Chapter Fourteen
H unter was beginning to get concerned. During takeoff, Hannah had clammed up. Same as when their flight landed and a private car from the hotel picked them up at the airport. Now they were pulling up under the porte cochere, and Hannah’s hand was like ice against his skin. She was so lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t recognize that they’d stopped in front of the Ritz. Even in the middle of the night, the hotel was lit up like a beacon. Tiny lights swirled around the trunks of trees lining the property, and the crest of a lion was illuminated in spotlights. Two gentlemen in crisp dress clothes approached the car in tandem and began removing luggage from the trunk.
He gave Hannah’s hand a quick double squeeze. “Baby, time to go. We’re here.”
Hannah glanced at the phone in her free hand. She’d been refreshing the messages every few minutes, waiting to hear from Vivienne. “Do you think it’s a bad sign I haven’t heard from her since before takeoff?”
“It’s possible she went to bed. If you haven’t heard from her by tomorrow morning, we’ll go to your parents’ estate and talk to her.”
Hannah nodded. “You’re right.” She unbuckled and shifted. “Collin, we’re here,” she said, and he yawned and opened his eyes, looking more awake than Hunter had felt in years.
The driver opened the car door and Hunter stepped out, turning to help Hannah and then Collin slide out. The midnight air was balmy and fragranced with the scent of blooming flowers. As they approached the towering building, the glass doors slid open and the conditioned air spilled out. The foyer was sleek and opulent with vaulted ceilings embellished with decretive fretwork and molding. The chandelier looked like it had been dipped in a bath of crystals and removed slowly so each gem formed into a layered point. Below the light fixture was a marble table abundant with blush- and cream-colored flowers.
The front desk agent smiled and straightened as they approached.
“Welcome to the Ritz. It would be my pleasure to check you in.”
“The reservation is under Green.” He glanced over his shoulder to where Collin was examining the artwork on the walls with Hannah. After several seconds, he added, “It’s part of the Day wedding room block.”
“Thank you so much, sir, and welcome. Please bear with me for one moment while I look up the reservation.”
There was a stiffness in his neck and jaw when the man’s expression became pinched and he cleared his throat once then twice. Something was clearly wrong with the reservation, but he had to give the man credit for the ability to keep his face so neutral.
“I’m so sorry,” the man said, lowering his gaze. “But it appears those rooms were canceled earlier this evening.”
A roiling wave of heat slammed into his gut. “Can you see who canceled them?”
“Yes, sir. If you’d like to wait for one moment, I can look up the reservations and see who modified them.” His expression went tight as he combed over the information on the screen.
“What’s going on? Is everything okay?” Hannah approached. She looked flushed and exhausted, and he wanted nothing more than to tuck her into bed and hold her safely in his arms.
“There must’ve been some mistake,” the front desk agent said, giving them both a deeply apologetic look. “The wedding planner called reservations today and had these two rooms canceled. I’m so sorry, but we’re completely sold out. I can have one of the cars take you to a different resort or—”
“Branch, Hannah, Collin.” A booming voice filled the silent foyer. Collin spun and stretched his arms high, careening down the hall and straight into Silver and Iron, nearly knocking them over like human dominoes.
“Silver and Iron,” Collin sang out. “What are you doing here?”
“Hey, man, how was the flight?” Silver clapped Collin on the back, grinning.
“Good,” he said, walking past them.
“I didn’t think you were going to stay in the same hotel. Did you guys check into our rooms?” He hoped the front desk agent was wrong. Hoped that the guys had grabbed their keys.
“No,” Iron said. “We were going to stay at the motel down the street, but we figured what the hell. We got the last room. The Presidential Suite.”
“The wedding planner canceled ours.” Hannah bit her bottom lip and dragged her hand through her hair. The distress on her face had a red haze tinging his vision. Usually he was able to keep his cool, but seeing Hannah upset made him want to ream out every member of her family, and that bitch of a wedding planner.
“Damn. On purpose?” Iron shifted his weight to his left hip. He’d gotten a prosthetic on the right after losing his leg on the op gone wrong.
“I’m assuming it wasn’t an accident.” She looked so small and dead on her feet as she spoke. Between her emotional shift at work, which they still hadn’t talked about, the stresses of navigating the airport, and now coming to a hotel only to have their rooms canceled, it was a fucking miracle she wasn’t losing her shit. She was amazing.
“Guess it’s a good thing then that we have four separate rooms inside of our suite, plus there’s a rooftop pool.”
