Hauling my large wheeled case and my heavy backpack, I picked up my step. The universe decided to be kind, parting the way toward him. He stood straight when I was a couple of meters away, a slight shake to his body. And hell if I couldn’t relate. My whole body vibrated, desperate for contact. Finally, I was in his arms, wrapped in a fierce hug and swallowing hard.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I mumbled against his neck, risking a small kiss against his warm skin. A shudder racked through him, and he held tighter still before releasing me. I forced myself to step back, stopping at what would be an appropriate distance for two friends greeting each other. Despite the frustration, my smile came quickly when I took my fill. “Hey.”
With that one word, heat flooded his expression. My smile stretched into a grin. That he struggled was a hell of a thing and reassuring as fuck.
“Let’s get out of here. I’ve booked us the nicest, closest hotel.” His gaze dipped down my body and dropped to my hand. A vibration tingled through my palm, knowing what he wanted.
Clearing my throat, I nodded and grabbed the strap of my backpack. It took all my effort to play by the rules, but we’d both agreed to our compromise. There was no chance I’d screw with that.
With a flex of his fingers, Ryan reached for my large case. “Let me get that.”
Warmth settled in my belly. “Thanks.”
Indicating for me to follow, Ryan led the way, head down but clearly keeping an eye on the path ahead. We dodged passengers, avoided large groups of people, and made for the exit and the area with waiting cars.
A man stepped out of a large SUV, nodded at Ryan, and opened the back door. Ryan passed him the case and waited for me to hand my bag over before he ushered me in. I scooted over, my focus on Ryan, mildly aware of the blacked-out windows.
Once the door was closed and the bags were stowed, we had a few seconds of privacy. Ryan’s eyes dipped to my mouth, and I wet my bottom lip, fresh flutters forming in my belly. And then his mouth touched mine, so damn brief I could have imagined it happened. Only the buzz on my lips, Ryan sitting up straight and repositioning his T-shirt over his shorts, reassured me that for a blissful second, we’d shared a kiss.
The door opening jolted me and made me aware my own pants situation wasn’t doing too well. I shifted as subtly as possible, trying to nudge my dick from being strangled behind my denim. Beneath the radio playing and the start of the engine, I didn’t miss Ryan’s quiet chuckle.
Bastard.
“Piss off,” I grumbled quietly, lips twitching despite my discomfort.
Amusement lit his features, though his eyes told a very different story.
“Straight to the hotel, Mr. Broadwater?”
Ryan turned his head toward the driver. “Yeah, that’s great, thank you.”
“We should be there in under thirty.”
“Perfect.”
The driver nodded and focused on maneuvering through the crazy LA traffic.
“How was your flight?”
Somehow I held back the shiver at the sound of his voice so close. Meeting his stare, I smiled. “Easy, comfortable. Thanks again.”
A soft smile formed when he nodded. “I can be selfish when I want to be.”
I bit the insides of my cheeks, recalling all too clearly one of our compromises. During his final few days in Australia, we’d been to-ing and fro-ing through our whole plan. The business- or first-class tickets so I could travel in comfort, but more specifically so I’d be well-rested and ready for more nefarious activities was not something I’d balked at.
My acquiescence had taken Ryan by surprise, as he’d prepared for a battle. I’d laughed, saying, “It’s as if you don’t know me at all,” before pouncing on him and sucking him off. After weeks of not being together, I didn’t want to be too exhausted to enjoy every moment of our reunion.
“So,” I said, quickly changing the subject, “what did you do yesterday after you flew in?”
The bastard quirked a brow at me and smirked. It was a look I could decipher so bloody easily. The wanker had been, well… wanking, while I’d been traveling.
After a moment of his less-than-subtle leer, he said, “Called up Sutton. He’s weirdly super animated on the phone.”
I chuckled at the image of a chatty Sutton. Jayden… absolutely, but Sutton was generally quiet, only speaking when he had something of substance to say. My impression of him had been confirmed by Ryan. “Yeah, he okay? Jayden still pining for you?”
Ryan’s grin was sexy as hell. “He’s stopped being so needy. They’re both flying out next week to hang out.”
My brows shot up in surprise. “Really?” The knowledge made me happy. One of the first things Ryan had done seven weeks ago when he’d returned to Minnesota was talk to his friends. As predicted, they’d done more than taken it in their stride. They’d said the right things, were supportive, but more than that, they meant it and had Ryan’s back. Before Ryan moved to Vegas, they’d interrupted more than a call or two between us. It was a relief to know he had their friendship, especially when I’d be splitting my time between Vegas and the Sunny Coast.
