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Master of the Inn(19)

By:Ella Jade


She looked around the entry way. “If you could get a companion piece for that desk, maybe something like a foyer table, you could set it up here.” She pointed to wall across from the desk. “When guests come to check in you could offer them seasonal drinks or snacks.”

“We could go down to the basement tonight and see what else is down there.”

“Cool.” She thought for a moment. “Wouldn’t warm apple cider and homemade caramel apples be the perfect treat after driving up here on an autumn afternoon?”

“I like it,” he agreed.

“At Christmas, you could have fresh baked gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate. I bet people would come back every season just to see what you’re serving upon check-in.”

“I think I’d come back here just to see you.” He pulled her toward him. “You’re incredible.”

“Me?” She glanced around the foyer. “Look what you’ve done with this place in the time I’ve been here.”

“You inspire me.” He brushed his lips against hers.

She pressed her palm to his cheek. “Your tender side is so adorable.”

“I thought you liked my rough side.” He nodded toward the staircase. “I can still hear you screaming at what we did up there last night.”

Delicious sensations coursed through her landing between her thighs when she thought about what they had done on the steps.

“I’m beginning to fall for all of your sides. This side, this side, your back side, your front side…” She touched him inappropriately as she spoke, but then she took his hand. “Let’s get going.”

He grabbed her jacket from the hall closet and held it for her to step into. Once they were out back, Elyse realized she had no idea which direction to head. It had been too many years since she’d been out there.

“Come on.” Logan laughed. “The spot you’re looking for is down here.”

They walked through the large backyard and down a small hill. As soon as they were through a patch of trees, Elyse remembered. She took off toward the gazebo.

“It’s right through there.” She pointed. “I remember riding a horse along these trails.”

“Oh, that’s right. We did keep horses for a few years. I learned to ride here.” He shook his head. “I had forgotten all about that.”

She stopped and stared at the large gazebo. The years and the weather had taken their toll on the once spectacular structure. “Can you fix this?”

“It just needs to be stripped, primed and painted.” He nodded. “It’ll probably have to wait until spring, but I can restore it.”

“Good, because I was thinking this is a perfect location for a couple to have a romantic lunch or dinner.” Or even a wedding, she thought. “Everything could be prepared at the inn and then set up out here. You could even hire musicians – violins or a harp.” Elyse closed her eyes, as if she could hear the music, and thought about the menu she would prepare. She could make four courses with a delicate wine and raspberry cheesecake for dessert. “Can’t you see people getting engaged here?”

“When do you have time to think this stuff up?”

“It’s Pleasure Inn.” She shrugged. “I can envision couples coming here for all sorts of fantasies from just a weekend getaway to something spectacular. There is no other place like it, Logan. You can make this place into anything you want. I think people would come from all over to stay here.”

He retrieved the blanket from the basket and spread it out. “You sure have a lot of confidence in me.” He took her hand and pulled her down onto the quilt.

“Is that a bad thing? I didn’t mean to overstep, but you’re working so hard on restoring this place that I want it to be perfect for you.”

“I’ve been a screw-up most of my life. The rich kid who could have anything he wanted. When I got into Yale my family was shocked. They never expected me to finish my degree. When I couldn’t cut it in the business world, no one batted an eyelash. I decided to go into the remodeling business. My mother had a ton of friends who wanted work done. It didn’t take me long to figure out I was getting so much work because of my looks. And I used that to my advantage.”

“You were young and having fun.”

“A little too much fun.” He handed her a bottle of water. “I drank all the time, went through thousands of dollars and slept with most of my customers. When I got caught with a married woman, it was time to reevaluate.”

Elyse saw the remorse in his eyes. He harbored so much regret.

“I thought I’d travel. Maybe go to Paris or Rome, but my uncle forced this place on me. I hated it. I think that’s why it took me six months to renovate my bedroom. I had no desire to reconstruct any of this, much less be an innkeeper. I don’t think my uncle thought I’d actually get the inn up and running. My family just wanted to keep me busy.”