Page 40 of Heart & Hope

She huffs a strained laugh.

“If I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry. It was the only thing I could think of to solidify our story.”

“No, it was a good strategy. Thank you.” Her words are breathy.

When we reach our level and step into the hallway, she walks to the door and opens it with the card. When I step through after her and shut the door behind me, I lean on it. She kicks off her heels and reaches under her shoulder as she tries to undo the zip. It doesn’t budge.

I close the space between us and put my hand over hers. “Let me.”

Her hand lowers, and she sweeps her hair around her neck, away from the zipper, lifting her arm. I tug at the zip. It’s tough, but it comes away a heartbeat later. I pull it down a few inches to start and drop my hand. She catches my hand and lifts her brown eyes. “Thank you.”

Her breathing is ragged as we stare at each other for the longest heartbeat.

I step away and slide the jacket from my shoulder and rip the bow tie from my neck before undoing the first three buttons of the shirt.

“I think I need a shower,” Ruby mutters and disappears into the bathroom.

What I need is a cold shower.

A long, cold, sobering shower.

Chapter Ten

RUBY

The bed is cold and empty when I wake up, despite the heat that was coursing through this room mere hours ago when we returned from the gala. Reed in his suit was the hottest thing I have ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on. And when he kissed me by the elevator, I thought my heart would explode.

It took everything I had not to climb him like a tree the second the doors closed. And again when he helped with my zipper. And now, the man in question is nowhere to be seen. I push out of bed and wander to the bathroom.

No Reed.

His boots are gone. But his bag is here. He went out for something?

I track to the toilet and make a quick stop before brushing my teeth and hair. Still tired from last night, I pad back to bed and climb under the duvet. But not wanting to go back to sleep and miss Reed, I flick the TV on.

The door to our room rattles open a moment later, and Reed strides in. Two takeaway coffee cups in a tray rest in one hand, while a brown paper bag swings underneath. I sit up and he smiles at me with that gorgeous megawatt grin I adore.

Oh shit.

I snap my gaze to the duvet.

No, Ruby.

What the hell was that?

I like being around Reed. He’s an amazing guy. Funny and thoughtful. Hot as hell. But adore? Yeah, that must have been some sort of brain conniption. How long has it been since the last guy I was with? Apparently, far too long. I so need to get laid, so my monkey brain can settle the fuck down.

When the bed dips and coffee appears under my nose, I wrap my hands around it, brushing his fingers.

He sips his coffee and passes me a chocolate Danish wrapped in a napkin.

I whimper a little at the smell of the chocolate pastry and coffee. A girl could get used to this. Breakfast in bed delivered by a handsome man.

“Thank you, Reed.”

“You’re welcome, beautiful.”

He sinks his teeth into his pastry, and his throat works as he swallows. “Get dressed, baby.”

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