The Liberation of Alice Love - Abby McDonald [88]
Before Alice knew it, they had pulled up outside her hotel. “Right.” She smiled at Nathan. “Thanks for straightening everything out. I really do appreciate it.” She opened the door and made to climb out of the car.
Nathan looked confused. “Where are you going?”
“To take a shower, of course.” Alice looked at him. “And change into something more appropriate, since you think I’m bound to be arrested again in this.” As soon as the comment was out of her mouth, Alice softened. Ill-advised remark aside, she really did owe him. “Thanks for everything,” she added, warmer this time. “I hope it didn’t put you out too much. I’ll be sure to call Stefan and let him know I’m all right. Have a safe trip!” Giving him a grateful smile, she slammed the door behind her and hurried toward coffee and the rest of her day.
***
Despite her hasty farewell, it occurred to Alice that Nathan probably hadn’t flown all the way down from Switzerland just to act as an escort to her hotel door. Sure enough, when she returned to the lobby to check out, she found him sipping from a cardboard cup and flicking idly through back issues of Time and Newsweek.
“If I’d known you were waiting…” Alice was gratified to catch another appreciative look from Nathan as she approached. She’d changed into her flowing sundress, letting her hair dry in messy curls and spritzing on a light cloud of her new perfume.
“You’d have got a move on with that shower?” Nathan finished. “I thought I was going to have to call up to get you out.”
“It was illegally good,” Alice agreed, perching on one of the leather chairs. Then she laughed. “Maybe that’s not the best choice of words, all things considered.”
“True.” Nathan’s grin faded. “I was thinking that, uh, I owe you an apology, for what I said before, about the dress. You’re right: it was way out of line.”
“Thanks.” She gave him a small smile. “It’s all right.”
“Good,” Nathan exhaled, and immediately, the confident expression returned. “Then we better get moving. We’re on a schedule here, you know.”
“Actually, I don’t.”
He paused. “Oh, right, I should have explained in the car. I’m taking you back to England.”
“Taking me?” Alice arched an eyebrow, amused.
“We’re booked on the two-o’clock flight.” Nathan checked his watch. “Which gives us time to get to the airport and check out some duty-free…” He trailed off, finally catching her expression. “What is it now?” he sighed, with woeful look. “I didn’t call you anything offensive; I tried especially.”
She laughed. “And I appreciate the effort. But I’m sorry to disappoint you. This isn’t the nineteenth century, and you’re not my legal guardian.”
“I should hope not,” Nathan murmured, giving her body another long stare.
Alice snapped her fingers. “Umm, up here?”
He looked up. “Sorry. Distracted.”
“Evidently.” Alice grinned. She was enjoying their banter, despite herself—and Nathan’s mistaken belief that she was cargo to be transported back to her closest male relative. With this new frisson under her skin, Alice found herself able to flirt and quip as playfully as she did as Angelique. None of this seemed real; it was all just a temporary escape.
“So?” Nathan prompted. “I did mention that schedule…”
“Yes, see, that’s the thing.” Alice bit her lip. “Your plan doesn’t really work for me. I have a flight already booked for tonight, so I’ll just keep to that and see you in England.” She shot him a bright smile and tried to maneuver her case toward the front desk, but Nathan was on his feet in an instant, blocking her path.
Narrowing his eyes, he looked at her for a long moment. “You’re up to something,” he said slowly. “Where are you going?”
“Just to do some sightseeing.” She shrugged, the picture of innocence—or so she hoped. “Now that I’m here, it seems a shame to waste the time.”
“Yes, here.” Nathan’s eyes took on a devious gleam. “You just happened to book the same hotel as this