Ryder, cigarette in hand, leaned on the bedside.
"I'm off to Vegas for business, a few days. Care to join?" His eyes held a glimmer of hope.
"Okay," I said without pause.
Surprised, Ryder stubbed out his smoke, pulled me close, chuckling. "Scared I'll bolt?"
I hugged back, half - joking, "Leave me again, I'll marry the next guy."
As we readied for the flight, I powered on my phone.
A flood of Bran's calls and messages. I ignored them, called Laura.
Laura said, "Haven't you talked to Bran? He's at our place daily, wearing out the doorstep."
"Lost my phone, new SIM. I'll call him."
On the jet, Ryder sat beside me. He parted my legs. His tongue traced my thigh.
I ended the call with Laura, texted Bran: "We're done."
Ryder glanced, wordlessly blocked Bran.
Then, his touch grew more
