Page 164 of What are the Risks
Nancy jolted upright so abruptly her drink sloshed onto the expensive sofa. I’m sure there were worse stains than champagne on a Vegas penthouse sofa.
“A secret? How long has this been going on for?”
Damn. Now I’d gone and put my foot in it.
I stood, turning away from our parents and towards Ryker, who seemed to be getting a real kick out of this.
“Maybe we should go somewhere private and talk?” I suggested.
He nodded. “Sure. My room’s just off the–”
I shook my head. “That’s way too close to these gossip queens. Come with me.”
He didn’t argue as I took his hand and led him out of the fancy hotel suite, deliberately ignoring our mothers’ protests and rapid-fire questions that followed us out the door.
When? How long? What does it mean?
They could wait in suspense for a little while longer.
“Jesus, Wheels,” I breathed once we were alone in the quiet hallway. “You need to ease up on the L-bombs in front of our parents or you’ll give them an aneurysm.”
“Lucky there’s a nurse here.”
We managed to slip into an elevator just as someone stepped out of it. After swiping my keycard, I impatiently pressed the button for my floor over and over. This conversation with Ryker was long overdue. I was more than ready to have it so we could finally make up.
As the person exiting brushed past us, they did a double take at Ryker, still wearing what was left of his suit and Seattle hat. “Shit! Are you–”
The door slid shut.
I guess that was about to become Ryker’s – andmy– new normal. His future was my future, so the changes, including all the new fans who’d soon recognise him, were something I’d need to get used to.
As the elevator descended to my floor, I leant against the handrail and drank him in. He looked ridiculously good in his white shirt, fitted trousers, and team cap, forcing me to dig deep for every semblance of willpower.
It’d been too long.
“Seattle’s colours suit you.”
Removing the hat from his head, he set it on mine. “They look better on you.”
He deliberately edged closer, backing me up until I was pressed against the mirrored wall. Seemed like he was ready to jump straight into making up.
If he planned on talking first, he needed to put some space between us. My self-control only stretched so far.
“Ryker,” I whispered, losing the final shreds as his lips brushed my throat. “We should–”
Saved by the bell.
The elevator doors slid open with a sharp ding, making me jump.
Barely composing myself, I took his hand again and led him the rest of the way.
My parents had offered to share a twin room with me, but I’d chosen to book my own. They wouldn’t have splurged on the type of suite Ryker and his family had been put up in – for obvious reasons, since that place would cost thousands per night – and I had zero desire to spend the night in a bed next to Mum and Dad. Dad’s snoring was bad enough at home.
I’d somehow managed to score a balcony in my room, a rare feat for hotels on the Vegas Strip. I slid the door open and stepped out onto it, letting the much-needed breeze cool me down. While the views from here might not be as bougie as Ryker’s suite, at least I had fresh air.
Ryker wasted no time coming up behind me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders and pulling me against his chest. As I melted into him, there was no doubt in my mind how right this felt. My only regret was how long it had taken me to realise it.
Closing my eyes, I pinned his forearms in place, silently willing him to hold on forever.
