Page 24 of One Weekend in London

He smirks as my mouth falls open, undoubtedly wide enough for a semi to drive right in. I fight for the words to speak, but I’m struck dumber than a rock, completely aghast. Reading my racing mind, Rhys quickly continues.

“It’s for your safety. I need you close, where I can ensure your protection and well-being.” His jaw clenches, his eyes flashing with something fierce and, dare I say, feral. “And I’ll be damned if I let that worthless wanker back in the States finance another moment of your life. Every charge you’ve incurred during your stay has been handled by me; he’ll be none the wiser of your trip.” Does he know Maxwell is ignorant to my use of his American Express on my little revenge vacation? If so, he doesn’t directly say. “Any expenses you have are now mine to handle—not his.”

For a beat, I simply stare up at him.

I’ve been rendered speechless a few times in my twenty-four years—mostly because of something dumb one of my male cousins has done—but never over a man treating me the way he currently is.

The way he seems to cherish me, even though we’ve just met, the connection binding us having yet to be fully explored, steals my breath and swells my heart to near bursting.

It’s now I realize Rhys makes me feel safe.

Not to mention truly cherished.

Belatedly, I realize Caroline is watching our exchange intently, a tiny smile playing on her lips. When I meet her astute gaze, she gives me the subtlest of nods.

“I see it now,” she murmurs, almost to herself. Then, with a parting, growing smile and small wave, she’s gone, disappearing as quickly as she appeared.

I don’t have time to ponder her remark before Rhys guides me through the exit, me at his side, his arm once more wrapping tightly around me.

With a few short commands snapped into his phone—When did he pull that out?—he sends Mark—How did he get down here so fast?—the man I quickly learn is the head of his security team, to the idling SUV parked curbside, directly behind his fancy-looking black sports car.

He silently opens the passenger door for me and helps me slide onto the buttery leather seat. To my surprise and belly-flipping satisfaction, he leans in, his strong arm brushing against my chest as he buckles me in.

It’s such a sweet gesture.

Maxwell would’ve never...

Don’t think about that idiot, I tell myself as I push unwanted memories to the back of my mind, precisely where they belong. He isn’t worth a lick of salt, much less your...

My thoughts scatter when Rhys kisses my forehead. A puddle of goo—I nearly dissolve right into one. He pulls back, our eyes meeting and locking.

“Me helping you conquer the final items on your holiday checklist,” he says quietly, that addicting rumble of his deep voice working to make my knees go all shaky again, “is only the beginning, Sadie.”

Pulling my phone from his pocket, he gently slips it in my hand as he watches me from under thick, sooty lashes, nearly making me squirm.

“Now that I have you here, exactly where I know you were meant to always be, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let you go.”

It makes little sense, but his words give me something I long ago lost—hope.

As if knowing the effect he has on me, he winks before backing out of the car and rounding the hood. Two inhales. That’s all I take before he’s climbed into the driver’s seat, his nearness more potent than any shot of Papaw’s prized white lightning I’ve ever taken.

Reaching across the center console, he takes my hand in his.

When our eyes meet again, I know one thing for sure—I’m officially in over my head with this man, close to drowning in him entirely.

And let me tell you...

I’ve never wanted to sink so badly in all my life.

CHAPTER 10

Rhys

I’d be a right fool to muck this up.

The inarguable truth repeats in the back of my mind as Sadie and I approach the London Eye, side by side, my hand resting possessively on the small of her back.

Twenty paces behind, Mark follows, his sharp focus honed in on queued-up patrons we pass, some of them snapping pictures, others whispering as their attention bounces between my blue-eyed belle and myself.

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