“Jesus,” he swore. “I can’t imagine what that’s costing you, but I couldn’t be more pleased right about now.”
Silver turned from his conversation with Collin to face the front desk agent. “They’re coming up to our room. They’ll need three keys.”
“Of course, sir. I’ll make those up right away and I’m so sorry for the misunderstanding. We can connect with the wedding planner and get it squared away tomorrow morning.”
“Not necessary,” he said. “We’ll stay in the Presidential Suite.” As pissed off as he was, it was probably a good thing for them to stay together. And this way Rochelle and Hannah’s family wouldn’t know where they were.
“Thank you for your flexibility.” The man’s shoulders sagged with relief.
“There was supposed to be a garment bag waiting for me, but if the room was canceled…well, I have a feeling it’s not here.”
“No, miss. I’m very sorry.”
Hannah offered the man behind the desk a weak smile. Hunter put his arm around her and she pressed in close. There was no better feeling in the world than her trust. As the key cards were being made, Collin was animatedly telling Silver and Iron about the plane ride, getting pizza at the airport, and his desire to open a pizza restaurant with his friends Jacob and Cora.
“Here are your keys. Have a restful evening.” The employee slid a packet across the marble desktop, and he shoved them in his pocket.
“Glad we came down when we did,” Iron said as they moved away from the front desk.
“Wedding planner has been a vile bitch from the start. I should’ve expected her to pull something like this.”
“Well, at least now you’re under a different name,” Iron said, mirroring his earlier thought. “And Silver splurged on the suite. Not that he had a choice. I figured we’d stay in some motel down the street, but you know he always wants to be where the action is.”
“Isn’t that the truth.”
“Anything else from the bride-to-be?” Iron asked as they neared the others.
He dropped his voice an octave. “Nothing yet. Hannah keeps checking her phone. I’ve got a bad feeling. Wish I could say nothing could’ve possibly happened, but we all know how fast things can change.”
“When is the rehearsal dinner?”
“Tomorrow night. We were going to fly in tomorrow and go straight there. Now I’m glad we left early.”
“Anything you need, Branch. We’re here.”
“Appreciate that.”
Silver and Collin were making faces at each other and laughing as they waited for the elevator while Hannah stood looking amused and exhausted. The elevator chimed and the doors slid open. Iron hit the button for the top floor and slid his key card in to gain access.
Silver glanced at Hannah. “How are you doing, darlin’? Can’t be easy for you to come visit your family on such short notice.”
“It’s never easy no matter how much notice I have. If you meet them, you’ll see why.”
“Already got a taste with that stunt the wedding planner just pulled. Not cool. What do you think she was hoping to gain from that? Power play? Just to be a jerk?”
“I think she was hoping I’d tuck my tail between my legs and go home to the family estate. If I was staying there, my parents could keep tabs on me. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was their idea in the first place. I’m sure that’s where my dress is now.”
“Not cool, not cool,” Collin repeated until the elevator stopped. Their group filed out of the elevator and walked down the hall with its elegant, gilded sconces and plush carpet. They reached the door and Silver took out his key card and opened the door. Collin walked through the door first and let out an audible sound of excitement. “We could all live in here. Forever! All of us!”
The room was, in fact, gigantic. You couldn’t really even call it a hotel room. More like a town house. They took off their shoes and wandered through. The first floor was open concept with a kitchen that rivaled a five-star restaurant. An opulent dining area with fresh flowers dripping from every surface preceded a living area that stemmed off to two separate hallways. “There are two rooms downstairs,” Iron commented. “We’ve claimed the rooms on the first floor. You guys can have the ones upstairs.”
Hunter nodded, knowing exactly why they’d called those rooms as their own. If there was trouble, his friends would intercept it before it impacted Hannah and Collin. They walked up the stairs and discovered two more rooms each with their own bathroom.
“What’s on the floor above this?” Hannah asked.
“There’s a private pool.” Silver smiled and turned to Collin. “We can hang out there while your mom and Hunter are doing boring wedding stuff tomorrow.”
“Mom can’t have fun in the pool?” Collin’s face fell.
“You can have fun for both of us and tell me about it. Maybe I’ll even have a chance to go for a quick swim at some point.”
“Is the alligator float here?” Collin asked. At Jacob’s pool there was an alligator and a flamingo float.
“I’m sure with one call to the front desk guy we can get you a float, buddy,” Iron said with a grin. “I might even get one, too.”
