Page 11 of Rules of Engagement
"Because I want it."
He gave her back the tote and took her hand in his, and she couldn't help but think how big and strong and masculine his palm felt as he tugged her along the hallway. "Are you going to post a bad review?"
"No."
"Recommend me to an engaged couple?"
"Don't know any other than Lincoln and Amelia."
Then why take her card? She pondered the possibilities and glanced around, frowning at the numbers posted at the beginning of various hallways. "We're lost," she said. "I think my room is the other way."
"It's this way," Carter countered without pausing. "So what's his name?"
"Whose name?"
"The man who left you so jaded you don't believe in love."
"Shhhhh," she said, digging in her heels and forcing him to stop. "It's not marketab-ble to be a wedding planner who doesn't believe inlove." She shook her hand loose from his to lift it, pinky raised, toward him. "You can't tellanyone. I mean it. Promise."
Carter looked like he was torn between laughter and disbelief, but he dutifully lifted his hand and pinky swore to keep her bitterness to himself.
"Eliza… can I tellyoua secret?"
"I s'pose." Oh, her head feltreallyfuzzy. Maybe she shouldn't have downed the last of her champagne before leaving the lobby.
Eliza tried to pull her hand away again, but his finger tightened over hers. Carter used his hold to gently tug her closer, and he leaned low, until his lips were near her ear.
"I don't like it that you don't believe in love."
"You… don't?"
That smile. This one made her tired toes curl in her comfortable flats and, dang, it made her want to be one of those women who did bad things. To him. With him. Had he always smelled sogood?
"Hey? Eliza?"
She blinked up at him and found his gaze narrowed on her again, even though the hallway spun around them like those shots they did in the movies that always made her look away before she lost her popcorn and cherry Twizzlers. "Yeah?"
"You still with me, sweetheart?"
"I need to lie down."
"Come on, sweetheart. Let's get to your room before you pass out on me."
Her room. She couldn't wait to lie down.
And yet… her bed was big and cold andempty.
Maybe she should get a dog? Then she'd at least have someone to sleep with who wouldn't cheat on her. Someone loyal and loving and always happy to see her when she got home. "Doodles are cute."
"Pardon?"
"I need a dog."
His expression sharpened at her statement and the change in subject, and he urged her a little faster down the hall.
Finally they made it to the door of her room, and she watched as he swiped the plastic over the pad and the door unlocked with a flash of green and three short beeps.
Carter pushed the door open and held it with his foot, gently ushering her inside, where she leaned against the closest wall for support.
