I’d never felt more alive, because the hands he’d used to hurt another man were the same ones taking me to heaven right after.
I reached for my phone on the nightstand to find out I’d slept in a bit.
I hadn’t woken up to an empty bed since I figured out Rowen was Michael. He was usually awake before me, but he never left—he just stared at me until I woke up.
I stood from the bed, put on my robe, and walked down the hallway.
A few paces before I reached the common area, I heard his voice.
“She’ll be awake any minute now, James.” His voice was a quiet growl, like he was frustrated but trying to keep from yelling. “Tomorrow isn’t good enough.Tonight. We’ll be there by ten, and I don’t want to see a trace of their existence.”
I rounded the corner and leaned on the doorframe, crossing my arms.
He hadn’t noticed me yet. He stood near the balcony doors, his hand in his hair, frowning. It didn’t matter that he was upset; he was still hot as fuck. His hair was messy, and I’d grown to like the way he’d let his facial hair grow out. It made him look more mature, more tempting.
His demeanor softened when he noticed me in the room. He barked another order at James, telling him not to fuck it up or else, and then tossed his phone to the couch.
His footsteps were desperate, closing the distance between us in no time. His hands grabbed at my face, holding me tight as he slammed his mouth to mine, stealing my breath. I tried to keep up with his vigorous kiss, but it was impossible. I could barelyremain upright when he finally released me, his eyes full of a bright emotion I hadn’t seen before.
“I have a surprise,” he said excitedly.
His smile was contagious.
“What is it?”
“Pack a bag, baby. Anything you might need for a couple of days.” He pointed down the hall. “The clothes you ordered arrived early this morning. I snuck them into the closet while you were asleep, so pick out what you want to bring.”
He walked down the hallway to his bedroom, leaving me speechless.
“Okay then,” I said to myself before turning on my heels and following him, wondering what diabolical plan he’d cooked up.
Nothing was off limits when it came to my stepbrother. I’d learned that the hard way.
“I set a couple of my favorite outfits to the side for you to pack,” he stated when I walked into the room.
He was packing a suitcase with his own clothes, folding everything neatly before placing it in the bag. He gestured to the suitcase next to his.
“This one’s yours, baby.”
I walked over to him, and he kissed my forehead before disappearing into the bathroom. The outfits he’d picked were cute—shorts and shirts that I’d picked out but he’d coordinated. I put them in my suitcase.
“Where are we going?” I asked when he returned to the room with more stuff to pack.
“Ah, ah, you won’t get answers out of me that easily.” He continued packing. “Don’t you know what a surprise is?”
I studied him with narrow eyes, hoping he’d crack, but he was steady, smirking at my futile attempts to unlock answers.
“How long are we going to be gone? What if I need something I don’t bring?”
“I can get whatever you need delivered to us.” He zipped his luggage. “Whatever you need, whatever you want.” His eyes scanned my suitcase. “Almost done? The car is outside for us.”
I thought for a moment. “Let me grab a few more things.”
Ten minutes later, Rowen was loading our bags into the trunk of a silver luxury car, telling me he couldn’t wait to see my face when he revealed the big secret.
“Don’t you dare touch that handle,” he commanded, gently pushing me out of the way so he could open the passenger door for me.
Before I could get into the car, he threaded one of his hands into my hair and pulled my face to his, pressing our lips together in a gentle, consuming kiss, branding me with the taste of him.
