Chapter 7
Beau
I removed the condom and lifted her up off the bed to help her into the shower. We were both quiet, our panting breaths the only sounds in the small space.
“I, uh— I’ll let you shower,” I mumbled.
She nodded, stepping under the spray as I grabbed a towel to wipe myself off. I left the bathroom, the sound of the water filling the silence as I closed the door behind me.
What the fuck was that?
No, seriously. What the fuck was that?
That wasn’t just sex. That wasn’t any kind of fuck I’d ever had before. That was . . . everything.
Nothing would ever compare to that. It wasn’t just sex—it was something more, something I couldn’t put into words.
She was my religion. Her moans, her soft gasps, the way her hesitation melted into need.
The way her body moved with mine, matching every thrust, every motion like she was made for me.
When she cried my name, not my nickname, I swear it burned into me, something I’d never forget.
“Fuck,” I muttered, yanking my shirt on.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to feel this way.
I never committed to anyone. I was always on the road, so holding a girl down was next to impossible.
The girls at the events were enough. There were no strings.
At first, I’d thought she’d be the same.
Just someone to fuck and forget. A way to burn through this need and walk away.
After this? I was worried I’d never get enough of her. That no one else would ever compare.
A loud knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts.
“The fuck?” I grumbled, yanking my jeans on, not bothering with the belt as I walked toward the door, fully aware my hair was a mess.
I opened it to find Dalton on the other side, swaying slightly and smelling like a bar bathroom.
“Dude,” I muttered, grabbing the key to the room and stepping out, closing the door softly behind me.
“Oh. Fuck. Yooou getting dicked down?” he slurred, a sloppy grin spreading across his face.
“Shut the fuck up,” I hissed, glancing back at the door. The sound of the shower still running eased me slightly, but my patience was razor-thin.
Dalton leaned against the wall, barely holding himself up. “Ah, man, I fucked up. I didn’t bring money to the bar, took a rideshare, and forgot to pay. Can I borrow some cash?”
“Dalton,” I snapped, running a hand through my hair. “Seriously? You’re drunk, you’re stupid, and you can’t handle your own shit.”
“Bro. They’re gonna call the cops.”
“Motherfucker. I am with a girl right now.”
“A girl?” His eyes widened in drunken surprise. “Wait. You like her?” His stupid smirk made me want to punch him.
“No. I don’t like her,” I muttered, more to myself than him. I didn’t like her. I couldn’t. My head was betraying me, planting ideas I couldn’t afford to entertain.
Dalton groaned dramatically. “Bro, they’re gonna call the cops if I don’t pay.”
“Fucking hell.” I rubbed my temples. “Fine. Let’s go.”
Dalton stumbled alongside me, his steps unsteady. “Man, I’m gonna have to crash with your dad tonight, aren’t I? ’Cause you’ve got a girl up there and all.”
I nudged him hard enough to make him wobble. “That’s what you get, fucker.”
As we entered the lobby, the scene was already unfolding. An older gentleman stood at the front desk, red-faced and yelling at the staff, his hand gesturing wildly toward the entrance. The poor employee behind the counter looked overwhelmed, her eyes darting nervously.
I walked up as fast as I could when I heard him screaming about a drunk guy in a cowboy hat.
“Hey, sorry about this,” I said, stepping between the man and the desk. “He’s drunk, and he forgot his card. Totally my bad.”
The man turned his glare to me, his voice sharp. “Your bad? I was about to call the cops. Youth today has no responsibilities.”
I held up a hand, nodding. “I get it. I’m handling it now. Here’s my card.” I handed it over. “Charge whatever he owes, and please, let’s call it even.”
The angry man huffed but seemed to relax slightly as he realized the situation was being resolved. He typed the card into the app on his phone.
“You’re lucky,” the man muttered, pointing a finger at Dalton, who gave him a goofy, drunken smile.
Once the transaction was complete, I grabbed my card and steered Dalton toward the elevators, ignoring the man’s grumbles as we walked away.
“You’re a fucking pain in the ass, you know that?”
Dalton laughed unapologetically. “Yeah, but you love me for it.”
I grunted, jabbing the elevator button. “Don’t push your luck.”
As the elevator doors closed, I leaned back against the wall, letting out a slow breath. I’d been gone longer than I wanted, but she hadn’t left. I knew she hadn’t. If she’d come down, I would’ve seen her in the lobby. I’d been right there, and there was no way I’d miss her.
Right?
I shook the thought away as the elevator dinged on Dalton’s floor. He stumbled out, laughing to himself, and I followed, already regretting my patience.
When we got to my dad’s room, Dalton fumbled with the key before I grabbed it out of his hand and unlocked the door for him. The dim glow from the bedside lamp lit up the room, and sure enough, my dad was already asleep on one of the beds, his back to us.
Dalton turned to me. “Have fun getting some kitty cat.”
“Go the fuck to bed.”
He shrugged, laughing quietly as he shuffled inside and flopped onto the empty bed without another word. I closed the door behind him, muttering under my breath as I headed back to the elevator.
She was still in my room. She had to be. I gripped the key tighter, my steps quickening the second I reached my floor.
I pressed my ear to the door, holding my breath. The shower was silent, and I slid the keycard into the lock and pushed the door open.
The bed sheets were still a tangled mess. My belt buckle was on the floor, the belt tossed beside it. The entire room smelled of strawberries and vanilla—smelled of her, but her clothes were gone.
She was gone.
“Fuck,” I muttered, stepping back into the hallway, my eyes darting left and right. The corridor was empty. No sign of her. She was completely fucking gone.
I groaned, running a hand through my hair as I turned back into the room. Damn. I didn’t even get her number. The one girl who’d ever made me think about reaching out twice, and I’d blown it.
Maybe it was for the best. Idaho was next week, the ranch needed me back home, and my life didn’t have space for commitments—especially not for her. For a stranger I hardly knew.
Damn though. She was fiery, intoxicating, and had stirred a curiosity in me like no one ever had. But curiosity wasn’t enough.
I dropped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, the smell of her still clinging to me. Strawberries. Vanilla. Her. I didn’t want to shower it off, didn’t want to erase the proof that she’d been here.
“Fucking hell, Cowgirl.”