“Rip, we’re going to be fine. I’ll keep my phone on all night. Check in with us as much as you want. I promise I’ll keep your sister safe.” He gives me a curt nod and leaves it at that.
“Well, we’re going to go get ready. See you all in an hour,” Corbin announces, waving over his shoulder as they exit the suite.
“I should go too. I’ll see you both soon.” I wave and turn to walk away when I hear Rip tell Colby he’s going to walk with me.
He doesn’t say a word as he falls in step beside me while I make my way to my suite at the other end of the hall. We decided to go all out for this trip, and the rooms are huge and breathtaking. Stopping at my door, I tap my room key, waiting for the light to turn green. Turning the handle, I push open the door and then face Rip. He’s standing so close that I bump into him.
“I’ll see you soon,” I say, knowing I should step back, but I like being this close to him.
“Kenna.” The way he says my name sends tingles down my spine. He lifts his hand to my face, and the warmth of his skin does nothing to cool my desire for him.
I’m not exactly sure how it happens, but we end up walking into my room, the door closing with an audible click behind us. “I-I need to get ready,” I say, stumbling over my words. I can’t decipher his expression, but it’s hot as fuck, and I do not want to be all worked up over Rip before a night out on the town.
“I know. But I need something from you first.”
“Okay?”
He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close. He gives me no warning when his lips mold with mine. The kiss is more urgent than any that we’ve shared before, and like the others, it leaves me completely breathless. I should pull back. I should stop this, whatever it is, but I can’t. I’m not strong enough to resist him. Instead, I grip his shirt, holding him close to me.
Eventually, he slows the kiss, resting his forehead against mine. “I don’t like the idea of you being in this city alone.”
“I won’t be alone.”
“You know what I mean.” His voice is soft and sweet when he says, “Can you do me a favor?”
“What?” I’m ready to tell him I’d do anything for him, which is true, but this is Laramie’s bachelorette party, and no way am I giving him permission to come with us.
“Let me come with you,” he suggests.
“No can do, buddy.” I pat my hands against his chest.
He pulls back and grins at me. “I thought that you might say that. So, instead, how about you keep me in the loop, yeah? Let me know where you guys are?”
“Sure, I can do that. As long as you promise not to barge in on us until our agreed upon time.”
“Deal.”
I smile up at him. “Should we shake on it?” I ask awkwardly, holding my hand between us, even though he’s still holding my body close to his.
“No, baby, you and I don’t shake on it. There’s only one thing that can seal this deal,” he says huskily.
“And what’s that?” I ask breathlessly.
He doesn’t answer, not with words. Instead, he lowers his head and kisses me slow and deep. His tongue invades my mouth, and all I can do is tighten my grip on his shirt and enjoy the ride.
“You better get ready.” He pulls away and moves further inside the room, taking a seat on the small couch.
I suck in a few deep breaths before I feel as though I can speak. “What are you doing?” I ask.
“Waiting for you to get ready.”
“I don’t need help.”
His heated gaze trails over me, making me feel open and exposed. “You might need me to zip your dress or something,” he finally says when his eyes find mine.
“I can manage.”
“I’m not leaving. Time’s wasting,” he says with a smirk.
I don’t have it in me to argue with him for multiple reasons. The two biggest are the fact that he just kissed me stupid, and I know I’m in no shape mentally to go to battle with him. And two, I’ll take all the time he’s willing to give me. I’m secretly thrilled that he wants to be here, so instead of arguing, I make my way to my bedroom, shutting the door behind me to get ready to go out on the town to help my best friend celebrate the last few days of being single before she marries the love of her life.
“No.”
That’s the first word out of Rip’s mouth when I walk back into the small living area of my suite. “What do you mean, no?” I tilt my head to the side.