Page 200 of Rogue Riders Duet

“That’s good.” His palm shifts to cup my neck. “I know we have a lot to talk about, and I understand you’re still too ruffled up for that conversation. But if I’ve learned anything in this mess, it’s that I do have patience. Even if it only lasts for you.”

My breath escapes in a shaky exhale, and his eyes dip to my mouth. He sighs before pressing our foreheads together.

“There’s only one thing I need to know now, okay?” he whispers, eyes closed. “Just one thing I need, and I can wait for everything else. I can be there for you. I can hold your hand through all of it. The mess, the truth, but I need this one answer.”

I feel like I’m on top of the mountain, heart racing, full of adrenaline. “What?”

“Are you my friend, Alaina?”

Tears brim in my eyes as my heart splits wide open, and I slide my fingers into the damp curls at the nape of his neck, keeping him close.

“We’re more than friends, Luc,” I whisper, and then I kiss him.

He sinks into the kiss immediately, like he’s been waiting for it. It’s almost too soft for how close we are, for how naked we are, wrapped only in towels. His thumb slips into the hollow at the base of my throat, and I melt under him, pressing closer.

My hand moves over the hard line of his ribs to the dip of his waist, and he shudders. Then my fingers trace down his abs, which constrict, and I get close to the edge of his towel. He growls softly into my mouth and deepens the kiss, stealing my breath.

A sharp rap at the bedroom door has us freezing before two more knocks follow.

Luc groans against my lips. “Ignore it.”

I let out a helpless laugh and am about to agree when my brother’s voice calls through the walls.

“Alaina! Dad is here.”

FIVE

After quickly dressing in sweats and a T-shirt, I yank the door open with my casted hand. Dane’s face greets me, grumpy as ever, with his arms crossed.

“What did you just say?” I ask, heart still thumping hard from everything.

“Dad is here,” Dane repeats, arching a brow at me.

“How in the world⁠—”

“He called me from the hospital,” he cuts in. “I had to tell him where we went.”

“What? The hospital I was in yesterday? Here? In France?”

“Yes.”

My stomach flips. “Why the hell was he there in the first place?”

“The fuck I know.” Dane shrugs, eyes tight. “But I’m sure he’s about to tell us.”

“Fuck.” I drag a hand through my wet hair. Luc steps up beside me and slides his hand around my waist possessively, murmuring something supportive I don’t quite catch.

Dane’s eyes flick to his hand, then to me. “You able to do this?” he asks, scanning me from head to toe. “You broke two fingers and were unconscious from hitting your head again.”

“I’m not unconscious now,” I shoot back. “And I’ve broken worse.”

Luc huffs a disbelieving laugh next to me.

“That doesn’t help,” Dane snaps, glaring now. “And how about the fact that they…” his eyes cut to Luc, “… know about your secret, and the season is over?”

Panic claws at my chest at the reminder that my secret is out, but then the rest of his words sink in. “What do you mean, the season is over? It isn’t over!”

“Alaina—”