Breaking Even(72)

I don’t mean to giggle, but a thrill shoots through me. I knew he wouldn’t let me drive. And I didn’t even want to drive. I just didn’t want to cave too easily. It’s all an elaborate game of strategy and war, so I’ve started using it to my benefit.

For miles and miles we ride, and I frigging love it. It’s freeing, exciting, exhilarating... It’s amazing. Motorcycles are now among my favorite things.

We drive straight through, only slowing down for him to show me things, and I soak it all in like I do every moment we’re together. We talk all the time. ALL the time. He calls me at work, shows up at work, and I do the same to him. I’ve kept him from screwing me inside the museum, but he won the battle about his office. Now his desk has been christened.

I’ll never forget the surprise on Jessica’s face when she caught us kissing. It doesn’t bother me what people think anymore. And Rye doesn’t give a damn about who sees me wrapped around him.

When we finally reach the vineyard, I almost pout. But he has to come back and get me. Maybe he’ll talk Raya into letting him stay.

We pull up to where we see all the cars, and he turns off the motorcycle just as Raya comes out with her arms crossed over her chest.

“You too? Is it impossible for a guy to let his girl come to a damn girls’ night without him?” she growls.

“It’s not night,” Rye says unapologetically, but he doesn’t correct her about me not being his girl.

We’ve avoided hanging out with everyone since the Leah disaster. I forgot why until this moment.

Dane steps out onto the porch, waving at us as he walks to his car. Did he drive Rain out here?

He grabs a purse from the car and hurries back in. I just frown. If he’s staying then—

“If Dane is staying, then so am I,” Rye says as he climbs off his bike, taking my hand and helping me off, too. With a few quick motions, his helmet is off, and his hair has that sexy, messy look I love.

“Might as well. They’re all here. I just called Kade to come back, but he was already on his way.”

She tries not to grin, but she can’t help it. That girl is so in love. Must be nice.

“I’ve got it,” Rye says when I struggle to get the helmet off.

He moves my hands and removes the helmet for me, and then he bends and pushes his lips against mine, earning a smile from me. I wrap my arms around his neck and giggle when he picks me up, carrying me toward the house.

“You two are so damn gross,” Ethan says from the porch, and Rye grins against my lips while releasing me.

“Why the hell are you here?” Rye asks, still smiling.

I’m not overly fond of Ethan. I can tell he doesn’t understand Rye’s fascination with me. And I’m sure he expected them to be hanging out more than they are. Rye is the one who keeps showing up and kidnapping me from my house. I’m not twisting his arm to keep seeing me when he does.

“I came out to see Kade, and apparently stumbled into a couples’ night. What the hell?” Ethan mumbles.

He looks at Raya and shakes his head, but I don’t know why. Raya is gorgeous—perfect for the Colton Prince.

“Not what I expected to find,” he murmurs under his breath.

So he’s not impressed with Raya either? It’s not just me?

Rye doesn’t let go of my hand. Instead, he pulls it up to his lips and kisses it, and then he bends and kisses me again. My smile is as instant as always. This is different from the last time we were all together. And I don’t feel so on edge.

“Let’s get in and start tasting the wine,” Ethan grumbles.

“It’s too early to start drinking,” Raya says as she follows us in.

“I’m in couple hell. It’s a perfect time to start drinking.”

He goes straight toward the wine, and I roll my eyes. “You look windblown,” Ash says as she walks over, smiling while drinking a bottle of water.

“She looks sexy,” Rye says, wrapping his arms around my body and pulling my back to his front.

“You rode his bike?” she asks, apparently doing the math.

“I stole her keys,” Rye says with a shrug. “Speaking of which...”

He pulls my keys out of his pocket and hands them to me, and I roll my eyes while tucking them into the pocket of my shorts.

“You want wine? They’ve got an excellent merlot here. I can’t have it, but I can live vicariously,” Ash says.

“Brin likes white wine. But she can’t drink so early because we haven’t really eaten. It’s only like noon. And I’m starving.”

He remembers what kind of wine I like. Why is that so sweet?

“So, where are you from?” Ethan asks me, but his eyes are on Rye, so I’m assuming the question is for him to answer.