Ronan’s groan echoes how I feel. “Goddamn it. Mark my words, someday we won’t be sneaking away from each other in the middle of the night. Someday, I’m going to fall asleep with you and wake up with you.”
“I want that, too,” I reply as I zip up my jeans. His gaze narrows in on the action and he frowns.
“I hate that you’re getting dressed right now. Why did I think that once our relationship was public we’d have more time together?”
Crawling back across the bed in only my jeans and bra, I kiss his pouty face. “Because you forgot that you’re still a famous baseball player who has to get some sleep so he can win all of his games.”
“I’m not playing a game tomorrow,” comes his grumpy reply. But when I move to back off the bed, he grabs me, pulling me down on top of him. “All I have to do tomorrow is sit on a plane and keep my hands off you. This whole ‘no guests allowed in your hotel room’ is bullshit.”
A giggle of pure happiness escapes me. It’s a heady feeling, being the focus of his attention like this. Knowing he wants me as much as I want him, if not more.
“Bullshit or not, we’re going to be good,” I chide gently as I once again disentangle myself from his arms. “Which means I’m going back to my room, and we’re both going to get some sleep. And tomorrow, no one will be any wiser about what happened here tonight. Got it?” I arch my brow at him, but the effect is lost when paired with my big goofy smile.
Ronan’s is much softer in return, once again brimming with what I now fully believe is his love for me.
“Got it. Make sure you save the seat next to you on the airplane.”
I pick up my shirt and nod. “Definitely.” I pick up the white teddy bear he travels with and toss it at him. “You’ll have to make do with cuddling Snowberry tonight.”
“A poor substitute for you, Cherry.”
I blow him a kiss, then creep out the door, checking that no one is around to see me sneaking out.
Once I’ve made it back down the stairs and into my own room, I flop down on my own bed with a very satisfied sigh.
He really is worth breaking the rules.
Chapter thirty-four
Ronan
When I roll over the next morning to an empty pillow beside me, I stare at it in annoyance, wishing there was a head of silky brunette hair spread across it.
What’s a guy gotta do to spend the night with his girlfriend, for fuck’s sake?
I get up and grab my phone to text Willow a photo of me pouting next to an empty pillow in hopes of making her smile, only to see a text from my mom that makes my heart stop.
MOM: Hi honey, hope you’re doing okay, you didn’t call last night. Peyton’s fine, she was a bit disappointed but went to bed no problem. Give us a call when you can.
“Shit,” I curse, raking my hand through my hair as I grapple with waves of guilt and anger at myself. In the four years I’ve been doing these calls, I’ve never missed a single one. And when I do, it’s because I’m too busy sneaking my girlfriend into my hotel room for some secret sex.
Fucking hell.
With the time change, it’s late enough on the West Coast that I know Peyton should be up by now, but when I call my mom’s phone, there’s no answer. Switching over to my texts, I shoot her back an answer.
RONAN: I’m sorry. Got caught up with something last night. Is Peyton okay this morning? Are you guys out?
I stare at my phone, willing it to ring, but instead, a reply pops up.
MOM: She’s fine honey, promise. She’s completely forgotten about it by now. We’re just at a morning playgroup and she’s having a great time.
A picture follows of Peyton at the top of a slide, grinning. It brings me some relief to see my girl happy. Thinking about it rationally, I know I’m probably beating myself up more than I need to about missing one call. But I’ve always said Peyton comes first in my life, and last night that wasn’t true. I put my selfish needs and pleasures above my duties as her father. And as I stare at the photo on my phone screen, I’m forced to remember why I’ve never tried to have a relationship before.
Because balancing my role as a single dad and that of a boyfriend is going to be really fucking hard. And the only reason I’m willing to try is because Willow is the only woman worth trying for.
After typing out a quick reply to Mom with a promise to text when we land back in Vancouver, I get in the shower to start readying to leave. Of course, being under the hot water brings back memories of last night, making me hard just remembering Willow in my arms, our bodies slippery and warm. She feels like heaven when her pussy is hugging my dick. My hand reaches down and wraps around my semi, but it’s a poor substitute for her body. I give it a tug and close my eyes, imagining it’s her hand and not mine. Pretending I can feel her lips on mine, that I can smell her sweet citrus scent, and hear her soft moans of pleasure.
Before long, I’m painting the walls of the shower with my orgasm, hanging my head low as the water beats down on me.
