Mistletoe Mischief (Falling in Mistletoe #2)

Chapter Twenty-two

R yler arched her back, staring up at the ceiling as euphoric pleasure swept through her body. She was in her room, but it didn’t look exactly like her room, and whoever had his head between her legs was doing the most incredible things to her. Ryler grabbed the bedspread in her hands, gripping the fabric as she thrashed her head wildly. The sensation of his tongue lapping at her pussy, flicking across her clit in quick, circular motions left her dizzy, gasping, reaching for that little push she needed to fall right over the edge.

The man between her legs looked up, blue eyes glittering, and her stomach flipped as she stared into Pike’s grinning face.

“I knew you wanted me.”

Her eyes popped open, blinking rapidly against the flashes of light from the TV that illuminated Pike’s face as he lay on his side next to her. He cradled his head in his hand, watching her with a smirk.

“Good dream?” he asked mildly.

Ryler’s pussy still throbbed in the aftermath of her sex dream, and she hoped to God that he couldn’t tell she was blushing.

“I—um—was eating ice cream with no calories, but it tasted like the real thing. So good.”

“Wow, your ice cream noises sound a lot like sex noises,” he said.

“Well, some people think that eating ice cream is better than sex.”

“Then they are having the wrong kind of sex,” Pike said.

“And what is the right kind of sex?” she asked.

Pike grinned. “The kind that elicits ice cream noises and leaves you too weak to move. ”

“Hmmm, I don’t remember ever having that kind of sex,” Ryler said, rolling up on her side to face him. “Must be why ice cream is so good.”

“That’s a damn shame.”

“I take it you’re feeling better?” she asked.

“Yep. All toasty warm.”

“What time is it?”

“Around six.”

“At night or the morning?”

“Night.”

“I was going to say, I didn’t think I was that tired.” She laughed.

“Tired enough.”

“So, should we get in the car and head back to town?” she asked.

“We could do that,” he said, pointing to the window. “Or, we could wait until tomorrow when the snow lets up.”

Ryler sprang from the bed and ran to the window, staring out at the few parking lot lights that lit up the area, showing the white dusting across every car. Large flakes swirled in the air, and Ryler sighed.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen snow. It’s so beautiful.”

Ryler sensed his body heat as he came up behind her, stopping several inches behind. “You hungry?”

Her stomach gurgled, and she laughed. “Apparently.”

“They have a pretty great in-hotel restaurant,” Pike said, the heat of his breath tickling the hairs on the back of her neck. “Doc brought my clothes up a little bit ago, if you want to go down there.”

Ryler turned around, noticing that he was fully clothed, his hair mussed and standing on end. On impulse, she stood up on her tiptoes and smoothed his hair back. “Sure, although I need to use the bathroom first.”

“Go ahead.”

Ryler wasn’t used to sharing a bathroom with anyone, least of all a man. Would he hear her through the thin walls of the hotel?

Ryler turned on the faucet and went about her business, keenly aware that Pike knew she’d been dreaming about sex and had been hovering over her, watching her. For a moment, she’d almost thought he was going to offer his services and show her what she was missing, but that would have been a turnoff. Men who bragged about how good they were in bed never measured up, and she’d already imagined what Pike would be like in bed enough, especially subconsciously .

Ryler washed her hands and exited the bathroom to find Pike still standing by the window in his hoodie and jeans. “I’ll text Alia and let her know we’re waiting for the storm to pass.”

“The weather shows snow until seven a.m., so we might be stuck here.”

All night, alone with Pike in a king bed now that he was 100 percent? “Alright.”

“I can ask Doc if he’s got another room now,” he said.

“Sure, but if not, no worries. We’re both adults.” Ryler grabbed her phone off the side table and texted Alia. Pike is better but we’re going to wait out the storm. Be back in the morning.

The three little bubbles popped up. Oh, are you two sharing a room?

No.

Boo, that is boring!

I like my sex life boring and predictable. Cuts down on complications.

Snore.

Goodnight.

I love you!

I love you too. Ryler slipped her phone into her pocket with a shake of her head. “You’ve got a sister, right?”

“Yep. Biggest pain in the ass of my life.”

“Sounds about like having a cousin.”

Pike got the door for her, waiting as she passed through. “My sister is the one that thought I needed a companion. I swear, that puppy would have been bouncing all over the place had she been in the room with us.”

“You’re going to try to tell me you don’t like that dog at all?” Ryler asked.

“Of course I like her. Still trying to figure out how she’ll fit in my life.”

“You’re worried about your job?” Ryler asked, descending the stairs next to him.

“And my living situation. If the upstairs neighbor banging on the ceiling every time Jo makes a peep is any indication, I’m going to have to move. My mother has been trying to convince me to buy a house—”

“So, why don’t you? You want to stay in Mistletoe, don’t you?”

“Yes, but it seems like a waste to buy a house for just me and possibly Jo. ”

“What about in the future when you meet someone? You should buy a house based on how many kids you want.”

“Seems like I need a partner to help make that decision. If I buy a four-bedroom house, and my partner only wants one kid, I’ll have two extra rooms.”

“And she’ll get an office and you get a home gym.”

“You saying I need to work out?” he teased.

“No, you look like you like to work out.”

“More like I have to. I was a pretty chubby kid. Puberty helped, but I also started hitting the weights freshman year.”

“I do a lot of walking and hiking, but I don’t worry about it. As long as I’m eating enough fruits and vegetables and I feel good, that’s what matters to me.”

