Page 16 of Ride Me

I run my fingers along the curves of her body, tracing lazy patterns against her damp skin, but I don’t let her go. I can’t. Everything feels different now—sharper, more real. It’s like theworld shifted on its axis, and I’m only just realizing that this is where I was always meant to be. With her.

Priya isn’t just a moment, she’s my forever. And the thought of anything or anyone hurting her makes something primal stir inside me. I’m overwhelmed with the need to keep her close and protect her at all costs.

The urge is too strong to ignore. I roll her beneath me again, swallowing the soft gasp that escapes her lips. I take her once more, slower this time. It’s less frantic and more certain. It’s a claiming… a promise.

And when the words spill from my lips again, I don’t try to stop them. “I love you.”

But this time, neither of us laughs.

CHAPTER 10

PRIYA

Bowen isfast asleep with his massive arms still locked around me. His warmth cocoons me and the moonlight creates a soft glow in the suite. The steady rise and fall of his chest beneath my palm feels like peace.

I’ve never felt more beautiful than I do when I see myself reflected in his eyes. Being with Bowen is pure magic. Having him inside of me filled something deep and undeniable that I didn’t even know I was missing. There isn’t a single thing fake about the way I feel for this man.

I lay in peaceful silence, memorizing the details of him. I note the way his lashes fan against his cheek. I see the slight furrow in his brow even in sleep, it’s like he’s still half-protecting, half-claiming me even now. I trace the line of his jaw and the muscles of his shoulder. His body is perfect and the contrast of his hard lines pressed against my round curves melts me.

But a sound in the hall pulls me back to the present. It’s footsteps.

Suddenly reality encroaches. I realize I’m at work in suites reserved for guests… And I’m naked. My clothing is scattered somewhere between the hallway and the lobby. I listen moreintently. The sound of boots against the hardwood floors makes their way toward the cooler. The lid opens and then closes again.

Dammit.

I lost myself in my night with Bowen. never moved the rest of the water bottles over. The guys are going to wake up hungover and it will be another thing for them to complain about. Meanwhile, I’ll be freaking naked. I can’t have that getting back to my parents.

I glance back at Bowen, debating whether to wake him, but the deep, even breaths leaving his lips make my decision for me. Instead, I carefully slip from his grasp, easing out of bed without disturbing him.

The night air kisses my bare legs as I tug on the first thing I find. I pull Bowen’s shirt over my head. It’s oversized and soft against my skin. The fabric carries his scent, and for a second I consider crawling back into bed beside him. But the thought of the sun coming up on my naked body and the waterless coolers propels me forward.

I’ll be quick.

I wait until the footsteps fade down the hall, then slip out the door, moving as quietly as possible. The dim glow of the overhead lights cast long shadows along the walls as I make my way down the corridor, scanning for any sign of my discarded clothes.

A wad of denim. Maybe a shirt.

Then I spot my lacey pink bra just outside the door in the courtyard. It’s tangled together with a branch and my shirt where we carelessly left it in the rush of last night. Heat creeps up my neck at the sight. But there’s no time for embarrassment. Moving quickly, I tiptoe down the hall, push through the glass doors, and scoop up my bra and shirt in one swift motion.

Just as I step back inside, a voice cuts through the quiet. “Ha. That sounds about right.”

It’s deep, loud, and oblivious to the concept of privacy. I’d recognize it anywhere and my blood runs cold.Gunner. Of course.

“You know, Pri, this really hurts my feelings,” he drawls, his voice thick with mock injury. “You wanted me to find you half-naked. And all I wanted was to talk to you. So, you get what you want… again. And I’ve just gotta deal with it.”

I stiffen, my grip tightening around the wad of fabric in my hands. “This isn’t about you, Gunner. I’m sorry to break it to you, but not everything in my life revolves around you.” I square my shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. “Besides, I never wanted this. You cheated on me, remember? Or are you confusing the story you fed the press with reality?”

His smirk falters for half a second before he recovers. “Come on, don’t be like that. It’s complicated.”

“No, it’s really not.” I let out a humorless chuckle and take a step away from him.

Then I hear voices and it stops me in my tracks. They are loud and close. My stomach turns.

“Someone’s up,” I whisper.

Gunner glances toward the hallway, his cocky grin faltering. “It’s just the social media crew. Don’t worry, I’m sure they won’t take pictures now. It’s so late.”

His words are casual, but his eyes widen as the voices get louder. I think I might be sick. There’s no way I’ll make it back to my suite without them seeing me and we both know it. I’m standing in the middle of a dimly lit hallway, wearing nothing but Bowen’s shirt, my hair a tangled mess, my bare legs completely exposed. A flash of panic hits me as I imagine news of this getting back to my parents.

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