Everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves.”

“Good.”

“Did you want to make a statement about the party? Several guests captured photos and videos of the—” he cleared his throat “—incident. But Jackson and I already had them removed from the devices before they were returned to their owners.”

Shit.I hadn’t even considered that. I’d been so focused on Liliana, on my proposal, that I hadn’t even stopped to think about how our fall into the pool might reflect badly on the hotel or overshadow the event and the opening. That was odd. I pushed away the thought, chalking it up to stress over my precarious situation with the board.

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