Free Only in Time (A Mystique Antiques Novella) by Kelli McCracken Page B

help but razz him after he did the same to her at the restaurant.
    He didn’t seem to mind. Even flashed her a smile before pushing the door open. “After you.”
    Sweeping past him, she entered the suite, noting the bar setting on the right. Rooms spread in different directions, the kitchenette being the closest. Coming to a stop near the recliner, she studied the layout until the door clicked shut behind her. Jonah brushed past her on his way toward one of the other rooms.
    “Do you want something to drink?” he asked, jabbing his finger over his shoulder.
    “No, I’m fine. I’ll grab something at the theater.”
    One shrug later, he disappeared down a hall.
    As a doorknob clicked in the distance, she debated on whether to sit on the sofa or make her way to the window. Sitting down would involve patience. Something she didn’t have at the moment.
    Pacing near the couch, she wished she’d taken Jonah up on the drink he’d offered. Anticipation burned in her belly with thoughts of him, shirtless, just a few feet down the hall. No way could she sit still and wait for his return.
    It didn’t take her long to reach the window. She parted the curtains, letting her eyes fall to the cobblestone that made up River Street. While many years had passed, she still remembered walking on that same street with her father right after they arrived in Savannah. She’d been too young to appreciate the history of the area, but the stone road fascinated her. And any memory of her father warmed her heart.
    “See anything interesting outside?” Jonah’s voice buzzed in her ear. She didn’t realize he’d reentered the room, or that he stood less than a foot behind her. When she gazed over her shoulder, she came eye level with his lips.
    Her heart took an extra beat.
    Trailing her eyes up to his, she watched a spark of humor play inside them. Then his lips curled upward. “What is it, Ally?”
    “Nothing.” She offered him a smile, turning her eyes back toward the road. “I was thinking about how much fun I’ve had, tonight.”
    A low rumble of laughter worked past his lips. “You didn’t think you would?”
    She wanted to deny the truth in his question, though she knew she couldn’t. Not if they wanted to rebuild an honest friendship.
    Taking in the bold scent of his cologne, she stepped from the window to face him. “I don’t know what I expected, Jonah.”
    Her eyes fell to the floor. She didn’t want to dredge up the past. Their evening had been too enjoyable to walk down this road. One that would require total honesty on her part. Honesty he may not want to know.
    She started to step away, until the warmth of his hand swept across hers. Her eyes darted back to his. The playful spark they once contained had switched to smoldering heat. Then he stroked her palm with his fingers.
    Snapping her lids shut, she prayed her eyes would stop stinging. She couldn’t let Jonah see this side of her. Not when she didn’t know what his intentions were.
    “Look at me, Ally.” The heat of his hands caressed her face as he cupped it. Her eyes flew open, locking with his bright ones. “I know our last moment together didn’t end well. I saw the pain in your eyes that day. Believe me. It wasn’t one-sided. A day hasn’t gone by that I haven’t thought of you.”
    Tears welled in her eyes, clouding her vision. One blink sent a warm stream down her face.
    “God, Ally, don’t cry.” Jonah pulled her close, the warmth of his arms encircling hers. His cheek pressed against the top of her head as he released a sigh. “What did I say?”
    Pulling back from his embrace, she swiped at her cheek. “The day I left, I wasn’t honest with you about a few things.”
    “Like what?”
    She stared at his chest, the rest of the images in the suite a blur. Her eyes traced each groove of his muscles, admiring the way his t-shirt accentuated them. “Do you remember the day we went to Tybee Island? Near the lighthouse.”
    “Yes. It’s