A Reckless Note (Brilliance Trilogy 1)

Once we’re off the plane and inside the private airport, we head toward the front door, me rolling one bag and Kace handling the rest. “We have to find a drive-thru that’s open,” he says. “I need food. Now.”

“Me, too,” I say. “It’s late, though. Do we have a car service waiting or how does this work?”

“I rented a car,” he says, “that should be here waiting on us outside.” We exit the building into the parking lot and thank God Kace suggested we stick our coats in the bags because it’s warm, like sixties, versus the thirties back home.

“Here we are,” Kace says, motioning to the fancy black sports car sitting near the door. “That will be us. The keys are under the seat.”

I blink. “Is that a Porsche? Can you even rent a Porsche?”

“Money buys just about anything, baby. And as for the Porsche, it’s the best they had on short notice.” He opens the door, grabs the keys, and pops the trunk. “I’m not a Porsche guy. Chris is. The man loves these damn cars.”

We load up the trunk and then us inside the car. He revs the engine. “It’s a beast, that’s for sure.”

“Why don’t you like it?” I ask, running my hand over the leather. “It’s a beautiful car.”

“It’s all muscle. I guess it’s that damn Stradivarius spoiling me, but I like a little more finesse.” He shifts into reverse and it’s not long before we’re on the highway and driving with confidence.

“You know where you’re going?” I ask.

“I’ve been here a few times. We’re headed downtown. The event is actually inside the Driskell hotel, which is why we’re staying at the Fairmont hotel for privacy reasons.” He motions to a road sign that lists restaurants coming up. “We have McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Whataburger. Whataburger is big here in Texas. The locals love it.”

“Whataburger it is, then,” I say, and it’s not long before we’re sitting in a parking lot, eating burgers and fries.

“What do you think?” he asks.

“It’s good,” I say.

He arches a brow. “Not great?”

“It’s good,” I repeat.

“You Whataburger traitor, you,” he teases. “At least I’m not alone. I feel the same.”

“If you don’t love it, why’d we eat here?”

“Because you can’t get it anywhere but here. Everyone will ask you if you tried it. I wanted you to able to say yes.” He tosses his wrapper into the bag. “I’m ready for the room.” He shifts us into drive and I’m left feeling the impact of what might have been a simple act, but it’s a show of his character. He can have anything he wants in the world, but he was worried about my experience, not his own.

I’m falling for this man, and not gently. It’s like a roll down a steep mountainside and I just can’t stop.

***

Twenty minutes later, we’ve left the car with a valet at the front of the Fairmont, and we’re walking through the gorgeous lobby with indoor trees sparkling with blue lights to match the furniture.

We are, to no surprise considering all I now know of Kace, staying in the Presidential Suite, and the staff stumbles over themselves to offer us service. With our bags being delivered by a bellman, Kace drapes his arm around me and we walk toward the elevator, not another guest in view. “It’s a ghost town,” I say. “What time is it?”

“Almost midnight,” he says, glancing at his watch. “We lingered with Nix and Becca way too long.” He punches the call button on the elevator.

“I liked Becca,” I say. “Nix wasn’t that bad.”

“Bear’s the one who declared him a bastard,” he replies, pointing the doors of a car to our right that are opening. “And now you know why.”

“You agreed with Bear,” I remind him as we step into the car and he uses his card to punch in the top level, “and went to the Hamptons before this trip to control Nix.”

“I did,” he agrees, turning to face me. “But not because he’s a bastard. Because Nix is a man you control or he controls you.”

“And no one controls you?”

“Not anymore,” he says, pulling me close, and while he says no more, I’m certain that reply is a small reference to his father. A small indication as well that that pain lingers with him. “It’s time,” he adds, caressing hair behind my ear. “To take you to bed with me.”

It’s then that I realize that I haven’t actually shared a bed with Kace. A rug, the floor, and an airplane seat, yes, but not a bed. It’s only now that I realize I met him just three weeks ago and now I’m here, halfway across the country with him. “I really can’t believe I’m in Texas with you right now.”

“Believe it, baby. It doesn’t stop here.” His voice is a sultry mix of warmth and wickedness, the words packed with meaning, and his intent toward the future. A future neither of us intended. We were supposed to be one night, at least in my mind. I was pretty sure his “I’m not a forever guy” comment meant in his as well.