Page 46 of Kiss Me Forever

I grinned. "I quite like knowing these tidbits of information."

Finally, he paid for his purchase and then looked out the front door, possibly to give me privacy. The cashier scanned my items, putting everything in a bag.

"Dang, is the storm even worse?" I said, looking outside.

"Yeah."

"Well, nothing we can do about it. Let's make a run for it. I'm soaked anyway."

He nodded, and we stepped outside, putting on the ponchos and opening our umbrellas. As I was about to break into a run, the wind completely ruined my umbrella, turning it inside out. I tried to hang on to the handle with both hands, but the wind was strong and grabbed it, completely blowing it away. I let go when I felt a sharp sting on my thumb where the metal pressed into my skin.

"Ah!" I exclaimed. Damn it, that thing had been totally useless. Well, actually it had shielded me somewhat. Right now, I couldn't even see, let alone walk. My body was somewhat protected from the rain because of the poncho, but my face wasn’t spared.

Then I felt a warm arm around my shoulders.

"I've got you," Travis said. He was holding his umbrella a bit higher so it sheltered us both somewhat. The result was, of course, that half my body and half of his were completely out in the rain. It was an improvement for me but surely not for him.

We walked as fast as possible to the hotel. As soon as we stepped under the glass arch, he closed his umbrella and burst out laughing.

"This was a shit idea," he said.

I couldn't help it. I started laughing too. I was completely drenched, despite the poncho.

"Yes, it was." I was sure that the contents of my paper bag were equally drenched. That was okay. I only needed the panties tomorrow morning, so I could hang them up to dry in the bathroom. As for tonight’s clothes, I could dry them with the hair dryer.

We went inside the hotel, and I looked at the receptionist apologetically. "I'm sorry. The wind took away my umbrella."

"Don’t worry. You're the fourth one to have it happen."

"And here’s mine," Travis said, handing it to her.

"Thank you."

We were both surprised to find Luke standing next to the door when we turned around. Had he been there the whole time and we didn't see him?

"Jesus, brother, announce yourself," Travis said. "You surprised me."

"Where were you two?" he asked.

"We went to the general store. Got some stuff for you too."

"Thanks. Very generous." He looked between the two of us intently. Travis cocked a brow. I instantly felt as if I'd done something wrong, and it pissed me off.

"So, about dinner," Travis said, cutting through the tension. "It's five o’clock, so let's make it six thirty?"

"That's fine by me," I said.

Luke nodded.

Travis handed him a bag. “That’s the stuff I bought for you. I suggest we stay here for dinner. The rain is too strong. I've looked over the restaurant's menu, and it's decent."

I smiled. "Great. I'll just go to my room. I need to take a hot shower.”

"See you later," Travis said.

Luke didn't say anything. That feeling of wrongdoing intensified, and it made me even madder.

Just to be sure I wouldn't have another semi-sexy encounter in the elevator, I took the stairs. It also warmed me up a bit.

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