Ride Rough (Raven Riders 2)

Because she wasn’t sure she knew, either.

CHAPTER 9

I have a surprise for you,” Grant said almost as soon as Alexa returned home that afternoon. Wearing an expensive blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the collar open, he met her in the kitchen and pulled her into a hug and a long, lingering kiss.

Registering his good mood—for which she was grateful given how much later she was than usual—Alexa relaxed into his embrace. “You do?” she asked.

“Mmhmm.” Finally, he eased away from the kiss. Tucking some loose strands of hair behind her ear, he smiled. “You’re always so stressed when you come home from your mother’s, so I’m whisking you away for an overnight getaway. We’ll relax, eat great food, take a sail. Just you and me.”

“Wow, really? That sounds amazing,” she said. And so much like the kinds of things he planned for them early in their relationship. He used to take her away on trips and weekend getaways all the time the first year or two that they dated. Weekends in New York City, Atlantic City, and the Massanutten ski resort in the Shenandoahs, and surprise weeks in Mexico, Paris, Rome, to name a few. They still traveled sometimes, but now his business and her school and job responsibilities made it harder to get away as often.

“Having you all to myself is what sounds amazing,” he said, nailing her with an intense stare. “No wedding planning, no jobs, no school, no mother, no life obligations at all. Just you and me.”

A fleeting wave of stress passed through her, because she had been planning to spend Sunday running errands for the wedding. Picking up gifts for Grant and the bridesmaids, who were mostly colleagues at work. Dropping by the reception venue to finalize menu details. Finding a few last things to pack for their honeymoon in Cozumel, the first place they’d ever traveled out of the country together years before. Neither of them having parents who could help with the planning was a mixed blessing—on the one hand it meant they didn’t have to try to please a bunch of people besides themselves, but it also meant she didn’t have any help. And all of that was in addition to the reading she still had to do for Tuesday night’s class. The list was never-ending.

But Grant was right. They could use some time in the midst of all the madness to just focus on each other. And it would help screw her head back on right, too. “That does sound amazing. Thank you, Grant. This is so thoughtful.” She pressed her lips to his. “I’ll just pack a quick bag.”

“Already done,” he said, nodding to something behind her.

She turned to see two overnight bags in the doorway to the foyer. Alexa laughed. “My, someone is eager, isn’t he?”

He kissed her roughly, in a way that made her feel claimed. “Where you’re concerned? Always.” He swatted her on the butt. “Now go get pretty. I’ll pack up the car.”

After cleaning all morning, Alexa guessed she must look a mess. “Okay, I’ll do that.” Excitement and anticipation flitted through her. No doubt wherever he was taking her would be romantic and luxurious and sure to take all her cares away. With a quick last kiss, she pulled away.

He caught her wrist and gave her an intense look. “And wear that white sundress for me.”

“You like that white one, huh?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.

“I like tearing that one off of you,” he said. “I like playing with the knot at your neck and imagining undoing it whenever I want to. Wherever I want to.” His gaze flashed hot, and her belly answered with a flutter of butterflies. Whether nerves or arousal, she wasn’t sure. “Now, go.”

In their room, she found the dress, a pair of panties, and a pair of tall wedges set out at the bottom of the bed, all folded and lined up with excruciating precision. It reminded her of his desk at work, where the few items he kept out on it had exact placements, everything all symmetrical and aligned. She smiled and shook her head. Pure Grant. Dotting every i and crossing every t, and not leaving anything to chance. In his personal life just as in business, he took charge and control of every detail.

She quickly showered, dressed, and styled her hair in a chignon that allowed her to get away without blowing it fully dry. Grant had left her makeup bag on the counter, so she put on her face and a pair of earrings, and then she was ready to go.

Alexa gave herself a once-over in the bathroom mirror. She looked summery and put-together. She wasn’t a hundred percent comfortable going without a bra, but the halter top and low back on the dress didn’t really allow for one. And Grant really liked that about the dress, anyway. So she could be okay with it for the day.