He is shaking his head. "No, I think you made the right decision for you, and they will forgive you."
"I don't like upsetting them. They've done so much for me, Rowan. Maybe this is the least I could do, you know, let them be a part of it."
His eyebrows pull together in concentration. "And that would be okay, too. I don't think there is a wrong or right answer here,Millie. It comes down to how you feel in your heart and what you think is best, for all of you."
I let his words sink in and really think about what that would be. Eventually I say, "I think I need to do this on my own."
He nods his agreement. "Then that's your answer, babe."
The cab falls into a comfortable silence. My mind plays every possible scenario. Will she be mad? Will she be relieved? Are we just going to be opening up a barely healed wound? The questions play on repeat in my head until I become physically nauseous at all the possibilities.
It's close to ten at night, and I can tell Rowan is getting tired. "Do you want me to drive?"
He shifts in his seat, then leans forward a little, I think to try to relieve his back. "You can, or we can stop and both get some rest."
We've been driving for hours. I know I offered to drive, and I've been able to doze off here or there, but if I'm being totally honest with myself, I'm pretty beat. I'm not sure how safe it would be for me to drive.
"We should probably stop," I finally say as I pull out my phone to find the closest hotel.
He watches my screen for a moment before redirecting his eyes back to the road. "'Kay, just tell me when to get off."
"Two exits ahead is a hotel that has decent rates. Hopefully they have a room."
"Sounds good."
I put my phone down, and he reaches over to wrap his hand around mine. I haven't let myself think about this part. I knew there was a high chance that we would be sharing a hotel room or two this trip, and though I've been curious and excited at the thought, I've also been a little nervous.
It will be the first time the two of us are alone with a bed. Just the thought has butterflies swarming in my stomach and my heart rate elevating.
I think I'm ready.
Scratch that,I know I'm ready, for whatever may come.
As long as it's with Rowan Pierce, I know I'llalwaysbe ready.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Rowan
The door softly clicks behind me as I watch Millie walk further into the hotel room. She does a little spin before turning around to face me. "This isn't too shabby. Looks like they even have a little mini fridge." She points over to the corner of the room, where there is indeed a compact refrigerator.
I can tell she's nervous because she's talking about a fridge, and her eyes are darting all around the room like she can't focus on any one thing. If I had to make one guess about why she's nervous, it would be because there's only one bed in here.
"Wonder if it has anything in it?" I ask as a distraction for her as I walk over and place our bags down on the little desk that's in front of the TV.
She walks over to the fridge and opens it, finding a few unopened water bottles. She pulls one out and lifts it up. "Want some?"
I shake my head and watch as she opens the water bottle and downs the whole thing in three big gulps. I smile at how endearing she is. She's so damn beautiful that it hurts to look at her sometimes; my chest aches with a longing that seems to consume my entire body.
"What are you smiling at?" she asks as she puts the empty water bottle down.
"You," I say as I push off from the desk and make my way toward her. My answer has a shy smile pulling at her lips. "I was just thinking about how pretty you are."
She tilts her head as she watches me approach. My steps are slow and deliberate.
"Oh, yeah?" She pulls the bottom corner of her lip into her mouth before releasing it quickly. She isn't going for her pulse point, and that's usually a good sign.
I finally reach her, my hand going out to caress her cheek. Her soft skin is like an electric jolt to my system, tantalizing and addictive. I nod my head. "The prettiest."
