Should’ve gone around banging on every door this morning until finding hers. Now I’m regretting it.
Fuck this breakfast.
Fuck these eggs. Fuck this juice.
I’m done eating in nine minutes, but I have to sit here for fifty-six more and watch Riley and every other person at this table take their time eating. It’s torture. I swear these assholes are all in it together. They all know I want to get Riley alone and they’re keeping that from happening.
Even Nolan.
Awesome kid. Always saying funny shit, except for today when he orders two more pancakes just when I think we’re getting the check.
Swear to God. I almost lose it.
Ben gives me a look when he catches me glaring hard at his kid. I play it off, fake coughing and turning away, then I go back to watching Riley and the cock tease show she doesn’t realize she’s putting on.
Sucking egg yolk off her thumb. Licking jam off her lip. And don’t even get me fucking started on the damn sausage she orders.
“You okay over there?” Beth asks me at one point when I let a groan slip out as I rub at my face.
Fuck no, I’m not okay. I’m getting hard in a family restaurant. But I can’t tell her that.
“Just tired,” I answer, letting my hands drop to my lap and rubbing them on my thighs.
Reed stands from his chair and reaches back for his wallet. “This was on us,” he announces, tossing money onto the table. “Just a thanks for being here and sharing—”
“Great,” I interrupt, getting to my feet and yanking out Tessa’s chair for her. She yelps. “We’re happy to be here. Thanks for the food. Let’s get going.”
I motion for everyone to stand and make their way toward the exit. When Nolan starts busting my balls again by requesting more color time, I step up behind him and lift his little cock blocking ass out of his seat.
“Here. Just take it with you,” I say, grabbing the paper and the cup of crayons and pushing them into his hands.
“Cool!” he shouts, then holds them out to Ben who’s standing close. “Daddy, look. I’m taking these. CJ says I can.”
Ben picks him up.
“I don’t know if we’re allowed to do that,” Mia observes, looking cautiously at Nolan while bouncing Chase.
“I’m sure it’s fine, Angel,” Ben argues, smiling down at her. “And if it isn’t, what are they gonna do?”
“Nothing,” Luke and I answer together, both of us sounding ready to jump any motherfucker that tries touching those crayons and stalling our exit. I look over, catch his smirk and the eye roll Tessa gives him, then gently gripping Mia’s arm, I spin her around to face the door. “Come on. We’re wasting time.”
“Jesus, man,” Luke chuckles, throwing his arm over Tessa’s shoulders and looking back at me. “You in a rush to see Reed get married or somethin'?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” I lie, looking from Reed to Riley, then back to Reed when I feel his eyes still on me, eyes that are now looking suspicious until Beth grabs his chin and forces him to look down at her.
Whatever. This shit show has been going on long enough.
I stay behind Riley during the walk back to the villas, but only because she’s walking beside Beth. Reed is holding tight to his girl while joining in on their conversation, so no way can I step up now and not have it seem motivated.
After Beth directs all the girls to meet in her villa and all the guys to meet in Ben’s, the group splits up. When Reed steps away and I don’t see anyone paying me any attention, I follow Riley, getting to her door a few seconds after she closes it.
I knock, and the minute it cracks open I’m pushing my way inside.
“Whoa, hey,” Riley exclaims before I step out from behind the door and she sees it’s me. “Oh, hi, uh . . . did anyone see you?” she asks in a quiet voice, glancing around me and then looking back into my face.
I shut the door and cross my arms over my chest. “Babe, what the fuck?” I ask, skipping over her question because I got a better one. “Why’d you leave last night?”
She blinks up at me.
“And what the hell was that shit at breakfast?”
“What do you mean?” she questions.
“What do I mean?” I echo back, a little firmer. “Ordering off the sex menu and putting on a show that made my balls ache. Thanks for that.”
Those stormy blues go round.
“Then ignoring my ass like I’m not sitting there trying to get some answers out of you.”
“But I didn’t want to get caught,” she argues. “And you were staring at me. If I would’ve stared back like I wanted to, someone would’ve seen us.”
My brows lift when I probe, “You wanted to stare at me?”
She nods.
Nice. That feels good.
“And I wanted to explain why I left,” she continues. “I didn’t want you thinking it was because I didn’t want to be there.” Her hand comes up, crosses her body and grips her elbow. “I did. I wanted to be there.”
“So, why’d you leave? `Cause I sure as fuck remember expressing wanting you in my bed, darlin’. We weren’t done.”
Riley lowers her eyes to my chest.
“You could’ve told me last night you were looking to bolt,” I add, drawing her attention up again.
And I would’ve convinced her that plan was shit and mine was better.
“I could’ve,” she begins. “But you were sleeping and I didn’t decide on bolting until after you fell asleep. That was when I realized how it would look if someone came knocking on your door and I was in your room . . . without my clothes on.” She swallows. “It would’ve been obvious you had taken part in removing my clothes.”
“And?”
“And.” She drags in a breath, then releases it tensely. “I just didn’t think Reed finding out that way was in my best interest. Or yours. So I bolted and slept in my bathtub.”
My brow pulls tight. “Say what?”
“My neck is a little stiff, actually.” She rolls her head from shoulder to shoulder, wincing through her stretch.
“You slept in your bathtub?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“You got a reason for doing that?”
“Mia saw me leaving your room and I was worried she’d tell Reed and he’d come looking for me.”