Page 32 of Innocent Princess

It's my turn to smirk as I push myself further into my bed. "We'll want to leave this part out of the tales we tell back at CamU. Wells and Cameron will revoke your man card for sure."

"Hardy, har, har." He smiles at me as he digs around his duffel for a change of clothes. "It looked like something right up your ally, so I rented it."

"Well, thank you. I appreciate that, Ryker." I nestle into my pillows and pull a paperback out of my bag next to me. He ducks into the bathroom, and I decide not to mention that I've seen this movie so many times, I could star in it.

I take the next several minutes to center myself and pull myself out of the sexual haze he seems to be putting me in more and more often. Knowing he's been wanting to kiss me, helps my resolve in wanting to pursue him. Taking things slow and doing things right is honorable, and the gentlemanly thing to do, but I'm only going to let that go on for so long.

With the world the way it is today, if I want something bad enough, I just need to take it. I'll make Ryker Stone my next adventure, and he won't know what hit him.

13

Zella

The soundof the room door clicking shut wakes me from a restless sleep. Slowly blinking my eyes open, I take in the room. I'm lying on my side, facing Ryker's bed. It's empty. I roll on to my back and push myself up into a sitting position against the headboard. I look around the tiny room, noticing the bathroom door is ajar, lights off. He's clearly not here.

As I reach for my phone on the nightstand, which is bolted to the wall between the beds, I see a piece of paper lying over my phone. Picking up the Big Bear Motel branded paper, I read a note from Ryker.

Blondie, gone to get the car settled. We need to hit the road, so if you're reading this, get that pretty ass out of bed and get ready. You're meeting your parents today.

It's signed with a simple R. I reread the note over a few more times, memorizing his messy scratch. Just then, my phone chimes for the six o'clock alarm I set.

I jump out of bed and get ready for one of the biggest days of my life.

I'm ready and waiting, watching a cooking show, munching on donuts thirty minutes later when I hear the door unlock. Swinging it open, Ryker walks in.

"Oh, good. You're up." He smiles.

"You mean my pretty ass? Yes, we are both ready to go." I flip off the TV and offer him a donut. He winks, snags one, and eats it as he walks through the room, checking for items he might not have packed. He picks up a stray sock at the foot of his bed and shoves it in his duffel.

"Let's get this show on the road, Blondie." He hoists his duffel on his shoulder then reaches for mine. I grab our room keys and close up behind us.

After dropping our keys off in the office, we are settled and ready to go. He starts the car and looks over at me.

"You ready for this? We've got about five hours of driving left." I nod. I cross and uncross my legs, unable to get comfortable.

"I'm so freaking ready. Let's do this." I motion for him to drive. He chuckles in return and pulls out of the dusty, quiet motel parking lot.

A little less than five hours later, we pass the "Welcome to Golden Springs" sign.

I take a deep breath, trying to control the mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through my veins. Ryker's GPS feeds us directions in a female Scottish accent. I changed the accent early in the drive yesterday to remind me of one of my favorite historical romance heroes, but Ryker pitched a fit, and we compromised on the female voice.

The accent was still sexy.

We drive to the tiny town. I study the strip of fast-food chains and car dealerships and tiny strip malls as we roll through. When we carefully make our way through the town square, there are remnants of some kind of event still happening on the courthouse lawns. Clothing, boutiques, coffee shops, sit-down restaurants, and specialty stores litter the square. Without even stepping foot in the town, I can tell by the look, feel, and the smiling people milling about, that I'd love this town. It's small but inviting. Being a girl who grew up not being able to wander around town and meet neighbors and other people in town, this place warms my heart.

Oh, what would it have been like to grow up in Golden Springs?

The navigation on Ryker's phone takes us past the downtown area. No more than ten minutes later, we pull onto an old dirt road about a quarter-mile long.

Turns out, it’s a driveway with a beautiful ranch-style home at the end. The yard is large and from the fresh-cut grass smell coming from the open windows of the car, recently mowed.

On the other side of the driveway, farther back on the land, is a barn and stables.

"Oh, my God. They have horses." I nearly lean out of the window, drawn to the majestic animals. I've never seen a horse in real life, and I'd love to ride one if given a chance.

Ryker chuckles next to me. "Let me guess, bucket list?"

"Top twenty for sure."

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