Silver’s phone beeped, and when he looked at the screen, his eyes crinkled with a smile so bright, Hunter was nearly knocked back. “We’ll be right downstairs if you guys need anything. Glad you’re here.” Silver started down the stairs.
“Thanks,” Hunter called, but Silver’s face was glued to his phone.
“I’m going to get Collin settled,” Hannah said. “Goodnight, Iron. It was nice to meet you.”
“Night, sweetheart. Try not to worry.”
Once the door had shut, Hunter turned to Iron. “Silver been talking to a woman?”
“His phone was blowing up the whole twenty-hour-and-ten-minute drive. Each time he got a text, he swerved into a gas station and hopped out like his pants were on fire.”
“We’re all dropping like flies. Better watch out. You might be next.” Silver had been the one to bitch that he’d always be alone.
“I’ve got one leg that says differently, brother,” he said, turning toward the stairs.
“Bullshit. It’s that attitude that’s gonna stand in your way. Not the leg.” Iron stopped on the top step and stiffened. Shit. He’d struck a nerve.
He didn’t bother to turn and face him. Hunter didn’t need to see his expression to know what came next was going to be heavy. “It’s not feeling sorry for myself. Not feeling like less, but if I fell for a woman, the last thing I’d want for her is me, and that shit’s got nothing do to with me having one leg, but how it happened,” Iron said gruffly. “I wouldn’t saddle someone with my regrets. I could’ve stopped a young man from losing his life, but I hesitated. My leg was the most insignificant thing I lost that day.”
Hunter didn’t try to stop him or apologize when he started down the stairs. Ransom was Iron’s teammate. Had tried to save a younger SEAL who sacrificed himself for the mission. It was pretty clear Iron felt responsible. He’d always found it strange Iron didn’t hang around more. From what Ransom told him, they’d been close once. If guilt was eating at the man, it made sense that he’d create distance.
He raked his hand through his hair. He’d say goodnight to Collin and convince Hannah to come to bed. The door opened as soon as he started to turn the knob.
Hannah put a hand to her chest. “You scared the life out of me,” she whispered. “Collin was out cold the moment his head hit the pillow.”
“Come here, beautiful.” He pulled her into his arms and just held on.
“I can’t believe Rochelle canceled the rooms, but I’m so relieved your friends are here,” she mumbled against his shirt.
“I’m glad they’re here, too. And that your family doesn’t know where we’re staying, because the room is under Silver’s name. They have no way to get to you, and if Vivienne reaches out and needs a place to stay until this blows over she can come here. She could always drive back to Virginia Beach with Iron and Silver while she figures out the next steps.”
“I know you hate when I say this, but Hunter, thank you.” Her fingers skimmed his jawline, tracing the stubble he’d failed to shave in the past few days. “For being you. For giving me support and time to work through what happened on my shift. I don’t think you’ll ever truly understand what you’ve given me.” Her amber eyes were locked on his, and the connection between them was so strong, he would’ve sworn he could reach out and grab it. He could stare at her face forever and never get used to the way the light in her eyes streamed into the fractured places in his soul. Filling them, brightening them. Stirring up so many emotions he couldn’t even place them all.
“Let’s get you some sleep.” He kissed her and even though soft and sweet was on his mind, the touch of her lips shot through him, building tension in his lower stomach.
“I want to go to my parents’ estate first thing in the morning and talk to Vivienne in person. I’m nervous that she hasn’t contacted me yet.” She slid her hand into his. Nothing had ever made him feel stronger than her touch.
“I get it, baby. I do. We’ll leave as early as you want tomorrow. Silver and Iron have already promised to watch over Collin and support us with any resources we need.” He brushed his thumb over the back of her hand, leading her down the hall to the last room, then opened the door.
The space was dominated by a giant king-size bed. There was a stacked stone fireplace in the corner and more fresh flowers on a credenza. The door clicked closed behind them and Hannah turned toward him. The expression in her eyes made his heart pound as the air thickened between them. She took a step forward, closing the gap, and placed her hands on his chest. An ache flooded him as she involuntarily swiped her tongue over her lower lip.
Anticipation was fluttering in his chest and stomach as Hannah had moved against him, standing on her tippy toes. He leaned down, capturing her mouth. So goddamn sweet. This woman. She nearly brought him to his knees the way she was teasing his mouth. Her hands were everywhere, desperate even through her exhaustion. They were both drained, but one kiss was all it took to for him to grow feverish.
