Before I can respond, the hotel door swings open, and Diesel walks in looking way too fucking chipper.
“Hey, lovebirds!” The door slams behind him, and Zoey and I both wince at the noise. “How are the newlyweds feelin’ this morning?”
“Fucker,” I grumble. “Did you seriously dare me to get married last night?” I grab the comforter off the bed and wrap it around my waist so I’m somewhat decent.
Diesel’s booming laughter is all the confirmation I need. I’m gonna murder him in his sleep.
“Your mama’s gonna kill you,” he says, still chuckling. “And your grandma.”
“Try both at the same time.” I huff.
“Sorry to break up the honeymoon, but we gotta go. Pack your shit,” Diesel says, rushing around the room and shoving his things into his suitcase.
“Now?” I gape, turning and looking at Zoey, who’s grabbing her little panties off the floor. She seems embarrassed as hell, but I wish she wasn’t. So adventurous and spontaneous, she brought out the best in me, and we had a blast together.
“Flight’s in an hour, and we still gotta get there and through security. We’ll be lucky to make it on time at this point,” Diesel says, glancing at this phone. The time constraint is ruining my ability to talk to her about this, about us. I don’t want to go, but fuck, I have to.
As Zoey picks up her bra, I round the bed and tilt her chin up so I can look into her eyes. “I’m sorry, I wish I could stay. But they’re expecting us at work tomorrow, and it’s a long drive from the airport to the ranch. Can we exchange numbers, at least?”
“Yeah, of course.” She smiles. “We’ll need to figure out what we’re going to do.” Her face drops, and I hate that I have to leave in such a damn rush.
“Or you could come with me?” I ask, feeling hopeful. “Try to get to know each other better.” The words spill out before I can stop myself, but I don’t regret them. She’s unlike any other woman I’ve ever met.
“I-I can’t. My sister’s getting married next weekend, and my life is in Phoenix.” She shrugs, holding the sheet against her body.
“Alright, I understand. I’ll text you my address in case you change your mind.” I smile, knowing the chances of that are slim. I walk to the nightstand and grab my phone. After she gives me her number, I text her so she can reach out as soon as she’s home.
“Riley, we really have to go,” Diesel urges.
“I’m going to get dressed so I can head out too.” Zoey walks around me with her arms full and goes to the bathroom. Once the door clicks shut, I quickly slip on my boxers and dig in my suitcase for clean clothes.
“So, was it awkward waking up and realizing you guys eloped?” Diesel asks with a shit-eating grin on his face.
I glower, narrowing my eyes at him as I zip up my jeans. “You’re an asshole.”
Before he can respond, Zoey walks out in the same outfit she wore last night. I catch her staring at my bare chest, then she shifts her eyes away as she walks toward the bed, grabbing her phone and clutch. I hate that I’m being forced to dart out of here, and we don’t have more than a couple of minutes together.
“Listen, Zoey…” I go to her as I slip my shirt on.
“It’s okay, Riley. We don’t have to do this.”
Diesel opens the door with his bag in hand. “Riley, c’mon. We still gotta get a cab…”
“I’m sorry. Call me soon so we can figure this out, okay?” I lean in, cup her face, then kiss her cheek. “For what it’s worth, I had a really fun night, wife.” I flash her a wink, which causes her to blush. She shakes her head at me and smirks.
“Safe flight, hubby,” she mocks. I stare at her, remembering the taste of her lips, the way she moaned my name, and how perfectly her body fit against mine. Our connection was instant, and while I didn’t understand it, I couldn’t fight it either. From the moment our eyes locked, I knew she was special. Turns out, the universe had bigger plans, bigger than either of us could have imagined. Or maybe Diesel’s to blame.
“Riley! You have two seconds, or I’m leaving your ass in Vegas, and you can explain why you aren’t at work in the morning to your family,” Diesel walks out frustrated as hell, and I know damn well he would really leave me.
“Goodbye,” Zoey says as I move away from her and grab my suitcase.
I give her an apologetic smile, then spin around to catch the door before it closes, leaving her behind and feeling like complete shit about it.
Chapter One
Riley
72 HOURS EARLIER
“Rise ’n’ shine, motherfucker.” Cold water to my face accompanies Diesel’s loud voice, making me jump out of bed with fists swinging. Considering I’m barely awake, I miss, and he starts laughing.