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“Describe the Cascade in three words”
She squeezed her left fingers in her right hand “Are you serious?”
“Perfectly What are the first three words you think of when you think of this hotel?”
“Efficient Class Profitable” She shot the words out confidently She prided herself—and the hotel—on thee she tried to portray every day
He stopped pacing and sighed “I was afraid of that”
“What’s wrong with that? We have an efficient staff, an elegant establishment and we s”
“Coain and slid it open She followed, bringing the ith her and cradling her glass in her hands What on earth was he doing now?
“Look out over there”
The afternoon aning and the sun’s rays filtered through trees and shadows Goose bumps rose on her skin at the chill in the air and she shivered
“Just aback inside
When he returned he draped a soft blanket over her shoulders and took the glass out of her hands She tensed at his casual touch
“Now look And tell me, what do you see?”
“The valley, poplar trees, the river”
“No, Mari”
His body was close, too close and she fought against the panic rising instinctively in her chest Please don’t touchthat he’d disobey her silent wishes What would it feel like to have him cradle her body between his ar, she recognized the sensation for what it was—fear