12. June
Iwake up on my back in the middle of a king-size bed with a strong arm wrapped around my stomach. Lachlan’s. On my other side, Jake is snuggled against me, and his leg is covering mine. I’m the meat in a delicious hockey-player sandwich. The bed wasn’t big enough for four people, so Ryan ended up sleeping on the couch. He said he sleeps better alone anyway.
I crane my neck, trying to see the clock on the nightstand. It’s ten to six. Shit. Time to go. The dream is over, and now I must face reality, and deal with the fact I’m not Cinderella and this isn’t a fairy tale. I can’t believe I actually slept with three men last night. I’m still not sure how I feel about it. Do I regret it? No. It was the best experience of my life, but guilt sneaks in. If my mother ever found out, she’d say I belong to Sodom or Gomorrah.
Carefully, I slide Lachlan’s arm off me and dislodge Jake’s leg from the top of mine. The last thing I want is to suffer an awkward morning-after. I don’t know the protocol, because I’ve never had one before. Slowly, since the sides are blocked, I slink toward the end of the bed. I manage to escape without waking the boys, and it’s a miracle. Now I need to find my clothes, get dressed, and skedaddle.
My bladder is about to burst, but using the bathroom is not an option. The toilet flushing will surely wake them.I’ll use the restroom in the hotel lobby.
Ryan is sleeping on his stomach, completely naked. I stop for a second to admire the view and commit it to memory. The defined muscles of his wide back are visible even in that relaxed position. And don’t get me started on his tush. I touched and scratched his butt a few times last night, and I can see the red marks I left behind.
His face is turned toward the back of the couch, resting over his left arm. My chest feels heavy as the realization hits me that this is the last time I’ll see him, Lachlan, and Jake.
No, I can’t get sad now. Catching feelings for them after one night would be too damn stupid.
I spot my dress and underwear neatly folded on top of the coffee table, and my purse right next to the pile. That’s not where I left them. Ryan must have put them there. Since he’s not facing me and seems to be in a deep sleep, I get dressed in the living room as quickly as I can. I can zip up my dress only halfway, but it’ll have to do. My sandals are still under the table.
I drop to my knees to retrieve them, but I need to stretch my arm to grab them. When I straighten and look up, my gaze collides with Ryan’s. Shit. He’s awake.
His lips curl into a lazy smile. “Leaving so soon?”
My pulse goes from zero to a hundred in a couple seconds. I jump to my feet, clutching my sandals against my chest. “Yeah. I have to be at work before eight.”
He sits up and stretches his arms. “What time is it?”
I try to take my phone out of my purse fast to check the time, but it catches on something, so I yank on the damn thing to dislodge it.
“It’s six on the dot,” Ryan answers his own question. He’s looking at his wristwatch on the side table. He must have taken it off last night before falling asleep. “Would you like some coffee?”
He asks as if this is his hotel room, not mine.
“No, I have to run.”
He stands, unfazed by his nakedness. My cheeks are burning, and I try my best to keep my eyes focused on his face. He walks over, and when he stops in front of me, I turn into stone.
Tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, he says, “I had fun last night. Did you?”
“Yeah, sure.” Jesus, could I be more lame?
He arches an eyebrow, but besides the upturn of his lips, he doesn’t comment on my uninspired reply. “Can I walk you to your car?”
Do I want to spend more time with Ryan? You betcha, but that isn’t the smart thing to do. It’s bad enough I couldn’t escape without talking to him.
I swallow hard. “It’s better if you’re not seen with me.”
His brows arch a little, and something passes through his eyes. I’d guess disappointment, but I’m probably reading him wrong.
“Yeah, you’re right.” He leans closer and kisses me on my cheek. “It was nice to meet you, June.”
Now my heart is galloping at breakneck speed. I wasn’t prepared for that sweet gesture. “It was nice to meet you too,” I croak. “And Lachlan and Jake. Tell them I said that.”
“Will do. Take care, Peaches.”
“Peaches?”
He smiles in a cheeky way that makes my body temperature rise. Why does he have to be so adorable and sexy?
“Yeah, you taste like them.”
Omygod, omygod. I’m hyperventilating now. Damnit, Ryan.
