Wild Suspicions (Romantic Suspense) by Rebecca Marey Page A

to see it.” He shrugged. “After we’ve completed the business portion of the trip, I don’t see why we couldn’t come back for a week or so. Would you like that?”
    Finally. A plan. This was exactly what she needed to reinvigorate her interest in the trip – and Parker. Liddie hadn’t wanted to admit it, but up until now, he’d been somewhat of a disappointment. She leaned over and kissed him.
    “ I consider this the true beginning of our trip.”
    “ That’s the attitude I’m looking for,” said Parker. He pulled her closer and kissed harder. He excitedly explored her mouth with his, and they remained entwined until the chopper landed. The helipad was connected to the twenty-eighth floor of the hotel, protruding out over the island like a giant saucer.
    Parker pulled away as soon as they hit the ground. “Let’s go,” he directed with a pat on her arm.
    Hotel staff , in coordinated uniforms, greeted the two with extreme hospitality. Parker and Liddie followed them into the building and to the room, which was one level down.
    Inside, the hotel atrium featured a complex design of intertwined architecture. Taking a moment to lean over the rail of a passageway, Liddie studied the stylish step-like layout of floors that ended with a grand mosaic design on the tiled floor of the main lobby.
    T he carpets, drapes, flowers and upholstery placed throughout the hotel popped with saturated shades of royal blue, metallic gold and ruby red. More opulent than tasteful, the overall affect was nonetheless breathtaking.
    T he bellman stopped and opened the door to their room. To Liddie’s surprise it had two floors. Just like her condominium. They could enter and go to the left, where Liddie could see a living area; or go straight up a carpet-covered staircase. The bedroom, she assumed, was upstairs.
    Parker pushed through like he lived there. “Did the luggage get here?” he asked the bellman.
    “ Yes, sir. Already done.” The bellman moved toward the living room, but Parker stopped him with a wave of the hand.
    “ No, no, we’re fine, that’ll be all.” He gave the man a nod and Liddie assumed that tips, along with their check-in, had all been prearranged.
    After the bellman left , Parker took the stairs leading up to the bedroom two at a time. He didn’t say anything, but it seemed to be understood that Liddie would follow. No invitation needed. She took the stairs more slowly than he, and couldn’t believe the room as it came into view.
    Floor to ceiling windows gave an almost 360 -degree view of the Dubai night. The beach was sparkling with lights and color in the immediate distance. Red upholstered chairs were set up in a corner with an end table. A huge bureau held the television that would rise up at the touch of a button.
    I t was the bed, however, that got Liddie trembling. A gold, damask spread covered a king-sized mattress. At least twelve velvet pillows sat like a treasure chest of gemstones against the headboard, which was mirrored and reflected the image of night sky from the windows. If that wasn’t enough, another huge mirror – framed like a renaissance painting – was pinned to the ceiling above the bed.
    “ Oh, no, Parker. A ceiling mirror?” Liddie brought both hands up to feel the heat in her cheeks. “I thought that was a myth from the ’60s.”
    Her apprehension wasn’t lost on Parker. “Oh, relax, Liddie. It’s so I can watch you sleeping.” He winked. “Think nothing more of it.”
    Liddie collapsed on the bed, entranced by the oddity over her head. “If it weren’t framed so beautifully, I’d call it ridiculous.” Somehow, she marveled, the frame managed to class it up.
    Parker laughed and grabbed a pair of underwear from a bureau across the room.
    “ They give you underwear here, too?”
    “ Oh my God, Liddie, you’re so funny.” Parker pulled off the polo shirt he’d worn on the flight. “The bags were delivered from the airport and unpacked for us. Your stuff is