The bus door closed and the engine burred to life. The steady vibrations coursing through the cushioned seat didn’t help his surge in blood flow. The pulsation damn near killed him. He wondered how long he should wait. One minute? Two? Joining her in the shower was inevitable.
“Don’t bother.” Mitch placed his beer on the table. “I’ve tried getting some bathroom action before and it isn’t worth it. You can barely turn in the shower, let alone swing a dick. Save it until she gets out.”
Ryan glanced over his shoulder to Pat. The driver already had his headphones in place, the music loud enough for him to hear the garbled noise over the hum of the engine. “Don’t forget we’re trying to keep this under wraps.”
“Don’t worry. He can’t hear a thing.”
They were on the road in minutes, the cityscape going unnoticed as he kept his gaze trained on the bathroom door.
“So you’re really doing this,” Blake murmured. “Doingher, I mean.”
He took another swig, and raised a brow. “It’s a bit late to be askin’, isn’t it?”
“Don’t get your cock in a twist.” Blake landed an elbow to Ryan’s ribs. “I just thought you and Felicity might be a thing…”
“No.” He cringed. “Not even close.”
“So you’re all in with Leah?”
“If this is the lead up to warning me away, you can save your breath.” He looked Blake head-on. “I have no intention of hurting her.”
“It’s not her I’m worried about. She’s got bigger balls than all of us. I’m more concerned you’ve taken on a challenge you’re not prepared for.”
He glanced back at the bathroom door, willing it to open. “I can handle it.” At least he hoped he could. Tonight wasn’t a good indicator. His emotions were continuing to spiral, the excitement and frustration over being alone with her a building force. But there was Julie to think about. Grander. Felicity. The paparazzi. Leah’s career. The list was endless.
“Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”
He smirked, an expression borne of determination, not confidence. “Don’t worry. I’m a big eater.”
The click of the bathroom door drew him to his feet. He grabbed a beer from the fridge, twisted the lid and slid back into the seat as she approached in a thin, loose sweatshirt and a pair of cotton shorts. Her hair was loose, her pretty face devoid of make-up. Casual, yet undeniably perfect.
Mitch patted the seat beside him and she sank into the offering, her gaze flittering from one man to the next. “What were you talking about?”
He smirked through another gulp from his bottle. “The weather.”
“The weather?” She gave a coy smile. “Interesting.” She grasped the beer in front of her and sipped, her tongue working her bottom lip in a slow sweep. “What’s the forecast?”
Blake snickered. “I think it’s going to get steamy.”
“And wet,” Mitch added.
Her lips twitched. “I find it hard to believe the two of you are in grown-up relationships.”
“Uh huh.” Blake nodded. “We get to see real boobies.”
She rolled her eyes with a chuckle. “How is Gabi?”
“Round and glowing and absolutely beautiful.” He grinned. “She’s going to be a phenomenal mother.”
“I agree. The two of you will make great parents.”
“And what about you?” Mitch slid his arm along the back of the booth seat. “Do you plan on having brats of your own?”
“Not anytime soon.”
Ryan swallowed over the spike in awareness. He couldn’t deny the instinct to fill his woman with babies. If able, he’d give her a houseful of the little rug-rats. “You’d be a good mother. A hard-ass, but a great mother all the same.”
She met his focus and took a pull of her beer. “I’m too selfish. It’s different for guys. You don’t have to contemplate the loss of a career, or income. Then there’s the lack of freedom. I also like my body the way it is.”