Just like a flower that can bring a smile to the saddest face. It’s quick and undeniable.
Her eyes are wide with surprise, the large green orbs sparkling like gems from the tears swimming in her emerald oceans. “Rowan, you don’t have to do that.” Everly wipes a tear threatening to fall off her lower lash line.
“I know, but this is important. And I know about your situation. It isn’t fair.” I mean that, too. I’m not just saying that. No one deserves to have their entire life ruined.
Her eyes soften around the edges as she looks at me, and just seeing her, that honey brown hair, those jade eyes, it makes my heart skip a beat from the cold coma I put it under. I hate how much I love her beauty.
“I’ll pay you back,” she says.
“No, you won’t. Only Dad could afford a place like this. No offense,” I hurry to say. I don’t want her to think she doesn’t have the potential to make a lot of money. She does. Everyone does. I just got lucky.
“No offense taken. I know I won’t ever be a billionaire. I’m okay with it.” She blows a piece of hair out of her face from the side of her pale, pink lips. I always loved how the top curves like cupid’s bow.
This is the most we have talked to each other in over six years, and it took something as awful as our parents going missing to make it happen, but even when it is all said and done and we find them, I know she and I will go our separate ways again. I just can’t be around her without loving her because when I’m away from her, I numb the yearning I have for her.
When she is near, like she is right now, smelling like a bouquet of freshly cut wildflowers, the bulletproof glass I put around my soul to keep her away shatters. And without effort or attempt, she owns me all over again.
“Your room keys,” the clerk hands over one small envelope of key cards. As in, for one room. One. That’s it.
“Oh, no. I believe you misunderstood. I was only paying for her room, but we still need two rooms.” Because lady, if I have to be within the same four walls as Everly Madison, I may just lose my fucking mind.
“Yes, I’m sorry, Mr. Michaels. This next week is booked, and the only room we have available is the penthouse suite.”
“Of course it is,” Everly mumbles under her breath.
I lean my arms against the counter and give the clerk the smile women melt themselves over. I flash my straight, white teeth, and make sure to show the dimples. Dimples work every time.
“I’m going to need the other room…” I dart my eyes to her name tag, “Becky. That’s my stepsister.” I have to hold back a little bile that works its way up my throat. To think of Everly as my sister is repulsive.
“While it is great news that she isn’t your girlfriend because that means we can get a drink when I get off...”
No, we can’t.
Everly snorts, not hiding her disdain for the raven-haired clerk.
Becky clicks her tongue when she sees Everly’s reaction, “…but it is the only room we have. I apologize. I’ve ordered complimentary champagne for you to be delivered to your room.”
“Right. Okay. Thanks.” I click the key cards on the counter and grab my bag.
Everly shoves her tote strap up her shoulder, and she seems like she’s dreading this just as much. I take offense to that. I shouldn’t because I feel the same. I don’t want her to dread it, but at the same time, I do.
What a wicked, wicked world we live in.
I press the button to the elevator and watch the numbers illuminate, as the red glow shows how much longer of a wait we have. Everly stays a few feet back, trying to stay out of my personal space, but I feel her.
And I know she feels me too.
It’s the same every time we are together. The call of her heart makes me want to answer. The heat of her body is familiar, like home, and it is so hard not to just fall into it like an everyday routine.
The ding of the elevator snaps me out of my haze. Silver doors slide open to reveal an empty cart. I hold my arm against the elevator door to keep it from closing. “After you,” I nod.
“Um, thanks.” She keeps her head down to hide her eyes under her hair.
She hides herself in the far-right corner, trying to make herself invisible as she leans against the mirrored glass.
The same glass that shows all of her curves.
The curves I got to taste first.
I still feel smug about that. I smirk at the memory and rub my hand over my mouth to rub off the humor. When I walk into the elevator, I stand by the buttons, keeping a few feet of distance between us. Her wildflower scent fills the small cart, and out of habit, something as simple as breathing, I inhale. And she wraps around my lungs like wayward petals swirling in the breeze.
I scan the card over the black pad and press the button that says PH. The metal box creaks and jolts as it starts to life. The lights flicker, and the elevator moans, and in a sudden moment, the power shuts off. The elevator stops, trapping Everly and I between the eighth and ninth floor.
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” she hisses.
She took the words right out of my mouth.
Chapter 14 Everly
This cannot be happening.
It’s my worst nightmare. Or my favorite dream. I suppose it depends on the context, but as of right now, it seems to be the nightmare.
We are in a fancy pants hotel, and their elevator can’t even work?
“It must be the storm,” Rowan says from somewhere in front of me, but I
