Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
We fall into a comfortable silence as she stares out the window at the cloud-filled sky.
How is it possible that after only a handful of minutes, I already miss her touch?
Unable to help myself, I reach over and wrap my fingers around her slender ones. Her gaze falls to our clasped hands before she lifts them.
I flash a smile. The one that makes my dimples pop.
Although, from what I’ve been able to suss out, they have zero effect on this girl.
But…it never hurts to try, right?
Sometimes you gotta bring out the big guns.
“You don’t mind if I hold your hand for the rest of the flight, do you? It helps with my anxiety.”
There’s a second or two of hesitation before she huffs out a long-suffering sigh. “If it’ll save you from making a total spectacle of yourself, then I suppose there’s no other choice but to suck it up and take one for the team. I speak for all the other passengers on board when I say that no one wants to reroute to Tulsa for an emergency landing.”
I can’t help but grin. “We’ll just call you the Colby whisperer.”
“Not only is it a job I never applied for, I’m pretty sure it’s one I don’t want.”
“Too late, firecracker. It’s already yours.”
“Damn. I was afraid you were going to say that.”
9
BRITT
By the time we’re dropped off at the hotel, all I want to do is stand under the spray of a nice hot shower. Unlike Colby, I enjoy traveling. I’ve been flying all over the country for years. The time I’ve spent at Western is the longest I’ve stayed in one place in almost a decade. Once discovered, I rocketed into the public eye. And then the show made our family a household name.
As I make my way to the reception desk, it occurs to me that I don’t really miss the constant hustle and bustle. The crazy schedules.
The group stares around them while oohing and aahing over the grandness of the lobby. Crystal chandeliers drip from high above, casting kaleidoscopic constellations across the gleaming marble floors. You can’t help but feel the anticipation as it hums in the air.
This isn’t my first trip to Vegas. I’m usually here a couple times a year for parties that the studio hosts.
It’s all part of the gig.
I tug at my jacket. It had been freezing when we boarded the plane early this morning but in Vegas, the temperature is in the low sixties. It’ll be nice to shed some of my outerwear for the weekend and soak up some sunshine. The seasonal weather is probably the only thing I miss about California.
Wolf and Fallyn are the first in line to secure their room. Next is Juliette and Ryder. And then Carina and Ford. Stella and Riggs along with Viola and Madden check in and are handed room keys. Only now does it occur to me that I’m the lone girl on this trip. I probably should have realized it earlier. Maverick, Hayes, Bridger and Colby booked a suite together.
On the plane, Colby waggled his brows as he offered to let me bunk with him so I wouldn’t be all by my lonesome.
I shot down that idea before it was fully out of his mouth.
When it’s my turn, I step up to the long stretch of counter and give my name. The woman standing behind it smiles and taps a few keys before securing my credit card.
Since the guys are checking in next to me, I can’t help but overhear their conversation.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the receptionist says to Bridger. “There appears to be a problem with your reservation. The only room we have available for the weekend is one with two twin beds.”
Hayes stares in dismay at Maverick, who pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m not sleeping on the floor, dude. You can forget that idea right now.”
“There’s nothing else available?” Colby asks the employee. “We were supposed to have a four-bedroom suite.”
The man assisting them makes a big show of striking the keys on his computer before shaking his head. “I’m afraid not.” His expression brightens. “But we can bring a rollaway to your room free of charge.”
Maverick, Colby, Bridger, and Hayes glance at each other and frown. I can almost see them doing the mental math and figuring out that it doesn’t add up.
“That’s only three beds for four of us,” Bridger says. “Is it possible to add a second rollaway?”
The clerk shakes his head. “Sorry, no. There isn’t enough square footage. It’s against code—fire hazard. Perhaps there’s someone else in your party who wouldn’t mind sharing their room?”
“There’s no way in hell I’m bunking with my sister and Ryder,” Maverick grumbles. “I’d rather fly back home than listen to them get it on. It would be psychologically damaging for all concerned.”