Pike chuckled. “I like pizza and beer too much to not hit the gym five times a week.”

“That’s interesting,” she said.

“What is?” he asked.

“The girl with Anthony, the one you were interested in. She’s plus size.”

“And?” he said flatly.

“A guy who cares that much about his appearance, I’m surprised you wouldn’t be obsessed with women who looked more like my cousin.”

Pike shook his head, stopping outside the restaurant’s entrance. “Why would I look at women superficially when I’ve experienced that behavior my entire life?” Ryler couldn’t come up with anything to say and he added, “Do you really think I was popular with this hair color? People called me Lucky Charms growing up, and that was after I lost weight. Delilah is gorgeous just the way she is.”

Ryler wanted to sink into the floor. She’d made a lot of assumptions about this man’s character, and the more time she spent with him, the more she realized his Instagram showed him best. He was well-liked and respected by the people who knew him. He was hardworking and adventurous. He was funny and raw.

Shit, it was one thing to be attracted to the guy, but to like him?

That spelled trouble.

“I’m sorry for how that came off. I am far from perfect, but I guess I just assumed she’d be—” Ryler shook her head. “Listen to me sounding like a superficial shithead. ”

“Listen, I get it. You see it on social media, in movies, on television. You can’t help who you’re attracted to. I just happen to be a guy who likes variety.” Pike winced. “That came out wrong. I just mean I don’t have a type. I want who I want.”

“Fair enough,” she said.

The hostess seated them by the window, and Ryler was surprised that a booked-up hotel was so empty. “I wonder where the family reunion is.”

“There’s a ballroom at the other end of the lodge. They probably rented it out to have their party down there.”

“Ah, makes sense.”

The waiter came back to take their drink orders, and when he left, Ryler looked around at the wood walls and rustic atmosphere. Several animal heads adorned the walls, and she shook her head. “Alia would definitely have something to say about the animal heads.”

“I’m not surprised. I remember the episode when Excursions was on a safari tour and discovered a poached lion. Given the anger and emotion during that podcast, I can’t imagine she takes well to seeing animal trophies.”

Ryler had never talked so much with someone about her podcast as if it wasn’t her behind the mic. Most of the people they met in countries she visited had never listened to Excursions and just thought they were a group of Americans touring. No one cared who said what or how they felt. Choosing an American city, especially where Pike was such an avid fan, may not have been the best decision, but she couldn’t regret being here.

“Are you a hunter?” she asked.

“No. I went when I was in my teens, but I don’t love venison, so it doesn’t make any sense to go out hunting something I don’t want to eat.”

“I’m not a fan either. Too gamey. I did have alligator in New Orleans.”

“How was that?” Pike asked.

“Tasted like chicken. I could not do the frog legs, however.”

“My sister got me chocolate-covered crickets and shoved them into a regular chocolate box. After that, I would never accept anything edible from her.”

Ryler laughed. “I never had a sibling to torture, but it sounds like a delight. ”

“For her, maybe. Nick’s sisters were the same with him, although they were younger. Holly was evil when it came to pranks. I woke up covered in glitter once after drinking too much with Nick. I was finding that crap in my hair for weeks.”

“Sounds awful,” she said. “Alia and I tease and mess with each other, but nothing that extreme.”

“At least my sister can’t do too much damage from two states away.”

“Where does she live?” Ryler asked.

“Arizona.”

“Are you ready to order?” the waiter asked.

Pike nodded. “I’ll take the sirloin, medium, with a baked potato and a dinner salad with ranch.”

“And you, miss?”

“I’ll have the lemon-crusted chicken with fries and a dinner salad with ranch.”

“Perfect, I’ll take those menus and be back with your food when it is ready.”

They handed their menus to the waiter, and Ryler caught Pike watching her. “What?”

“I was just thinking about the night we met.”

Ryler blushed, remembering their kiss. “Oh God, what about it?”

“You following me out to the courtyard to make a move.”

Ryler spluttered. “That is not what happened!”

“Right, you were just returning the mistletoe I dropped.” Pike leaned forward, balancing his chin on his hand. “You know, I saw some in the front lobby if you need another excuse.”

“If I need another excuse?” she scoffed. “Pike, honey, if you’ve been thinking about kissing me, then at least have the stones to admit it.”

“I’ve been thinking about kissing you again.” Ryler started at his admission, and he chuckled. “You asked for it.”

“I suppose I did,” she murmured, reaching for the bread basket in the center of the table and taking a roll. He’d told her that they needed to keep things professional, and yet, here he was admitting that he’d been thinking about kissing her.

“I guess the question hanging in the air is, have you been thinking about kissing me, too?”

Ryler took a bite of her roll, chewing slowly to give her time to make a choice. If she admitted that she hadn’t stopped thinking about it since the first time, she’d be opening herself up to the possibility of him putting on the breaks again.

Then again, if she lied and he thought that was the end of it, would she regret it? Would they spend the night lying awkwardly in the room, totally aware of how close they were and what they could do to each other if they only took the chance?

“I have, quite a bit, actually. It’s becoming a real problem, and I feel like the only solution is to get it out of our systems.”

“You think that will work, huh?” he asked, smiling.

“I feel like it’s a chance I’m willing to take. What about you, Pike?” She set her roll on her plate and reached across the table, trailing her finger over the back of his hand. “Feel like taking a chance on me?”