Page 115 of Mistletoe Mischief

Euphoria spread from her core outward, like a butterfly opening its wings, and she screamed his name, a loud, guttural sound that dissolved into a chant of pleasure.

“Please, now, inside, me.”

Pike withdrew his hand, and for a moment, she thought he was going to agree. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her and brought her against him, her cheek pressed against his chest.

“You’re not on the pill, remember?” Ryler stiffened, realizing what she’d almost asked him to do, and his hand ran over her hair softly. “As much as I’d love to keep you, I don’t want an unplanned pregnancy to be the reason.”

Ryler’s heart raced as his words sank in and she whispered, “You want to keep me?”

Pike’s lips brushed the top of her head. “For as long as I can.”

Chapter Thirty-six

On Sunday, Ryler stood at the bottom of the hill watching Pike and Kit race down the slope neck and neck. Ryler could spot Pike’s yellow puffer vest from outer space, and although she’d mocked him for it, he’d waved her off.

“At least if something happens, they can always find me,” Pike had said.

Alia and Neil had left yesterday, having booked an early flight so she could meet Neil’s parents. Ryler was sad that this was the end of an era for Excursions, but Kit was staying on as her photographer and asked if he could have the chance to be her producer. Although he didn’t have any experience, Kit had been a huge part of Excursions’ rise to fame. At least she could give him a chance and see.

Ryler had seen Anthony and Delilah show up earlier and watched for them on the bunny hill. Delilah seemed to be having trouble getting up the nerve to go down, and while Ryler’s first reaction had been to encourage her and cheer her on, she didn’t want to make her more nervous that someone was watching.

Ryler returned her attention to the two men racing down the hill closely, her mind wandering back to last night. After they’d left the den, Ryler had spent the night in Pike’s arms after he’d retrieved a blessed condom and finished what they’d started in that dimly lit room, but his words kept coming back to her.

I’d love to keep you.

What would that look like for either of them? Could this be more than a temporary holiday fling?

Ryler shook her head. “No, absolutely not.” She hadn’t meant to say the words out loud, but it was hard enough to maintain a relationship with someone, let alone a man who could make her body burn with a word or a glance.

Pike was dangerous to her life and heart, and yet, she couldn’t bring herself to cut things off between them. She didn’t want to.

Kit beat Pike by a foot, and Ryler gave him a slow clap. “Wow. You’re supposed to be the guide, so shouldn’t that mean you’re better than the clients?”

“He’s lighter than me. Makes for a faster ride,” Pike said.

Ryler laughed. “I don’t really think that’s true but keep telling yourself that.”

Pike gave her a firm smack on the butt. “Smart-ass.”

Ryler blushed, her wide eyes flying to Kit at the same time that Pike realized his mistake.

“Shit,” he said.

Kit chuckled. “Please, the two of you aren’t exactly discreet. I’ve known for a few days now.”

“You have?” Ryler asked. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I mind my own business.” Kit pulled his goggles off and grinned at them. “On that note, I think I’m done for the day. Will you make sure she gets a ride back to the house?”

“Yeah, I will,” Pike said.

“I figured as much.”

“Wait, where are you off to?” Ryler asked.

“You aren’t the only one with a secret,” Kit said, gliding away from them.

Pike laughed at Ryler’s shocked expression. “He sure told us.”