The Possessive Groom (Groom 2)

For the next few hours, I go through the motions with the group, wondering when Mary and Gibson are going to return. After an early dinner where I forget to eat, I decide to go in search of Mary.

She wouldn't disappear this long unless something was up. To be honest, more than anything I want to know more about this Gibson guy and what role he’s going to play at the company.

In the few moments I’d gotten alone, I searched the internet. The storm was making it extra hard, giving me shit service, but that didn’t really matter because I couldn't find much. I kept hoping to find personal information or social media, but nothing. I suppose I didn't get any social media until recently, and that was to keep up with the twins.

When I finally see Mary in the hallway later, I try not to seem overeager. “Everything okay?” I ask, but her face doesn’t give away anything.

“I think so.” She nods for me to follow her over toward an empty set of chairs. I glance out the window to see the storm pounding down worse than ever, but maybe it only looks that way because the sun is starting to set. I swallow, dreading going up to my room soon. “He was blindsided that Darian stepped away from the company.”

“Does he want to leave?” The insecurities from this morning are coming back.

“I guess he could quit, because we can’t stop that, but I hope he doesn't. We own everything he’s created at this point, but the potential…” Ah, Mary’s favorite word. Potential. She shrugs. “No, I think it’s okay. He’s staying.”

My heart sinks when the overhead lights flash inside the resort, but thankfully they stay on. How am I still scared of storms? I swallow, not wanting to go there.

“Not much of a choice,” I point out. “No one is going anywhere right now.”

“Yes, the storm, but I think he might have other things that are keeping him here as well,” she says as her eyes go over my shoulder. “Sorry, I need to grab Cora really quick.” Mary pops up before I can ask her what she meant. If we need to keep Gibson invested in staying, I want to know everything I can.

If anyone will know about Gibson, it’s my brother. I send him a text, but it doesn't go through and I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. A rumble of thunder has me jumping to my feet to get away from the window I’m sitting next to. I head for the elevator but think better of that idea when I reach it. I spot the stairs and curse because this is going to be a climb.

When I finally make it to my floor, all I want to do is take a long bath, but when I slip my key into the door, the light on the lock blinks red. I can hear the rain and wind beating down outside even from the hallway. I try the key over and over, but it doesn't work. I groan and then lean my forehead against the door. I don’t want to make that trek downstairs for a new key.

Just as I’m contemplating sleeping in the hallway, the lights above me flicker and go out. This time they don’t come back on, and I close my eyes. This is not happening. Breathe, I remind myself. I’m not a little girl anymore, and I’m in a safe building with lots of people.

“You okay?”

I scream in surprise at the sound of a deep male voice, then spin around to see Gibson in the doorway of the room across from mine.

“Shit, sorry. Didn't mean to scare you, Lindsey.” My name rolls off his lips.

Lightning flashes through the window in the hallway, filling up the space with light for a moment. Hearing his voice gives me that same hot flash I’d gotten the first time I ran into him.

Thunder hits so hard it shakes the whole building, and I do something I’ve never done in my whole life—I rush into a man’s arms.

Chapter 4

Gibson

“It’s okay.” I try to keep my voice even because I can feel the tremble in her arms and back.

“I’m sorry, I…” She tries to push against my chest, but I keep my arms firm.

“No need to be sorry. Are you having trouble with your door?” I nod over to it and the key in her hand. There’s emergency lighting in the hall, but it’s minimal.

“The stupid thing won’t scan.”

“Why don’t you come in here until the generators kick on?”

When she nods, I feel a sense of relief that I wasn’t expecting.

“How do you know there are generators?”

My hotel room door closes automatically as I curve my arm around her waist and lead her through the pitch-black hallway.

“A hotel like this has them. It’s just a matter of time before the power is back on and we’re on to the next activity in today’s itinerary.”