He backed them up to the bed. “You sure about this?” he asked as he kissed a trail up her neck. Inhaled her scent, only this time it wasn’t the scent of her pretty soap in his nostrils, it was his. A groan escaped his lips and goose bumps popped up over her skin beneath his fingertips. “Love catching the scent of my soap on you, Hannah.” Images of their earlier lovemaking in his shower flashed through his head. “It’s been a long night and it’s gonna be an even longer day tomorrow. I should be giving you time to rest, but fuck, I’m selfish.”
Hannah gave him a wicked smile. “I guess I’m selfish, too, because all I’ve been able to think of is having you inside me. I don’t know what you’ve done to me.”
His shoulders shook as he laughed. “Okay, serious question here. Do you think you can keep quiet?”
Her lips turned down into a pout. “No. Probably not.”
“Bathroom.” He grabbed her hand and dragged her toward the en suite. He glanced back at her with a grin on his face. Her eyes were shining with mischief, and he couldn’t recall being happier. He loved this woman. He wanted to spend every day in her presence. Every night with her warm body wrapped up against his. The feelings flooding his chest didn’t scare him in the least. This was right. She was right.
The bathroom was bigger than his whole bedroom with a soaking tub and separate rain shower. He homed in on the granite countertop, though, and gripping her hips, popped her up onto the stone surface. He tugged the elastic from her hair and watched all of that auburn fire rain down her back in the mirror behind her. She put her arms up, and he easily pulled off her shirt.
“Help me,” she said, grabbing the waistband of her jeans, trying to push them over her hips.
“Arms around my neck. Hold on.” She hadn’t removed her bra, but his mouth was already watering at the sight of those full, plump breasts. When she clung to him, he lifted her, dragging off her jeans before setting her back on the countertop. He loved the reflection of her hair sliding down her spine. Loved all the freckles that speckled her back. He pulled down the cup of her bra and sucked one hard bud into his mouth. She arched against him. Fingernails biting his scalp. He unclasped her bra, ripping the fabric out of his way.
“Goddamn, Hannah, so fucking beautiful.” His voice was winded. She truly stole his breath. He kissed her and she rocked her hips against him. She was completely bare while his clothes were still on. Desire spiraled through him as he slipped his fingers between her legs. She wiggled closer, trying to increase the friction. Her hands were grazing below the waistline of his jeans, but instead of shoving them down, she went straight to the zipper, releasing him from the denim.
She pushed his teasing hands aside and ran her hand up his hard length, positioning him at her opening. “Hard and fast, Hunter.”
Those words coming off of her sweet lips shortened his control. In one hard thrust he was inside of her slick channel. He slammed into her over and over again. Her breath was coming fast. His name on her lips. He was glad they were in the bathroom, which offered more privacy than the outside room. He felt her clench around him as she came. He followed her, spiraling over the edge with the image of all the perfection that was her reflected in the mirror. He clenched his teeth as pleasure racked his body. Swore he saw a blinding-white flash as he spilled inside her.
She was limp against him when he scooped her up and brought her to the bed. He set her down to pull back the covers. “Climb in, baby.” He slid in behind her and held her tight.
“Han?” He pulled the comforter around them.
“Yeah?”
“Didn’t use a condom.” He kissed her back right before she started to shift.
She turned in his arms and looked up at him. It was dark but he could still make out the glassy reflection of her eyes.
She reached up and touched his face. Christ, he loved when she did that. Like she was tracing the shape of his cheeks and jaw so she could commit the feel to memory. He hadn’t meant to take her with no protection. It had been frenzied and beautiful, but he hadn’t thought about the condom. Something that he’d never done in his entire life. Now she was quiet, staring up at him with an unreadable expression.
“Hunter. I love you. It might’ve taken me a while to accept, but you’re it for me, and I certainly wouldn’t be upset to see the result of that love shining through our baby’s eyes someday.”
His breath hitched at her admission, and he closed his eyes to let her words settle into his soul. She’d taken a big risk with her heart, something the Hannah he’d known weeks ago never would have done. “Brave, baby,” he murmured. “Opening up to me like that.”
He’d been holding off on the words, thinking she needed more time. “I love you, too. So much that sometimes it hits me square in the gut and it hurts to draw a breath. I didn’t want to scare you away, so I’ve been holding off on telling you, but baby, you have to know I want everything with you. All of it. If we had a child, they would be just as treasured and loved as Collin. I want us to be a family. Live under the same roof.”
She sighed and snuggled in closer.
“I love you, Hannah,” he whispered through the dark.
“I love you, too.”