Kylee rubbed her temple. “Then where the hell is he?”
There was silence between them. Then Kelly said, “Either he’s an idiot, or he’s planning something.”
Kylee stared at the floor. Her heart thudded. Kylee hesitated, then asked, “Wait, how do you know about the song?”
Kelly chuckled. “Girl, it’s everywhere. The internet’s buzzing. Rio Riot’s new mystery woman? That’s all anyone can talk about.”
Kylee’s eyes widened. “Holy shit. Jake’s going to find out.”
Kelly’s tone was serious but teasing. “Doubt it, no one knows it’s you. I know because you’re my sister duh.”
Kylee’s heart skipped a beat as she heard the front door open. She glanced at her phone, still pressed to her ear with Kelly, and quickly hit the end call button.
Before she could say anything else, Rio appeared in the doorway, carrying the biggest bouquet of roses she’d ever seen. His eyes softened the moment they met hers.
“I’m sorry for leaving without telling you,” he said quietly, stepping inside. “You were sleeping so peacefully... I didn’t want to wake you.”
He set the flowers down gently, then smiled. “Breakfast’s on the way. Thought you might like a proper start to the day.”
Kylee felt a rush of emotions, relief, surprise, and something else she hadn’t expected.
Rio took her hand with a playful grin and led her out to the poolside patio. The morning sun was climbing over the hills, casting a golden hue over the Hollywood sign in the distance. A small round table was elegantly set with breakfast. Fresh fruit, croissants, eggs, and two steaming cups of coffee.
The view was breathtaking, but the setup felt intimate… intentional. Kylee sat down, still wrapped in his T-shirt, feeling the cool breeze dance across her legs.
“This is beautiful,” she said, glancing at him as he poured her coffee.
“You’re beautiful,” he said without hesitation, locking eyes with her. “Last night was…”
“Yeah,” she whispered, heat creeping into her cheeks.
Rio leaned back in his chair, studying her with that smoldering look that always made her pulse quicken. “So how are you feeling? About all of it.”
Kylee hesitated for a moment, then gave him a small, vulnerable smile. “I’ve never had anyone go down on me before,” she admitted. “Jake always said it was... gross.”
Rio’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait, what? Is he crazy?”
She laughed, half-embarrassed. “Apparently.”
He shook his head with a scoff and leaned in, lowering his voice. “Let me tell you something, Idaho. Going down on you was the farthest thing from gross. That was worship. That was me losing my mind over how damn perfect you taste.”
Kylee blinked at him, caught off guard by his raw honesty. “And for the record,” he added, gaze darkening with heat, “I don’t do that with random girls I take to hotel rooms. That’s nasty. But when you’ve got someone as rare, as precious, as you?” He reached for her hand again. “Nothing about you is ever nasty. You hear me?”
She swallowed hard, heart pounding. “I hear you.” And in that moment, she believed him.
Rio grinned and brought her knuckles to his lips. “So what’s next for you, Idaho?” he asked softly.
Kylee sighed, eyes trailing over the glimmering skyline. “I go home in the morning. Back to real life.”
He leaned forward, his voice lower now, more serious. “Stay one more night.”
She looked at him, brows lifting. “Rio…”
“Please.” He wasn’t smiling anymore. “I know you have a life, kids, a million things waiting on you but just one more night. No pressure. No expectations. I just want more time with you.”
She blinked, surprised by how fast her heart answered before her brain even had the chance to weigh in. There was no hesitation. No guilt. No tug-of-war.
“Okay,” she said, a soft smile curling on her lips. “One more night. But just one. I have to get back.”
