Wildcard: Volume One

Jake has already climbed into the car and is playing on his iPad. I take advantage of the opportunity and step closer to her.

“I’m sure I can find ways for you to thank me,” I whisper, my arm curving around her waist. God, she feels so amazing. She’s absolutely intoxicating. I can’t focus with her around me.

She wets her lips and pulls me forward. I brace myself for the moment I’ve been waiting weeks for. Her hands rake through my hair as she gently pulls me closer to her and kisses me . . . on the forehead.

“I’m not one of your on-call sluts, Ryder,” she whispers in my ear and I laugh. I guess I deserved that.

“I didn’t mean to imply that you were,” I chuckle.

She rolls her eyes and walks around to the passenger side door. “Am I safe to sit in the front? You’re not going to try and grope me, are you?” she teases.

I laugh and shake my head. “You’re definitely safe.”

For now, anyway.

**

The hotel I arranged for them—the Hilton—is opposite the Children’s Hospital in London. Even though Jake will be an inpatient for the week, I know Scarlett will want to be as close to him as possible.

“This looks expensive,” Scarlett mumbles anxiously as I pull into the valet parking area.

“That’s because it is. But it’s also the closest to the hospital, and I figured you’d want that.”

She looks at me, her expression softening. “Thanks. That was really thoughtful.”

“See?” I tease, opening my door. “I can be a nice guy.”

I help them into the hotel lobby with their bags, and arrange the payment with the front desk.

“Everything is covered, okay? Whatever you want, get. That goes for you too,” I say to Jake. “A middle-of-the-night milkshake? Let your mum know and she can sneak one over to you.”

His face lights up until he sees his mum’s expression and realizes that won’t be happening. “Thanks, Ryder. Are you going to have dinner with us tonight?” he asks, his voice hopeful.

I look at Scarlett and she nods.

“What’s your favourite food?” I ask him.

“Spaghetti,” he replies immediately.

I wink at him. “Leave it with me.”

**

I balance the containers of food in one hand as I knock on the door. It swings open and Jake grins up at me. He looks happy to see me, but even happier to see I came with food.

“I hope you’re hungry,” I say, handing him a box of garlic bread.

“Mom! Ryder’s here!”

I wince, because not only am I now half deaf, but I’m sure the whole Hilton is aware of my arrival. Walking inside, I sit the food down on the small round table. Jake is already helping himself to the garlic bread. I chuckle and go in search of Scarlett.

“I brought dinner,” I say, loud enough for her to hear me. The hotel room is big, with two separate bedrooms, a living area, and two bathrooms. From where I am standing outside the bedroom door I catch a glimpse of her, naked, in the reflection of the bathroom mirror.

My heart begins to pound. I know I should turn away, but I just can’t. She is fucking stunning. My gaze wanders over her perky, rounded breasts and down to her bare pussy. And that arse . . . I swallow, my mouth watering. I force myself to look back up and realize that she is staring at me. Fuck. I can almost feel the blood rush from my head as our eyes connect.

Great, now she probably thinks I’m some kind of perverted freak.

Which I am.