Chapter 12
Twelve
For a moment, I lie completely still, caught between sleep and awareness.
Soft early-morning light has slipped through the curtains.
I hear the faint call of songbirds outside the window.
There is a sharp contrast between the soft mattress beneath me and the heavy arm circling my waist. Muscular legs have woven with mine.
I would love nothing more than to stay right where I am, surrounded by Ryan’s body heat and the subtle scent of bergamot, but I really need to pee.
Carefully, I try to slip out from underneath him, but the movement makes him pull me even closer. To be honest, it’s a nice way to wake up, but I really need to go.
“Ryan,” I whisper. “Ryan.” Running my fingers up and down his brawny forearm, I try to wake him. He mumbles something unrecognizable in his sleep. Reaching over my shoulder, I gently place my hand on his cheek and caress his chin with my thumb.
“Ryan, I need you to wake up,” I try again, a little louder. I gasp when he shifts in his sleep, and I feel his hard, thick length press against my ass.
The sound rips him from sleep. He scrambles backward, falling off the bed onto the floor. Eyes wide and his brown hair messy from sleep, he stands, chest heaving.
“Beck,” he says in surprise, trying to get his bearings. “What’s going on?”
“Good morning, Pretty Boy.” I roll to a sitting position and smirk at his clear panic.
He narrows his eyes, glancing down at the bulge in front of his grey sweatpants and then back at me. “Jesus. What just happened?” he asks, scratching the back of his head, looking away.
“Nothing happened,” I chuckle, climbing off the bed. “I woke up to you using me like a giant teddy bear.”
“Oh.” He furrows his forehead.
“Yeah, oh.” I grin. “Did you sleep okay?”
“Once I fell asleep, I slept hard.”
“I see that.” I grin, nodding down at his crotch.
Blushing, he reaches into his bag and grabs a navy hoodie and covers himself.
“It’s a normal biological response,” he mutters. “Don’t make a big deal out of it, okay?”
“Right, silly me to presume otherwise.” I roll my eyes dramatically. “Well, I’m just going to use the bathroom, and then I would like to figure out how I’m going to get all my stuff.”
“Uh-huh,” he says, trying to avoid eye contact. “Yeah, sure. I’m just…um…going to put clothes on. Then I’ll order us coffee.”
“Good idea. I know how much you need your caffeine first thing in the morning.” I bite the inside of my bottom lip, trying to suppress a smile at Ryan’s obvious discomfort as I turn and retreat into the bathroom. Tongue-tied Ryan is adorable.
When I return after freshening up a short time later, Ryan has put on his hoodie and running shoes. A backward hat sits on his head, and he looks positively delicious. Never have I ever seen Ryan dressed for pure comfort, and I like what I see.
He glances up from his phone when I enter the room. “I got ahold of Vaughan. He arranged for a new key for your room to be ready at the front desk. He apologized for the inconvenience.”
“Perfect,” I say as I walk across the room and look out the window. “Did you see this view? It’s even prettier here in the daylight.”
Down below, autumn perennials line the natural stone pathway that leads to the waterfront.
Throughout the expansive garden, someone arranged wooden benches and chairs in private seating areas.
Some maple trees still hold on to what remains of their red leaves.
It really is the perfect place to escape.
When he doesn’t respond, I glance over my shoulder and catch him staring at the back of my thighs.
“Eyes up here, Pretty Boy,” I say, slowly turning around.
Clearing his throat, he gestures with his thumb over his shoulder. “I’m going to head down to get your key and grab your bag from your room, okay?”
“I can go. I just need to throw on my jeans. I don’t think Vaughan would appreciate me walking through his hotel in my panties and your T-shirt.”
“No,” he objects quickly. Clearing his throat, he says, “I’m already dressed.”
“That’s great, thank you. My bag is the black backpack sitting on the dresser. There’s also a leather jacket somewhere. If anything gets left behind or you accidentally grab something of April’s, we can sort it out later before we head home.”
“Vaughan asked if I would drive you back to Emerley. Apparently, April tried to call you, and it went straight to voicemail. Your phone was on the bedside table, so I plugged it in when you were in the bathroom.”
“Remind me not to go anywhere with April ever again,” I grumble.
Sure, Ryan and I had fun together last night, but he shouldn’t be forced into spending time with me. Losing my room key wasn’t her fault, though. That’s all on me.
“I don’t mind driving you; I’m heading back this morning anyway.” He lifts the corner of his mouth. “Breakfast will be here shortly. I can wait for it to be delivered before I get your things.”
“It’s okay. You go ahead, and I’ll be here when it arrives.”
After hesitating for a moment, he says, “There is a robe on the back of the bathroom door. Put it on before you answer the door and make sure you check the peephole.”
“Yes, sir.” I mock-salute him and throw myself backwards onto the bed.
Shaking his head, he huffs and leaves the room, shutting the door softly behind him. Rolling to my side, I grab my phone off the table to check my multiple missed messages. When I see who they are from, I choose to check the ones from my friends first.
April
Good morning! I hope you had a great time last night. It sure looked like you were having fun
Thanks for going back to Emerley with Ryan I just need one more night - IYKYK lol
XOXO
I’m not happy that you ditched me, but yes, I had fun. Enjoy the rest of your weekend
There are a bunch of messages in our Book Club group chat confirming everyone is going to Hannah’s this afternoon. Perfect. I can’t wait to see my friends.
Steeling myself, I reluctantly open my father’s message next.
Father figure (Dad)
Can you please call me or your mother? I recently heard concerning news from Braden.
He said that you have been acting oddly, and he’s worried about you.
Oh, goodie. It’s not bad enough that Braden won’t accept our breakup; now he’s stirring up more shit with my parents. Just what I need. Well, that won’t be happening. I couldn’t care less about this fabricated, concerning news. Delete message.
And speaking of the devil himself. I feel my pulse kick up as I open his text.
My Biggest Mistake (Braden)
I need your help.
Please, Becky.
You know I love you.
I swear this is the last time.
I promise I won’t ask again.
You owe me, Beck!
Answer my messages!
I’m contemplating whether I should respond when I hear a firm knock at the door and a man calls, “Room service.”
Saved by the knock. I don’t need to respond to Braden. Despite what he says, I know I don’t owe him anything.