A Ring for Cinderella by Judy Christenberry Read Free Book Online Page B

into the bedroom, only to stop and stare at the huge bed, the covers turned back and chocolate mints on the pillows.
    “Oh,” she said. staring.
    “Is that the only word you know?” he demanded, arriving behind her with her suitcase in his hand.
    “I’ve never...it’s beautiful.”
    “You’ve never stayed in a suite before?”
    “I’ve never stayed in a hotel before,” she whispered.
    He set the bag down beside the bed. “I’m sorry. Well, you’re starting at the top. This is a great hotel.”
    “You’ve stayed in this suite before?”
    He rolled his eyes. “Not exactly. This is the bridal suite, honey.”
    “But you’ve been married before,” she reminded him. Somehow the thought of him occupying this suite with his ex-wife was painful, though she couldn’t explain why.
    “We went to Paris for our honeymoon,” he said, his voice rough, as if the memory was unpleasant. He crossed over to the closet and pulled a blanket from the shelf. “Mind if I take a pillow?”
    “Of course not. Do you need more covers?”
    “No. And there’s a bathroom on the other side of the kitchen, so I won’t need to bother you again tonight.” He strode past her, but just as she released her pent-up breath, he stopped and dipped his head, brushing his lips across hers.
    It wasn’t the knockout kiss from the wedding, or the kiss they’d shared when he’d carried her across the threshold. But it was sweet. Tender and sweet.
    The growl in his voice told her he didn’t think so.
    “Good night!”
     
    Damn! He’d barely escaped the bedroom without breaking his word. He’d promised Susan their marriage would be on her terms. He hadn’t realized how difficult that promise would be to keep.
    Susan was a beautiful woman. But when she’d confessed she’d never been in a hotel room before, he’d wanted to cuddle her against him and tell her he’d make her first experience one to remember.
    He wanted to share a first with her.
    What had started out as a simple scheme to please Gramp had become quite complicated.
    “Zach?”
    Her soft voice had him spinning around. She was hiding behind the bedroom door, but he could see enough of her attire to realize she was dressed in a plain white T-shirt.
    “Yeah?”
    “Um, I need to be at work at eight-thirty in the morning.”
    “Call in sick.”
    She reacted as if he’d suggested she rob a bank. “I can’t do that!”
    “Susan, it’s your honeymoon!”
    “We both know it’s not. Besides, you’re the one who decided to get married on a Tuesday night. I have to go to work. Will you wake me up?”
    “Dial 0 on the phone and ask for a wake-up call. They’ll give you one whatever time you want it.”
    “Thank you.”
    The door closed and he was alone in the room again. With a mental picture of Susan in a white T-shirt. He immediately wondered how long the shirt was. It shouldn’t have been sexy. Most brides wore elegant peignoirs—lace, satin...nothing.
    Susan in a white T-shirt.
    He groaned and picked up his glass of champagne. After downing its contents, he filled the glass again, picked up his plate of food, turned on the television
     and sat down on the couch.
    It was going to be a long night.
     
    Susan woke when the phone rang. She answered at once, hoping it hadn’t disturbed Zach. After hanging up, she sank back against the pillows, reluctant to leave the most comfortable bed she’d ever experienced.
    With a sigh, she shoved back the covers. In the luxurious bath, she showered and dressed, then gathered up her belongings. After carefully making the big bed, she picked up her bag and paused at the door.
    Her reason for being there wasn’t what she wished it was, but it had still been an enjoyable experience. Once Zach left the room.
    She eased open the door and tiptoed past the sofa, staring at him as he lay sprawled on the long sofa. The blanket was pulled up to his chest but not over it. And his chest was bare.
    She drew a deep breath, staring at his hard