Page 123 of Critical Doubt

"Do you guys want to stay at my place?" Parisa asked. "I have an extra room and a couch, if that was to be needed."

"I don't want to put you out," she replied. "But thanks for the offer."

"You wouldn't be putting me out. But if you want a little more privacy, I get it."

Her cheeks warmed at the gleam in Parisa's eyes. "Thank you for everything," she said, getting to her feet.

"Any time, Savannah. And remember what I said."

"I will," she promised. Then she turned to Ryker. "Are you ready to go?"

"More than ready."

They took the elevator down to the garage and got into Ryker's truck. "Where do you want to go?" she asked, as she fastened her seat belt.

"Let's find the nearest hotel and order room service."

She liked the sound of that. She was not ready to say good-bye to him yet.

Fifteen minutes later, they walked into a beautiful and luxurious suite at the Carmichael Hotel, a five-star property. Ryker had insisted on picking up this room, since there was no longer any need for them to be staying under an alias. She had to admit she was impressed with his choice, especially with the king-sized bed in the over-sized suite that included a love seat, a dining table, and an antique desk. There was also a large flat-screen television along one wall. But it was the bath that really took her breath away: white marble floors, and a deep Jacuzzi tub, big enough for two.

"Good enough?" Ryker asked, as they returned to the room.

"More than good. This is really expensive, Ryker."

"Don't you think we deserve it?"

"We do."

He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. She happily went into the embrace, resting her head against his solid chest. It felt like it had been years since they'd made love, but it had only been twenty-four hours ago. So much had happened, and she was thrilled to have a moment to just hold on to Ryker and to have him hold on to her.

"So," he began.

She lifted her head. "You have something you want to say?"

"I'm hoping you have something to say," he replied, with a gleam in his eyes.

She knew exactly what he was talking about. "I love you, too, Ryker."

"Well, it took you long enough."

"You didn't give me a chance before. And there was a part of me that wasn't sure you didn't say it just to keep me from following you into the barn."

"That wasn't the reason. I wanted to say it in case I didn't get a chance. I wanted you to know how I feel about you."

"It's crazy fast."

"It's been five years."

She smiled. "I don't think all those years in between count since you didn't even know my name."

"I still missed you. More than I ever would have expected. Probably more than you would ever believe. But you would pop into my mind at random moments, and I would often see you in my dreams."

Her heart twisted with pleasure at his words. "I thought about you, too. But then I'd tell myself it couldn't possibly have been as good as I remembered. I had to convince myself of that so I wouldn't try to find you, so I'd be able to move on." She took a breath. "But what now? I know that's the question every man hates, but I have to ask it."

"I don't hate the question; I'm just not sure of the answer."

"You don't have to know the answer," she said quickly. "We don't have to decide anything tonight."

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