Page 88 of My Ruthless Opponent

No, I am not okay. And I could use a hug right now. But that won’t happen. I am already emotional right now. I don’t want to make our equation any more complicated than it already is.

After all, I came here to clear my head because of him.

I needed to get away from him. And his tempting offer.

We can’t happen. It’s too risky.

And right now, I am so emotionally drained, I wouldn’t be able to resist him if he showed me his caring side.

I scoff. “Of course, I am.”

When I feel his eyes on me, I try to jerk out of his hold.

“Let’s go inside,” I murmur. The tough act is suddenly too taxing to maintain.

He tugs me to the side and suddenly my head is against his chest and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat in my ear.

Raleigh’s arms wrap around me tightly.

I don’t even fight him. How pathetic is that? Resisting him has suddenly become difficult.

He doesn’t ask a single question. Just hugs me. And I hug him back, my arms circling his trim waist, my eyes closed.

Raleigh caresses my back and I melt into him some more.

This is a platonic hug. The usual fiery tension is missing. In its place is peace. A level of comfort I never thought I could share with him.

A minute later, he buries his nose in the crook of my neck. A content sigh leaves him and I smile.

He silenced my inner chaos.

Without words, he eased my pain to an extent that it doesn’t hurt when I draw another breath now.

“Hannah.” He speaks against my neck.

“Hmm.” I didn’t realize up until now that Raleigh was rocking me while we are locked in an embrace.

He groans. “The mosquitoes are killing me.”

My eyes snap open, I pull away to look at him. He reaches up and slaps what looks like a mosquito off him.

I snort but roll my lips between my teeth.

Laughter erupts from my mouth when he steps back and slaps at his calf.

“You nasty bloodsucker, I am going to kill you.” He growls as he begins clapping his hands around, trying to kill them.

“We should head inside.” I try to speak between bouts of laughter.

Tears are leaking from my eyes. Again. Only this time, they are from amusement. Thanks to Raleigh.

“Yes, please.” He groans as he hits his bicep.

I am smiling the entire way to our suite.

Raleigh wasn’t exaggerating. There are red mosquito bites all over his arms and legs.

Surprisingly, I was unharmed and that fact made him glare at me throughout our way up.

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