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the temperature hovering around
     seventy degrees, flowers bloomed and shrubs and trees thrived, even in winter.
    Jared called it the petri dish just to needle Tyler, but he had to admit, the damn
     thing was amazing.
    A boxwood hedge surrounded the garden and divided it into four distinct areas with
     a circular area in the center where a marble fountain bubbled.
    Belle stood there now, staring at the fountain’s intricate carving in the dim glow
     of the gas lanterns high overhead.
    She trailed her fingers along the lip of the pool at the bottom of the fountain, then
     wandered down the brick path, toward the herb garden. She bent to rub mint leaves
     between her fingertips, drawing Jared’s gaze to the length of her legs.
    He wanted to wrap those legs around his waist as he lifted her up against a wall and
     found out what exactly she was wearing under that little skirt.
    Still moving, she entered what was the rose garden in the summer, now filled with
     potted poinsettias of every color. From there, she wandered through the perennial
     garden, until she came to Jared’s favorite section, the topiary garden. Tyler took
     care of the topiaries himself. He hated when the gardeners messed with his trees.
    Belle leaned in to sniff a fragrant rosemary bush forced into the shape of a heart,
     and he wanted to bend her over the nearest bench and sink his aching cock into her.
    “Did you have anything to do with the garden?” she asked, not looking at him.
    He chuckled at the thought. “No. My…ah…One of the owners designed it, actually.”
    “It’s gorgeous. You should be very proud of your brother’s work.”
    Well, shit. Someone had ratted him out. Probably one of the other men she’d danced
     with tonight. Too bad. He’d enjoyed having someone treat him like a normal person
     for a change. He wondered if she was going to go bubbleheaded on him now.
    “I take it someone gave you an earful.” He moved closer to see her expression.
    “Oh, yes.” She faced him, nodding solemnly. “Several of the men I danced with were
     quick to point out why I didn’t want to get involved with someone like you.” She smiled
     and something uncoiled in his chest. She wasn’t going to take their advice. “I understand
     why you did it. It’s nice to be someone else for the night, isn’t it?”
    He nodded, wondering who she wanted to be. He couldn’t think of anyone he’d rather
     spend time with at this moment. “Yeah, it is.”
    “It’s a new year.” She winked at him. “You can be anyone you want tonight.”
    Breaking out in laughter, Belle released the velvet shawl she’d wrapped around her
     shoulders, which caught on her wings before slithering to the ground. “It’s not even
     cold out here. That glass ceiling is magnificent. Was the courtyard enclosed when
     the hotel was built?”
    Forcing himself to go slow, he walked to the wrought-iron bench nearest Belle and
     sank onto the plush cushions. The bench sat in a shadowed corner behind one of the
     larger topiaries. Anyone passing through the garden would never see him.
    “No, we installed that in the renovation.” Then, because he couldn’t stand to have
     her so far away, he asked, “Are you sure you’re not cold? It can get chilly out here
     in the winter.”
    She wiggled a finger at him. “I have to be careful around you. You’re a charmer. And
     no, I’m not cold. I want to look around a little more.”
    She turned her back on him and wandered down the path, stopping to admire a statue
     of two lovers entwined in a kiss.
    “Mmm.” Belle’s voice sounded even more seductive in the near-dark. “I could stay out
     here all night, but then I wouldn’t getto sleep in that decadently huge bed in my room.” She flashed him a look that burned,
     then sent her gaze over the garden again. “You look comfortable.”
    He quirked a brow at her. “Why don’t you come over here and I’ll show you just how
     comfortable I am.”
    Her lovely face