Page 58 of Nothing to Beat

“Yeah, he lived like that before Jane.Now when he zips, it’s in her wake.”

That truth warmed Roxie’s smile again.“Why do you think I allow him to be with my incredible best friend?If he didn’t value how amazing and addictive she is, and prove it time and again, we would never have let him get so close to her.Jane’s precious, a gem of a human being.She deserves more than the world.”

“Rox Out is protective of her girls,” Tripp explained.

Yes, she’d heard as much.“Loyalty is a valuable commodity.”

“It’s nice to meet a person who appreciates that.”Roxie straightened as the car rolled to a stop.“Time to settle in.”

TWENTY-ONE

THEY DIDN’T GET MUCH time to relax before their assigned butler came into the suite to announce a guest.

“A guest?”she asked as the butler went to fetch them.“Who knows we’re here?”

“Since Roxie landed?”Tripp inhaled.“Everyone.”

Huh, maybe it wasn’t such a great idea to travel with a celebrity when attempting to go under the radar.Especially when visiting a city that was all about fame, faces, and who’s who.Everyone was paying attention there.Many people would want to get near Roxie, especially so close to the wedding.

Except when their guest came striding in, he wasn’t any autograph hunter.

“Bastian,” she breathed.

Uh oh.

Something she hadn’t mentioned?Breck had more than one close friend.He had two.Men he’d entrust with his life, or hers, brothers in every way that counted: Caspian Collier and Bastian Hunt.

Maybe “brothers” wasn’t the right descriptor.Part of the appeal was them being out of the Breckenridge stratosphere.Yes, the three families interacted, but each of the three men understood what it was to be relied on heavily.Being the eldest of their generation, they assumed the responsibility of sustaining their families and perpetuating the legacy.It was no wonder they had such an affinity.

While she’d been busy worrying about workaholic Caspian Collier, she hadn’t considered the other guy living in town.Not just living in town, he owned the hotel they were standing in, this one and the rest of them.She’d stayed in Grand Hotels plenty and never come across him.Of course it would be the one time she wanted privacy that he’d pop up right where she was.

“Seq,” Bastian said, his welcoming smile so bright she couldn’t regret him being there.

When he opened his arms, she went into them.It was an odd relief to have them close around her.Nothing would go wrong now.Not until she stepped out of the hug anyway.

He and Tripp shook hands.“Good to see you, man.”When their hands dropped, Roxie got everyone’s attention.“Have you met Roxie?”

“No, which is a wonder, given you’re getting married here soon.”

“Do you have a rule about meeting every couple marrying in your hotels?”Roxie asked.

“When they’re booking out the entire hotel, and all our sister hotels in the area, I should,” Bastian said.“You’re single-handedly funding our expansion.”He offered a hand.“Bastian Hunt.”

“Roxanna Kyst.”Though apparently dubious, Roxie gave him her hand to shake.“I know your mother.”

“Yes, and she speaks highly of you.Incredibly highly.No Zairn?”

“Not yet.I’m sure he’ll show up before the big day.If not, we’ll draw another guy’s name from a hat.Someone will stand up with me.Our deposits are non-refundable anyway, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Bastian’s a good guy,” Tripp said, bumping Roxie’s arm with his.“Stop busting his balls.”

“Are you married, Mr.Hunt?”Roxie asked him, seeming reluctant to trust Tripp’s claim, if she’d even heard it.

“No.”

“Girlfriend?”

“No.Are you interested in the role?I thought you were getting married.I may have to refund the deposits if we run away together, Ms.Kyst.”

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