Cailin turned her face up to his. “Hey,” she said with a frown. A fingertip swiped at his cheek, and Alex realized it was wet—and so were his eyes. “What is it?”
He shook his head and locked down his emotions. “You. Just you.”
Turning completely to face him, Cailin smiled. “You too.”
* * * *
The courtyard across the street from the Hermitage teemed with life. For the entire city block, a long square cobblestone area stretched, spotted with park benches, leafy trees, and dozens of people, most of whom were hurrying in one direction or another. Fancy dress clothes mixed with nightclub stretch minis and casual shorts and tennis shoes. This part of downtown Nashville was central to many of the area’s attractions, and Cailin could have sat all day just people watching, especially if Alex was there, just like he was now, sitting against her on the bench, openly holding her hand.
Women—far too many women—stared as they walked past. In a business suit and tie, Alex commanded the attention of all who saw him. In tight jeans and cowboy boots? He made women melt and men wish they were him. At least they should, considering not one woman paid attention to anyone else when they saw him. A smug smile tilted her lips. They could stare all they wanted; he was hers.
“What’s that look all about?”
Cailin tilted her head toward Alex. The view was even better up close, not that she’d share it with anyone. Since he discovered that the feel of his soft black stubble against her skin caused her to squirm—in a good way—Alex had decided not to shave this weekend. His neglected beard gave him a sweaty-cowboy-calendar look that made her feel like she needed to be hosed off. It was irresistible, as evidenced by the fact that it was seven thirty in the evening on Saturday and they’d ventured out of their hotel room—heck, out of their bed—for the first time only an hour ago. Dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, for which they were seriously underdressed, and then they’d walked across to the courtyard for what Alex would only describe as a “surprise.” As it was, Cailin hadn’t been sure she would manage the trip across the road, her legs were so wobbly. She no longer wondered what a real, romantic honeymoon would be like; Alex had shown her everything she’d wanted to know and more.
“Just enjoying the fresh air,” she said. Alex’s quirked brow shouted liar! but no way was she telling him she was gloating in her ownership. Some things were better kept secret, like her alphabet of sins. They’re my dirty little secrets. Why can’t I at least enjoy one or two?
Alex hummed thoughtfully. Then, affecting a truly excruciating German accent, he said, “We have ways of making you talk, you know.”
Laughter bubbled up in her chest. “Oh really? I think I’d like to see some of those. Later.” She winked.
Alex’s laugh was muffled between their lips as they shared a not so quick kiss. It felt positively wicked to be out in the open, enjoying him, away from the restrictions that ruled their every moment together back in Atlanta. No worries, no limits, only the two of them and—
Alex pulled back to look around the courtyard. “Ah, here she is,” he said.
Cailin turned to glance in the same direction. A woman in a floor-length red dress walked carefully across the cobblestones in the darkening twilight, headed their way, swinging a lit lantern in one hand. Cailin did a double take, realizing the dress had to be a replica of an eighteenth- or nineteenth-century walking costume. The long, slightly puffed sleeves must be excruciating considering the air was only now cooling, bringing the temperature into the upper eighties, but the woman seemed oblivious to the heat. What the heck was she doing here, though? And why was Alex looking for her?
Several of the surrounding benches had filled as they sat, and now the woman wandered into their midst and, incongruously, raised a cell phone in one hand. “Anyone here for the ghost tour?”
“Wait here, hon,” Alex said to Cailin. “I’ll get us checked in.”
Cailin literally bounced on the seat. “That’s us? We’re going—”
“Yeah. A ghost tour of downtown Nashville. Sound like fun?”
“Yes!” She reached up and dragged his face down to meet hers for an enthusiastic smack of lips. “Thank you. I can’t wait.”
Alex laughed. “Well, you’ll have to wait until I get us checked in.”
“Oh, right.” Cailin snatched her hands back quickly. Alex chuckled, gave her another swift peck, then walked over to talk to their hostess for the tour.
By the time Alex returned to their bench, she’d managed to stop bouncing from excitement, but her smile was so wide her cheeks ached. A hint of teasing coloring his voice, he nudged her shoulder and asked, “So it’s a walking tour. Think you’re up to it?”