Page 32 of The Doctor

Reaching out, I let her take my finger that she grips onto with her freakishly strong grip.

“It was good, although I’m in desperate need of some lunch or dinner. I’m not sure what time it is here,” I laugh.

“Good, because I’m starving too. We can eat at the hotel, or you and Kade can go your separate ways,” Lexie smiles wickedly at me. “I’m so glad he demanded to come with you.”

Me, too.

“I think if you don’t mind, we’ll go our separate ways once we reach the hotel. What time are we meeting up tomorrow?”

“For now, at two, unless I think we need to meet earlier, but I don’t think we’ll need to. Let me know when everyone has checked in with you.” She smiles and rolls her lips. “Here they come.”

Turning to look, I find Kade and Ryder with two carts full of our luggage. “It looks like we’re moving here,” I giggle.

“Traveling with a baby takes so much stuff,” Lexie sighs.

“Are you ladies ready to go?” Ryder asks when he stops in front of us.

“Yes, we’re all hungry,” Lexie links her arm with his.

The rest of us follow behind them as we make our way out of the airport and to our waiting van. Having never been to Rio, I take a window seat and spend the entire ride looking out at the city with Kade right beside me doing the same.

“This place is amazing,” Kade says as he helps me out of the van once we arrive at our hotel.

“Wait until you see the lagoon we’re going to,” Ryder smiles, making his dimples pop out. “It’s one of my favorite places on Earth.”

“I think you’re as biased as am I,” Lexie laughs as she leans up gives Ryder a quick kiss. “But I do think you’ll love it. Maybe you’ll even create your own special memory while there.”

I feel my face heat up. There’s no way we’ll be making any memories like they have if they’re in tow. “Are you leaving us alone there?”

Lexie shrugs. “If you want us to. We may have to make multiple trips because I know we want to spend some quality alone time there. Let me go check us in, and then we can figure out our eating situation.” She leans in and whispers. “I don’t recommend eating the local cuisine if you’re not adventurous, and make sure to drink bottled water.”

“Heard,” I look to Kade. “What do you say we eat at one of the hotel’s restaurants or somewhere nearby?”

“That’s fine with me. I’ll eat whatever. I’m easy,” Kade answers, looping his arm around my shoulders.

“We’re all set,” Lexie says, flashing three envelopes. “We’re all on the same floor with Marie next door to us, and you two are further down the hall.”

“Good,” Kade says, leaning down until his lips brush the lobe of my ear. “Then we won’t have to worry about you being quiet.”

I swat him on the stomach. “It’s good for us becausethey’renot quiet. I do not enjoy listening to my boss get it on with her husband.”

“Oh, Rainbow,” he pulls me closer and husks in my ear. “I bet we could give them a run for their money.”

My eyes widen. He’s not wrong, but no. We certainly will not be trying to compete.

Lexie and Ryder start moving toward the elevators. “You’re welcome to join us for dinner here at the hotel, or you do you, whatever. There’s a restaurant out on the beach that’s supposed to have great seafood and be romantic,” Lexie waggles her eyebrows. “Ryder and I will probably eat there another night.”

Stepping inside the elevator, Kade grasps my hand and brings it up to his mouth, placing a kiss on my knuckles. “What do you say, Rainbow? Should we have a nice romantic dinner out on the beach?”

“Our first date?” I nod, biting my lip. I like the sound of us going on our first date.

“I guess we’ll see you all tomorrow then,” Kade says as the door dings open to our floor. “Tonight, I treat our beautiful Rainbow to a date.”

“Rio’s a great place for a first date,” Ryder winks. “We’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

We wave and head in the opposite direction of them and toward where our room is supposed to be.

Kade looks down at me. “Afternoon? What kind of gig is this?”

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