Page 54 of Bachelor

Chapter Eighteen

Rhys

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ANOTHER SHARP KNOCKsounded on the door as I pulled away from her, my eyes still locked on her face.

“You’re beautiful,” I said softly, reaching down to draw my thumb over her cheek where her skin was a colored a brilliant rose from a blush slowly spreading across her face and neck.

I was out of my mind. That was the only way to describe it. Someone was outside the door, waiting for her reply, and yet we just stared at each other, unable to let go of this moment.

“The door,” she whispered just as voices rose beyond the door that was situated down a short, narrow hallway that housed a bathroom.

“I know,” I said, easing myself off of her and standing at the edge of the bed to collect our clothing. “This could be it.”

“I guess we have no choice but to face the music now, don’t we?”

I nodded, a slight smile tugging on my lips. “It’s a relief, honestly.”

She sat up as I set her clothes on the bed.

“Hello?”

Both of us snapped our heads toward the door, where Jessica’s voice rose loud enough to drift into the room.

“Maybe she’s not in here,” Tyler said, his voice a low murmur.

“Where else would she be?”

I stepped out of the way as Whitney went flying off the bed, her sweater barely back over her shoulders as she quickly pulled on her pants and darted for the door.

I dressed as rapidly as possible, knowing it wouldn’t be a secret what we’d been up to, not with Whitney still red in the face and her hair tangled and billowing in dark tendrils over her shoulders.

I managed to zip up my pants in time for her to open the door and pull Jessica inside so quickly the woman yelped in surprise. She slammed the door shut on Tyler, who called out, “Hey!” Whitney turned the lock and leaned against the door, her chest heaving as she took a breath.

Jessica looked over her shoulder at me, then at the ruffled comforter lying halfway off the bed, then back at Whitney. Jessica’s head tilted to the side as she took in Whitney’s red cheeks and the shimmer of sweat lining her hairline.

“Oh,” Jessica said wickedly. “That’s why you weren’t answering my texts or the door.”

Whitney’s eyes met mine.

“Hey, Rhys,” Jessica laughed, looking over her shoulder at me again. “Fancy seeing you here!”

I nodded, a little breathless, my eyes sliding from Whitney to Jessica. “Hey.”

“Uhm, Tyler and I were just going to the bar and wanted to see if you guys wanted to come, maybe?”

Whitney heaved a breath, her eyes suddenly wild, like she just realized what we’d done and remembered everything we’d said to one another. I felt a sudden pang of worry over her expression. I couldn’t tell if that was regret behind her eyes. It killed me, regardless.

“I’d better go,” I said, stepping past Jessica in the snug hallway.

I reached for Whitney, laying my hand on her forearm and giving her a little squeeze. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

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