Second Chance on Cypress Lane--Includes a Bonus Novella by Reese Ryan

Author:Reese Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2020-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

After they checked into their hotel and received their room keys, Dexter offered to walk Dakota to her room.

“I lived alone in one of the largest cities in North America.” Her eyes glinted with amusement. “I can take care of myself, you know.”

“I don’t doubt that. But your dad would have my head if anything happened to you.” Dexter headed toward the elevator, punching the number for her floor. “So consider it self-preservation.”

“Far be it from me to discourage you from being a gentleman,” she said with a smirk.

He walked Dakota to her room, checking it to ensure no one else was there. His gaze lingered on the plush king-size bed. The memory of their first time together commandeered his thoughts. He blinked back the memories, sounds, and sensations that had been cycling through his brain since they’d kissed at his place that morning.

But standing a few inches from the bed she’d be sleeping in filled his mind with images of the two of them together. Not sweet memories of the past. A blazing-hot desire for the present: to make Dakota his again and worship every inch of her soft, beautiful, brown skin.

No matter how much he told himself he was content to be friends, the truth—that he ached to be with her—lurked inside his head and gripped his chest.

Don’t start what you can’t finish, son.

How many times had his father told him that?

He was Dakota’s boss, and she was leaving soon anyway.

Neither of them needed more pain or aggravation. And that was all that could possibly come of them taking things beyond that kiss.

“We’ve got a long night, and I’m exhausted. I’m going to have something delivered to my room and catch a nap before we head out tonight. Order whatever you’d like and charge it to the room.” Dexter moved toward the door, where he’d left his own luggage.

“I will, thanks.” She leaned against the open door, offering a small smile. There was a hint of disappointment in her voice. “Will we grab dinner together before the festival?”

She was beautiful, and he couldn’t possibly say no to those pleading brown eyes.

“Sounds great.” He smiled. “Meet you in the lobby at six.”

Dex hurried down the hall and stepped into the elevator. Glad to be alone, he pressed his back against the glass wall and released an anxious breath.

He’d escaped Dakota’s room as quickly as he could, not trusting himself to do what was in the best interests of both of them. He’d had the presence of mind to put a halt to things between them that morning. He doubted he’d have the strength to pull it off a second time.

The elevator dinged and the doors flew open. A young family entered. He greeted them, answering the myriad questions asked by the older of the two children.

Dexter exited on the next floor and went to his room. He set up his laptop and sat behind the desk to respond to a few more emails before he ordered lunch. But

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.