Wherever It Leads(32)

I take a deep breath and watch a man and woman holding hands. They shove each other playfully before he pulls her in for a quick kiss. It looks so easy. Happy.

Did I ever have that with Grant? Do I even know what that feels like?

Something stirs inside me.

“Okay,” I say, “I’m going to lay out in this hot as hell sun and forget all about this little deviation in our conversation.”

“And wait to get ravaged by the man of both of our dreams.”

“Exactly.”

“I want details, Calloway!”

“Maybe,” I laugh. “Call you later.”

“And if Mr. Avocado is Fenton’s twin, I’ll call you! Bye!”

“Bye,” I laugh, shaking my head.

I plop my earbuds in and find a music app and select a playlist that I use when I’m studying—something calm and relaxing. Closing my eyes, the heat beats down on my tired muscles and fretful mind. I let the music wash over me and picture Fenton’s sexy grin and the feeling of my hands tugging on his thick mane.

I must have fallen asleep because I’m shocked awake by my phone buzzing in my ears. Scrambling to sit up, I realize I’m still at the pool. I quickly gather my bearings and look at my screen. Fenton.

Jerking out my earbuds, I swing my feet to the side and press the green button.

“Hello?” I squint against the sun, trying to figure out how long I’ve been here.

“Where are you?”

“The pool,” I say as casually as possible.

The phone chirps and I look at the screen. FaceTime.

I glance down at my bikini-clad body.

Oh. Shit.

I tap the button.

He’s looking right at me on the screen. His jaw is pulsing, a vein I hadn’t noticed before throbbing at his temple. He’s not happy.

“Hey,” I say sweetly, hoping to distract him.

“Take the phone,” he commands, “And show me your body.”

“Fenton, wait—”

“Now.” The grin he gives me is misleading. I grin back. His smile vanishes. “Now, Brynne.”

I drop the screen to show my body and then pull it up to my face again. ”Relax. No one was getting to see me when you weren’t.”

When the phone faces me again, he’s not relaxed. He may even be a little worked up. “I’m going to be in the room in twelve minutes. I’m going to suggest you be there in eleven.”

“Are you serious?”

“Do I look serious?”

Seriously hot. But I don’t tempt the beast. Not now. Not when he’s looking at me like that.

“Okay. I’ll see you there,” I say, starting to end the call.

“Are you hanging up on me?”

“How do you want me to get appropriately clothed and make it to the room in ten and a half minutes and carry on a discussion with you in the process?”

“It’s a little late to be concerned with being appropriately clothed, don’t you think?”

“Will you seriously stop it?” I roll my eyes and it catches him off guard. His eyebrows shoot to the sky and he almost laughs. Almost. “I’m sitting back here by myself and relaxing. It’s not like I’m walking around, trying to pick up dick.”

“It’s a good f*cking thing.”

“Fine.” I sit the phone down and grab my coverup. I pull it on and grab my bag. He’s talking from the chair but I ignore him. He wants to be a baby, I’ll treat him like a baby.

“Brynne!”

“What?” I say, exasperated, jerking the phone to my face. I give him the look I give Presley when I’m trying to study and she won’t leave me alone. The look that says, You’re being stupid and I don’t even want to deal with you. Our eyes lock and a grin tugs at his lips. The lines on his face smooth out, his irritation melting before my eyes. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“Get your ass to the room and I’m going to show you just how ridiculous I can be.”

“It’s about f*cking time,” I say. “I was starting to think you were all talk and no action.”

“What the . . .” he stumbles, making me laugh.

“I’ll see you in nine.”

“Bry—”

“Eight and a half. Don’t be late,” I wink and end the call. The look on his face, the one of pure bewilderment, is worth whatever he says when we get up there.





An elevator is open and waiting for me, like the heavens above know I need to beat Fenton back to the suite. My sandal-clad feet slap against the floor. Two women dressed like high-end hookers give me disgusted looks and I shoot them my sweetest smile just to piss them off. It works.

I watch the floor numbers change in super slow motion.

My mind is buzzing with possibilities.

My room key card is ready in my hand when I get to the end of the hall and it shakes as I swipe it through the reader and hear the door unlatch.

He’s here.

I can sense him. I can smell the faint scent of his cologne, feel the heaviness of the air when he’s around. The door closes softly behind me, the sound, however faint, still making me jump. I have no idea what I’m walking into, but I know something’s off. Something has him more aggressive than I’ve seen him, and while it’s hotter than hell to see him all worked up, I still have enough sense to play it safe.