4. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
B ooker led Lexi back into the hotel. When they’d realized they’d talked all night and the sun was getting ready to come up, he’d decided to see if she wanted to take a short drive. He’d driven to Lewisville Lake. He and Lexi had watched the sunrise off Trotline Road. It was a gorgeous area, but it was wonderful because she was there with him. The high school crush that he’d thought was gone from his life forever had somehow come back into his life.
Standing there with her had made him realize that this had been the best twenty-four hours in years. He hadn’t even had her in bed yet, but he knew he had to have her in his life. Not that he doubted how hot it would finally be when they made love. Just holding her and the kiss they’d shared after the sun rose let him know they were fire together.
He’d wanted to just stay there all day with her, but he had a job to do for his President. He’d shared a little of Compass’s story so Lexi wouldn’t think he was ditching her. They were heading back to their own respective rooms to shower and then he was going to text Compass and Twist about breakfast.
“What floor are you?”
“Fourth. What about you?” Lexi asked.
“Fifth. I’ll walk you to your room and then head up to mine. Today’s the next day, so I want to figure out when we can chat.”
They boarded the elevator, and he pushed her floor number. They were alone in the elevator, and he so didn’t want this night to end.
“Do you all have any plans after breakfast?” Lexi asked.
“No. We’re playing it by ear. What are you thinking?”
“Well, we’ll get packed up and then how about after you guys have breakfast, Mom and I will treat you to lunch a little ways away? Any of the guys from Cider Creek who are still here are welcome to. Might as well let everyone know my story.”
He followed her to the door. He didn’t even want to let her out of his sight for even a couple of hours. He leaned closer and kissed the lips he hadn’t realized how much he missed. He poured everything he felt into the tamest kiss he’d ever given a woman. As he finished, he pulled away. Her gorgeous eyes were tired but showed how happy she was.
He waited while she swiped the card and then pushed the door open. He heard her yelp right before the door closed. He stopped the door from closing and followed Lexi in to check on her.
Lexi was standing there blushing with her hand over her eyes. He glanced around her. Compass was lying beside Maureen in bed. Compass flicked the cover back. Booker chuckled.
“They’re both dressed,” he whispered.
Lexi took her hand away. “Give a girl a heart attack why don’t you?”
Maureen laughed. “We didn’t quit playing poker until four a.m. Compass and I crashed because I guessed if my daughter wasn’t home by four, she wasn’t going to come home.”
Booker laughed. “I’m heading to my room for a quick shower before we have breakfast, Compass.”
“Let me grab my bag, and I’ll borrow your shower after you if that’s okay,” Compass said.
“Perfect. I’ll see you later,” Booker said, dropping a quick kiss on Lexi’s lips. “Bye, Ms. Maureen.”
“It’s Maureen now. I don’t need to feel any older.”
He headed out with Compass following. When they got on the elevator, he smiled at Compass but didn’t say anything. What Compass did was his own business. Now to dig into why Compass wasn’t returning Baron’s calls or texts and make sure he was okay at breakfast.
Lexi waited until the door closed all the way before she turned and walked closer to her mom.
“Did you have a good time?” Lexi asked.
Her mom slid an arm around her waist. “I enjoyed playing poker. Those men made me feel right at home. I have a good feeling about Booker’s MC. And when Compass walked me to our room, I hugged him at the door. He hugged me back and said that hugs were one of the things he missed most. I had to agree. I can’t tell you how many times over the years that I’ve wanted to get a hug from your dad.”
“Oh Mom.”
“Don’t ‘oh Mom’ me. It’s a part of grief and losing someone. But I knew Booker wasn’t back and Compass would end up sleeping with all the other guys. I told him he was welcome to catch some sleep here. No sex, just lying beside each other. He held my hand until we fell asleep.”
Lexi had known her mom had lost a part of herself when Lexi’s dad died. They’d been together for years. A year ago, Lexi had made sure to let her mom know that Lexi didn’t expect her mom to be alone. She hoped her mom would find someone to spend the rest of her life with. Her mom had replied she wasn’t looking and someone would have to be very special for it to happen.
“So what’s the plan, Alex?”
“We’re getting ready and packed. Then I offered for us to feed the guys lunch a little ways away. I didn’t mention we’d be cooking it at our RV. And then I’ll share the whole story.”
Her mom grabbed her stuff. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll grab a quick shower since I know you love for the bathroom to be already steamy when you get in.”
Lexi laughed. Her mom hated when the bathroom was already hot and steamy. She wondered if Booker and his friends could actually help her and her mom fix their problem. She hoped so because although she adored her mom, she didn’t want them to live together because of fear. If her mom wanted to live on the road with her, she’d gladly let her. But her mom loved the ranch. It was her happy place. Hopefully, today might bring a solution or at least a little help.