Page 52 of Hook Up

That’s a whirlwind if I’ve ever seen one. But, as my mother always said, I don’t do things slow and I don’t do them halfway.

I don’t have a single regret. Here’s hoping she’s not second-guessing our nuptials. “Hey, where’s your head at, Gigi?”

“You don’t owe me a trip to Paris. You don’t owe me anything, Ryder. I guess I feel a bit out of my element, wondering how I’m going to contribute to this relationship. You earn in a day what I earn in… ten years.”

“I didn’t marry you for your money, Gigi. I married you for this sexy as hell body.” Delivering a firm smack to her ass, I earn a squeal of approval.

“I didn’t marry you for your money, either.” I believe her. If there’s one thing I know about Gigi, she’s honest to a fault. She’s also generous with her heart and her time.

She’s my perfect.

“Good to know, even though you are rich now.”

Her eyes glaze at my humorous retort. “I don’t want your money, Ryder.”

Pulling her close, I knit my fingers in her dark hair, forcing her to meet my gaze. “I want you, by my side, every day. Is that okay with you?”

Now the smile returns full force. “That’s perfect.”

“So, you’ll travel the circuit with me?”

“Of course, even if I spend most of the race averting my eyes and praying for your safety.”

“Fair enough, so long as you cheer the loudest when I win.”

“Deal.” Leaning forward, she claims my mouth, her tongue slow and coaxing against mine. “Can I tell you something?”

I nod, winking at her when she straddles my waist. “I like this conversation already.”

“I didn’t want to go to Vegas and see you. I worried you’d be with another woman. But at the last minute, I decided to go. I planned on bedding some hot guy and making you jealous that you missed out.”

Typical Greer. I love that her emotions ran so hot all these years later. Proof they’ll stay that spicy for a lifetime.

“Well, you did bed a hot guy. Hell, you married him.”

A snort of laughter flies from Greer’s mouth as she smacks my chest. “Conceited ass.”

“Am I wrong?”

She cocks her brow at me. “You have your moments.”

“Take it back.”

“Or what?”

Rolling her onto her back, I move over top of her, cupping her head. “I’ll spend the rest of the night convincing you of all the ways you’re wrong.”

“I think I’ll enjoy your form of punishment.”

Reality sinks in the next morning, as we scramble around the villa, packing our things. Despite my repeated pleas, Gigi has to return to New York. She needs to give notice at her job and pack up her apartment.

I have to return to Charlotte to prepare for race season.

I don’t want to go anywhere without her.

“I wanted you with me,” I groan, falling back on the bed.

“You’re going to be so busy these next couple of weeks you won’t even miss me.”

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