Page 31 of Innocent Princess

"Yeah, you were engrossed in the glasses." He chuckles.

"I would have paid. This is my trip." I huff. I hate that he's footing the bill.

"No worries, Blondie. Think of it as me treating you to dinner." I giggle and nod. He has a point.

Back in our room, I kick off my flippies and start to pull out the provisions, wondering if he'd mind if I opened the donuts now.

"Hey, I got you something." He's standing next to me, close enough that our arms are nearly touching when he hands me a box. I take the box from him and realize it's a box of purple hair dye. The grin grows on my face, and when I look up at him, his smile matches my own.

"It's semi-permanent, so after a few washes, it'll come out. Thought I'd help you mark off another bucket list item." He lifts his shoulder like it isn't a big deal, but it is to me. Turning slightly, so I'm facing him, I catch him off guard with a hug. He laughs as he hugs me back.

"Gotta admit, Blondie, I'm liking how you thank me."

"You give the best presents," I say as I lean back from him, bringing us face to face.

He smirks—a cocky, sexy smirk. "I give good—"

I place my hand over his mouth. "Don't ruin the moment, Ryker."

He winks at me, then kisses the palm of my hand. Tingles shoot through my hand, up my arm, and straight down to my core. I blink and slowly remove my hand from his mouth. The flush creeps up my neck and stops at my cheeks. I step back, and he lets go of me.

"I'm going to do this now. You good out here?" I walk backward, taking the box with me.

He winks again. "I'm sure I'll find something to do while I wait for you and your purple hair."

"That's good." I scurry into the bathroom and close the door.

Thirty minutes later, I open up the bathroom, and a rush of cool air hits my skin as all the steam that was held hostage in the tiny bathroom escapes. Upon reading the directions on the hair color box, I realized there was no way I’d be able to dye my own hair. There is just too much of it. So I decided on a nice sized chunk near the front of my head and dyed that instead. Then I showered off a day's worth of travel and biker bar stench. I normally don't blow dry my hair, mostly because I don't have time for that, but using the compact blow dryer in the bathroom, I now have a section of dry, purple hair.

The bathroom mirror clears from its fog as I braid my hair. I absolutely adore the pop of color. That's it. I'm going to make a hair appointment when we get back home, and I'm getting my hair cut. I want more colors in my hair. I'm going to have to revisit all the pictures I have saved in a special folder on my phone, so I know exactly what I want.

Stepping out of the bathroom, I see Ryker on his bed, leaning against the headboard, arm behind his head, watching something on the television. He focuses on me and drops the remote in his hand.

"Well, let's see it, Blondie." He kicks his feet over the side of the bed, sitting there waiting for me as I walk to him. I sit down opposite of him on my bed and pull my braid over my shoulder and turn the side of my head toward him.

"I didn't have enough for all my hair, so I just did a strip. I love it." I tell him as I face him.

His smile is soft and sweet. "It suits you. I almost think the strip is better." He lifts his hand and snags a piece of purple hair that has already fallen from the braid. I swear, my hair has a mind of its own, and right now, it's asking for Ryker's touch.

He gently toys the strands, twirling them between his forefinger and thumb. I don't realize I'm leaning in toward him until I notice how close we are. He's leaning in too, my hair drawing us together.

I bite my lip as my gaze drops to his mouth. The corner of his mouth tips up in a smirk, and my eyes dart back to his. He isn't looking at me though. No, his focus is on my hair that is within his grasp. He must sense my gaze because he slowly drags his eyes to mine, then they drop to my lips.

My body flushes with heat as I sit there, still as can be, hoping and praying that he kisses me. My breath hitches as he drops my hair and catches my chin between his fingers. Tilting my face up, he's all slow and steady. I struggle to catch my breath and play it cool.

He leans in closing the distance and presses hip lips ever so lightly on mine. His kiss is gentle, but he moves his against mine with such intimacy, it steals my breath away. I return the kiss with fervor, matching his lips’ sensual caress. He breaks the connection all too soon, but it lingers, and I'm slow to open my eyes.

Blinking, I'm greeted with his handsome face.

"I've been wanting to do that for a while now, Blondie." He's back on his bed, and I can tell from his distance, he doesn't plan on taking this further.

"What took you so long?" I challenge, because dang it, I want more. So much more.

"Just want to do things right with you, Zella." While I love it when he calls me Blondie, hearing my name on his lips sends thousands of little shivers through my body.

We are lost in the moment, both smiling at each other, heat raging between us. He abruptly stands, and I slowly drag my eyes up his tall, athletic form.

"I'm gonna shower. I'll be quick, but I rented us a movie on demand. Some chick flick about some college acapella groups."

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