“Speaking of your honeymoon, I need details,” Ruby said. “And pictures.”
And so, conversation shifted to Elle and Theo’s honeymoon in Tahiti. They regaled the table with stories about their vacation. Ruby ended up on the other side of the table with one arm around Elle’s shoulders as she looked at photos on her phone.
They ate chicken Florentine and shared more casual, comfortable conversation than Flynn could remember sharing with a group of friends in ages. The truth was, he spent most of his time traveling to work locations, supervising crew, or conducting business with various corporate associates. Even family dinners tended to focus on talk about Exeter.
By the time he and Ruby left the castle, he was comfortably full and relaxed, eyes watery from so much laughter. “Your friends are fantastic.”
Ruby looked over at him with a smile. “They’re the best.”
“I have to agree.” It drove a dagger through his chest because he knew, after tonight, he could never ask her to leave Rosemont Castle for him. But it also gave him peace about heading out tomorrow, because he could always picture her here, happy and thriving, surrounded by people who loved her. Ruby was a gem in every sense of the word.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she said.
“I am too. And I’m glad I’ll get to see a little more of the area with you tomorrow before I leave. But right now, I’m glad to spend this night with you.”
“I’m pretty happy about that too.” She gave him a look that set his blood pumping.
He was more than happy that he’d gotten to spend those two weeks with her while she was recuperating, but now that she was well, and especially after that moment they’d shared together on the plane, he wanted—needed—this last night with her.
If she was up for it.
“You must be tired,” he said.
“Not that tired.” She stopped and turned, claiming his mouth for a kiss that lit every cell in his body on fire.
“I’m really glad to hear that.” He slid his palms down her back, pressing her closer, lost in the feel of her breasts against his chest, the roll of her hips as they met his.
“Look up,” she whispered.
He did and found himself staring into an endless expanse of stars overhead, highlighted by the moon, which hung bright and round just above the tree line to their left. “Full moon.”
“Mm hmm. Sounds like a good excuse for anything and everything we want to do tonight.” She slid her fingers through his belt loop and yanked, leading him toward the guest house.
And he sure as hell wasn’t going to argue with that. He followed, hands roaming wherever he could reach as they walked. She let them into the guest house, locking the door behind them. “Alone at last.”
“My three favorite words,” he murmured, pushing her up against the wall.
A funny look flashed through her eyes, but it was gone almost before he could even wonder what it had been. And then they were kissing, and all the lust he’d pushed aside while she was sick came rushing to the surface. His cock hardened, pushing against the fabric of his trousers, aching in time to the pounding of his heart.
“Been waiting all night to do this.” She jumped up, wrapping her legs around his hips. “Take me to bed.”
14
Ruby woke, simultaneously disoriented and relieved to find herself in Virginia. Her bed. Her house. All the familiar sights and smells of home, including a warm cat curled over her feet.
And Flynn sprawled across the sheets beside her.
Not hers. Not familiar, at least not in the context of home. And yet, waking beside him had come to be as familiar as waking with a cat on her feet. It felt good and right. They’d left “one day in London” status behind ages ago. Maybe they’d never really achieved it, because the feelings had always been there, rooted in the instant connection that had bound them together since they met at Elle’s wedding.
He’d be leaving after lunch, headed to DC for a business meeting. Pre-trip Ruby would have pushed her feelings to the side and said goodbye as planned. But as she rolled toward him in bed, her bare chest pressed against his, bodies warm and sluggish with sleep, she knew she didn’t want to say goodbye. She wanted a relationship with Flynn, whatever it might look like, no matter how risky or dangerous or uncharted.
Hadn’t that been the whole point of her adventure? If she was going toreallyembrace this new side of herself, she had to throw caution to the wind and go after what she wanted. And that meant, she couldn’t let Flynn leave Virginia without telling him how she felt.
“Morning,” he said, wrapping an arm around her.
“Good morning.”
“Did you sleep well?” he asked as his hand roamed upward into the tangled depths of her hair.
