Wherever It Leads

“And you are uneasy about it. I can tell.”


“It’s nothing,” I say quickly. “He probably just got drunk or something and wanted to reminisce.” I don’t quite believe that, but it’s a realistic theory.

“Do you want to get a hold of him?” he asks cautiously.

“No.” I turn my head to face him. “I don’t. Grant McDaniels is nothing to me.”

“That’s his name? Grant McDaniels?”

“Yeah.”

He pulls me against him. The blankets form a barrier, one he doesn’t look thrilled with. “Are you sure this guy is safe?”

“Yes, I’m sure he’s safe,” I scoff. “I was with him for years.”

Fenton’s features tighten and he bites his tongue, both literally and figuratively.

“He might be safe, I think, but that doesn’t mean I want to see him. There’s a lot of strife between him and my family right now, and it’s just . . . it’s a difficult situation.”

“Want to tell me about it?”

“Honestly? No. Because it’ll make me sad and I don’t want to be sad. I just want to enjoy lying here with you, okay?”

He squeezes me tighter and plants a soft kiss to my forehead. “That’s entirely okay with me.”





The bed is empty beside me. I glance at the clock and it’s early afternoon.

I stretch, letting my sore muscles warm up before I hop out of bed. Every part of my body aches deliciously with memories of being wrapped around Fenton in various positions three times from yesterday morning to the middle of the night. It was well worth the discomfort I’m feeling today.

I twist to my left and then to my right and a dopey smile plays across my lips. I lift his pillow to my face and inhale his lingering scent. My body immediately hums, sparking awake with the promise of the man that’s made it feel alive more than it ever has.

Flopping back, I cringe. I could get into deep trouble here if I’m not careful. It’s too easy. Being with him is entirely too comfortable. He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s sexy-as-sin and adorable-as-hell. And he doesn’t do relationships.

Rebound, Brynne. This is a rebound. Enjoy it this weekend and move along with life.

Just the thought makes my spirits drop, and that, in turn, makes me feel stupid. He may be man candy in every way, but that doesn’t mean I need to turn into some cheesy addict.

Even though he gives the best oral.

Tossing the blankets back, I swing my legs off the bed.

Stop it. Just slow this train wreck down a few clicks.

After making a quick stop in the ensuite, I look for some sign of him. Just like yesterday, there’s no note, no text, no mention of when to expect him back. I grab a glass of juice, jump in the shower, letting the hot water work the soreness out of my body, and then decide to do a little window shopping in the casino below.

I pull out a cute blue dress that’s more casual than a lot of things I brought. I brought a bright yellow bikini that would look really cute under it. Tossing my things around in the suitcase, I come up empty handed. Staring at my luggage, I realize I don’t see any of the five bikinis I brought.

Dashing into the closet, I look on the rack where I hung the one up from yesterday.

Gone.

“That fucker.”

“Who?”

I spin around to see Fenton leaning against the doorframe. His red tie is loose, his jacket missing, his hair a mussed-up, yummy mess.

“The thief,” I say, hands on my hips, trying to hide my desire to wrap my legs around his waist and kiss the hell out of him.

“We have a thief?”

He watches me with complete sincerity. Like he has no clue what I’m talking about.

“We do. He stole all my bikinis.”

“Huh.”

“Yeah,” I say, traipsing over to him. “And nobody likes a thief.”

“You know what else nobody likes?” He shoves off the frame and wraps his hands around my waist lacing his fingers together in the dip at the small of my back. “Girls that can’t listen.”

“I’ve never been a good listener,” I sigh dramatically. “I just make things happen . . . like calling the concierge and having them bring me another one up. And I charged it to your room since you stole my others. Thief.”

He smacks my ass, making me yelp.

“What was that for?” I laugh.

“Did you really have them bring you another one?”

“No. But I hadn’t ruled it out.”

He chuckles, a sinful smirk on his face. “You’re going to make me crazy, you know that?”

He drops his lips to mine, and in a split second, has me forgetting all about the bikinis and focused solely on getting him out of his suit. He breaks contact way too soon.

“Any plans for the day?” I ask.

“Yeah. I’m taking you somewhere.”

“You are?”

“Yeah. So get changed. The car is probably downstairs.”

My mind starts racing. I’m not close to being ready to go anywhere. “Where are we going?”

“Just something fun and away from this bullshit.” His shoulders stiffen as he spits out the last word.

I run my hands over his shoulders and roll them around. He exhales harshly, sighing.

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