I nod, unable to find my voice. Clutching my purse and sandals to my chest, I walk out of the hotel suite in a hurry. My mind is spiraling. I’m so confused. After an evening of multiple orgasms, I should be on cloud nine. Instead, I’m depressed, and it has nothing to do with Bill and Danika’s betrayal.
Shake it off, June. There’s no time for morose feelings. It’s time to deal with yesterday’s tomorrow’s problem.Hell, that’s a mouthful.
That’s what she said.
Oh my God. I’m a dumbass in my thoughts too.
I watch June walk out of the door. It’s been a minute since she left, and I’m still rooted to the floor. I usually don’t kiss hookups on the cheek when they leave, and it was a fucking mistake to break that rule today. I’m a second away from going after her and... I don’t know what for. To fuck her again? Probably, even though I’d be breaking another rule. I don’t go for seconds.
I’m saved from the crazy impulse when Lachlan walks out of the bedroom in his birthday suit, yawning.
I shake my head. What the fuck is wrong with me? I’m usually relieved when a hookup leaves without wanting more. The heaviness in my chest isn’t normal.
“Where’s June?” Lachlan asks.
“She left a minute ago.” I head to the kitchen lest he sees the turmoil in my expression.
“What? Without saying goodbye?”
I open the cupboard, searching for the coffee mugs. The hotel suite has a decent coffee maker and I’m in dire need of an espresso.
“Yes, Lachy. She was in a hurry.” I set three mugs on the counter, knowing he and Jake will ask for coffee too, and then I look for the coffee pods.
“Do you think she regrets last night?”
The wistfulness in Lachlan’s tone makes me turn around. He’s sitting on one of the high chairs, resting his forearms on the counter, looking dejected.
“I don’t know. I’m not like your comic characters that can read minds.”
“But you can read body language.”
I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes. “Why do you want to know?”
“No reason.” He sits up straighter, his expression now shut off.
Yeah, Lachy. You’re looking hella suspicious.
I keep looking at him without saying a word, but he can’t hold my stare for more than a second. That’s unlike him. He never backs down from a staring contest. “Please don’t tell me you caught feelings for the middle-school teacher.”
His face twists into a grimace. “I didn’t catch feelings, ye eejit.”
“Who didn’t catch feelings?” Jake joins us, the only one already dressed.
“Lachy, or so he says.” My tone is cheerfully forced. I love to antagonize Lachlan, but I’m not behaving like myself either in relation to June.
“Piss off and make me some coffee. I’m only half awake.”
“You can make it yourself,” I say, knowing very well I’ll give the first mug to him.
“Yer such a nyaff,” he grumbles.
“Is June gone?” Jake asks while staring at something on the living room floor.
“Yes,” Lachy and I reply in unison.
“How long ago?”
I look over my shoulder. He can’t possibly be upset that she left without saying goodbye. I understand Lachy getting all mushy. Underneath that grumpiness, he’s a softie. “I don’t know. Five minutes or so. Why?”
He bends over and picks up a pink wallet from the floor. “She left something behind. I’ll try to catch up with her.”
Lachy jumps from his chair. “I’ll come too.”
Jake frowns and gives him an overall glance. “You’re naked.”
“I can get dressed in under a minute.”
“I’m not waiting.” Jake veers for the door.
“She’ll probably realize she doesn’t have her wallet and come back,” I say.
“She might not look in her purse until she needs to pay for something,” he replies, and then he’s gone.
“We could call her,” Lachy suggests.
Excitement and jealousy pinch my chest. “When did you exchange digits?”
He grimaces. “I didn’t. Did you?”
Fuck. I didn’t, and I’m regretting it now. Can’t let any of the guys know, though. “Why would I do that?”
He rubs his face. “I bet Melissa has her phone number.”
I give him a meaningful look. “You aren’t seriously considering calling Melissa this early, are you? She’ll set up a bunch of interviews for you in retaliation.”
“Bloody hell. You do it, then.”
I shake my head. “Not a chance. You’d get interviews, I’d get my nut sack ripped off. Don’t worry. I’m sure Jake will find June.”
I’m not one to say things I don’t mean, but I’m actually rooting for Jake to fail on his mission, so we have an excuse to deliver June’s wallet in person.