Page 134 of Rule 2: Never Join a Christmas Dating Show
I’m not going to say I can’t be feelingthat.
Because I am.
I totally am.
I am completely and utterly in love with Luke.
Even though tomorrow night he’s going to choose a woman to spend his life with, and the media will follow his every move. Even though soon I’m going to have to sneak back into my room and say I went on a super long walk or something to cool down from my anger.
I love him.
I want what’s best for him.
His eyes soften. “Let’s go.”
I follow him up the stairs, then we stop in front of a door that says VIP Only.
Luke enters a code, then the door swings open.
Soft leather seats surround us. A lush Christmas tree sits in one section of the room, beside a long bar. My gaze darts to the ice. The view is amazing, and for a moment, I stare. Then Luke wraps his arms around me and nestles his chin against my cheek.
“I missed you.” His tenor voice rumbles in my ear, and he hits a button, and blinds groan downwards.
“This is probably not proper,” I say.
“Absolutely not,” he agrees.
“How are you able to come here?”
“Alternate captains have the codes to everywhere.”
“Because you’re so responsible.”
“Utterly.” Then Luke turns me around and stares into my eyes, and my world is just him. He cups my cheek.
“There’s something you need to know,” he says, and I stiffen, because that phrase could be followed by anything.
Like maybe I need to know I shouldn’t show up at his workplace.
Or maybe I need to know I shouldn’t sit with the media reporting on him, even though I have a press pass, because that might inspire them to write about us or something.
Or maybe I need to know something else. Like...
“You’re thinking too hard,” he whispers. He takes my hands in his, and nervousness moves over his face.
“I’m sort of glad you ran away,” he admits, and I stiffen. “Fuck. I’m not saying this right.”
I’m not sure if there’s a way he can end that sentence that does make things right, but I gaze at him.
He is still holding onto my hands.
He doesn’t seem angry I came.
I try to remind myself of those things.
“Because it made me realize I don’t want any world without you,” he says finally.
Oh.
