Page 76 of Grand Escape

“Hardly. Rest for a bit so we can go again, A. Stern.”

“Very funny. Let me clean you off.”

I ran and grabbed a warm washcloth, and Rylan was right. By the time I cleaned her up and caressed her body a few times, I was ready to go again.

Rylan

“Hey, where you going?” Adam reached out to grasp my wrist as my feet hit the floor.

“Ugh.” Frustrated, I sat back on the bed, half turning to face him. I’d thought I was being quiet.

The morning breeze ruffled the curtains as the sun pushed above the horizon outside. The dawn’s glow revealed Adam’s tousled blond hair and the sheets twisted around his body.

“Everyone will know something’s up if I don’t go prancing through the lobby after my run and get my coffee.” My voice was soft with embarrassment and shame.

“Ry ...” He gave me a soft look as he reached for my hand.

“I know it’s silly, but it looks like you just showed up and I gave right in.”

“I’m pretty sure no one thinks that, babe.”

“Oh, now I’m babe?”

I flopped back onto the bed and brought my feet up onto the blankets. Adam tucked my head into the crook of his neck and ran his hand over my hair, smoothing it back.

“Yes, you’re my babe. The hotel staff have known for months. I’ve been coming back since June.”

“But you said the front desk—”

“I was teasing. Of course, I played along with the front desk when they pretended they didn’t know who I was or why I was here. I tipped them all and made it to my room undetected. I came at night when I knew my early bird wouldn’t be in the lobby.”

“You did?”

Kissing the top of my head, he mumbled, “I did. I also made love to you until like an hour ago, so we need to sleep, not slink off and do the walk of shame. Everyone knows where you are and what you’re doing.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better. I’m supposed to be the tough cookie around here.”

Kissing my temple, his lips making my skin tingle, he mumbled, “You’re not that hard to crumble. Let’s say you’re a warm cookie with milk.”

“Let’s not, and I’ll snuggle back in. I am actually exhausted. No wonder they offered me two days off after the wedding.”

“Hmm.”

Suspicious at that, I froze. “What did you just say?”

“Well, that was another me-versus-them thing. I asked for it, since I’m here and I want you to myself.”

“Who did you ask?” I felt my temper flaring. “This is my job.”

“I know. I didn’t interfere. I asked Teddi to speak to your boss and explain that you had nothing to do with the request.”

“Oh God. I’m going to be so embarrassed walking around here.”

“Turns out your boss is quite the romantic, according to Theodora.”

“Stop. Just stop and go back to sleep.” I pretended to protest, but I really was super happy to melt back into Adam. Snuggling against him again in the soft bed, I closed my eyes and mumbled, “I can run tomorrow.”

“I can go if you want someone to slow you down.”

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