Page 35 of Unbearable Player

As they finished their meal, Reid excused himself to take a call from Jake. When he returned to the table, he found Brianne and his mother exchanging contact information.

“I’ve invited Brianne to our next family dinner,” Catherine informed him. “I hope that’s all right with you, dear.”

Reid blinked, pleasantly surprised. “Of course. That’s... that’s great.”

As they said their good-byes, Catherine pulled Brianne into a warm hug. “Welcome to the family, dear,” she whispered, just loud enough for Reid’s enhanced hearing to pick up.

Walking back to his penthouse, Reid reached for Brianne’s hand, intertwining their fingers. “So,” he said, trying to keep his tone casual, “what did you think of my mother?”

Brianne squeezed his hand, a soft smile playing at her lips. “She’s wonderful, Reid. Thank you for introducing us.”

Reid took a deep breath, deciding to lay his cards on the table. “Brianne, I know this whole situation is crazy. The stolen game, the undercover missions... it’s not exactly a normal way to start a relationship. But I need you to know how serious I am about this - about us.”

Brianne stopped walking, turning to face him fully. Her blue eyes searched his face, and Reid held his breath, waiting for her response.

“Reid, I...” she began, then paused, taking a deep breath. “I’m scared. Not of you, or of us, but of how fast and how hard I... I’ve never felt this way, and it terrifies me.”

Reid cupped her face gently, his thumb tracing her cheekbone. “There’s no need to be scared. I would never hurt you. But I think what we have is worth facing those fears. Together.”

Brianne leaned into his touch, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Together,” she repeated softly. “I like the sound of that.”

SIXTEEN

Brianne’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much. The breakfast with Reid’s mother, Catherine, had been an unexpected delight. She’d been nervous at first, worried about making a good impression, but Catherine’s warmth and genuine interest in her life had put her at ease. Now, as she and Reid sped toward a private airport in his sleek sports car, she couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly her life had changed.

“You know,” she said, turning to Reid with a mischievous grin, “when I woke up this morning, I didn’t expect to be whisked away on a private jet by a handsome bear shifter.”

Reid chuckled, his deep laugh sending a pleasant shiver down her spine. “Expect the unexpected, Ms. Ellis. It’s part of my charm.”

As they pulled up to the airport, Brianne’s eyes widened. The jet waiting for them gleamed in the sunlight, its sleek lines promising luxury and adventure. “Holy pixel sprites,” she breathed. “That’s your family jet?”

Reid grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction. “One of the perks of being a successful CEO. Come on, let me give you the grand tour.”

He led her up the steps. Inside, the jet was a marvel of comfort and technology. Plush leather seats, a fully stocked bar, and even a gaming console tucked discreetly into one corner.

“I think I’m in love,” Brianne declared, running her hand over the smooth surface of a nearby table. “With the jet, I mean. Sorry, Reid, you’ve got some stiff competition.”

Reid laughed, pulling her close. “I’ll just have to up my game then, won’t I?”

As they settled in for takeoff, Brianne couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. This whole situation - the whirlwind romance, the high-stakes adventure with the Glitchers, and now this surprise trip - it all seemed too good to be true. Part of her worried that at any moment, she’d wake up and find it had all been a dream.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Reid’s voice broke through her reverie.

Brianne smiled, a bit sheepishly. “Just... processing, I guess. This is all so surreal. A week ago, I was just a game developer with a stolen prototype. Now I’m jetting off to who-knows-where with a guy who makes my heart do backflips.”

Reid’s expression softened, and he reached out to take her hand. “I know it’s a lot to take in. But I promise you, Brianne, this is real. And I’m not going anywhere.”

The sincerity in his voice made her throat tight with emotion. She squeezed his hand, unable to find the words to express how much his reassurance meant to her.

As the jet took off, Brianne gazed out the window, watching New York shrink beneath them. “So, are you going to tell me where we’re going, or is this some kind of bear shifter surprise?”

Reid’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “What’s the fun in that? Let’s just say it’s somewhere I think you’ll enjoy. A place where nature’s power meets human ingenuity.”

Brianne narrowed her eyes playfully. “Hmm, cryptic. All right, Mr. Mystery, I’ll play along. But if we end up in some underground bear cave, I’m demanding a refund on this trip.”

The flight passed quickly, filled with easy conversation and shared laughter. Brianne found herself continually amazed by how comfortable she felt with Reid. It was as if they’d known each other for years rather than days.

As they began their descent, Reid finally revealed their destination. “Welcome to Niagara Falls, Brianne.”

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