Rural Romance by Alexa Riley
Chapter Seven
Selma
Ilet out a contented sigh as I start to wake, then reach out and grab the pillow beside me. I pull it against my chest and wrap my arms around it, then bury my face into the soft cotton. A familiar sexy scent fills my lungs, and my desire instantly ignites. My eyes pop open as the night before comes flooding back in one erotic scene after another. Luca had taken me several times during the night until I’d finally crashed like the dead.
The sweet ache between my thighs is the only reminder I need to remember what happened. I smile as I slowly sit up and look around the room. There is no sign of Luca anywhere, but it’s not like he would sneak out on me in the middle of the night. But with the light streaming across the room, I realize it’s morning.
I throw my legs over the side of the bed and go in search of Luca. When I enter the bathroom, I don’t see anything, so I grab a robe off the hook. While wrapping it around me, I make my way back toward the bed. The clock on the table shows it’s almost eleven o’clock. Holy shit, I can’t remember the last time I slept in this late. I’ve always been a morning person, even if I worked all through the night.
There’s something in the back of my mind telling me not to believe Luca would sneak out. Maybe he went out to get food. I come up with several reasons he’s not here, making myself feel more pathetic with each one.
This very well could be a one-night stand, which I guess I can understand. As much as the thought bums me out, I still didn't think he’d up and go like an asshole. After what we shared last night, he wouldn’t leave without so much as a goodbye. Damn it, he took my virginity; it’s a dick move to just peace out.
I close my eyes tightly.
Luca can’t avoid me forever, so him just leaving would make it even more awkward the next time we see each other. Our asses are going to be stuck together for the rest of our lives whether we like it or not. We’re both close to our siblings, and the reality of that makes me groan with regret. Tears start to burn behind my eyes, but I refuse to let myself cry. I’m a big girl, I can do a one-night stand. It’s not a big deal.
The lie I tell myself tastes bitter.
I won’t be that girl who sleeps with a guy and falls madly in love. I have a brain—an Ivy League one at that. This is nothing, and totally normal. Casual.
A knock on the door has relief flooding my system. All that crap I told myself flushes down the drain as I smile happily and rush over to open the door.
The hotel employee is holding a room service cart, and I stand there stunned.
“I’ve got your brunch,” the waitstaff says cheerfully. I open the door wider so he can push the cart into the room, but my relief is short lived. “Mr. Cross wanted to make sure you got something to eat before you left.”
It takes a moment to process what he’s saying. “As in he already checked out?” The young man tilts his head, giving me a puzzled look.
“Yes, ma’am. Hours ago.”
“Right.” I nod, forcing a smile. “Thank you.”
He leaves the tray, and I let the door fall closed before him. It’s a full minute before I blink and then look away from the food. I’m not even willing to lift the lids to see what is under them.
I bet Luca thinks he’s such a gentleman, sending me breakfast after our night together. I plop down onto the bed, blowing my curls out of my face and hating this hollow feeling in my chest.
What I need to do right now is get the hell out of here. This room is a reminder of what happened last night. I need to wash it and everything else off of my body.
I cringe when I realize the only thing I have to put on is my bridesmaid dress. In my car I have a change of clothes, but I’m still going to have to do the walk of shame one way or another. This day keeps getting better and better.
The one time I give in and this is where it gets me, but I suppose I’ve learned my lesson. I grab my dress off the floor and drop the robe. The evidence of last night is still sticky on my thigh, and I hate that my body heats at seeing it.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I’d let him take me without a condom. Shit, I’d all but begged for it. I can almost hear my brother’s stupid words about finding the one and all logic going out the window. I don’t think the one bounces out the morning after sex without a word.
My mind drifts to what Luca might have been thinking when he snuck out this morning. Had he thought about what I might feel, or had I been forgotten so easily?
I swore I felt something between us last night, and it wasn’t one-sided. My throat starts to close, because how could I possibly know that? I was a naïve virgin that served myself up on a silver platter. He’s no different than the bartender last night—his game was just better. I bought his whole act, and worse, I wish that I could say it was terrible. This might not hurt so much if he hadn’t been so careful and attentive. Now I fear Luca might have ruined me for all other men when it comes to sex because I can’t imagine anyone else being that amazing.
I need to stop this pity party and move my ass. I get dressed quickly and the best I can in the dress. I can’t zip it up all the way, but it’s enough for now. Once I get all my crap together, I pull my keys out of my small clutch so I can make a straight shot to my car.
When I exit the room I look around and let out a sigh of relief when nobody else is there. My luck doesn’t last long, because I don’t make it to the parking lot before I hear someone shout my name.
“Selma!” I turn around to see Juno headed my way with a bright smile on her face. She’s got a box in her hand. “I didn’t know you stayed here. I thought you headed out last night.” She looks me up and down and then lifts her eyebrows in question.
“It was late and I had a few drinks. I didn’t want to risk the long drive back to the city.” I lace the small lie with truth, hoping it makes it more believable. If she doesn’t buy it, she’s not calling me on it.
“Yeah, I totally get that. The hotel called me this morning because we left a few things behind.” She motions to the box in her hand.
“Do you need any help with it?” I ask, even as my mind chants for her to say no.
“Nah, girl. Go get yourself out of those heels. I can still feel them from last night.”
“Thanks.” I give her a brief hug before finally making it back to my car. I debate changing in the back seat, but all I want to do is put as much space as I can between Pink Springs and myself.
After I toss all my stuff in, I put on my seatbelt and pull out of the parking lot. There’s a red light ahead, and when I stop at it, I let out a long sigh.
This is one of those times when I wish Mom was still alive. I could never ask my brother for advice about this, even if he thinks I should be able to talk to him about anything. I can’t even go to Lux. We’ve gotten close, but this is her brother, and I don’t want to know about her sex life with my brother.
I scream when suddenly something hits me from behind and propels my car forward into the intersection. The seat belt digs into my shoulder, and the sound of glass shattering is all around me.
I cry out as I turn to try and see who or what the hell ran into me, and I see a man in a white truck with a panicked look on his face. It isn’t until I hear the sounds of screeching tires do I see the other car coming through the intersection right at me. I brace myself for the impact as the car collides against my passenger side door, sending my car into a spin. Black spots dance in my eyes as I watch the man in the white truck speed away quickly.
Sirens blare in the distance as I slump against my seat. The cars have stopped moving, but I need to get out. I try to open my car door, but I must be in shock or something because I can’t get the handle to work. A cop cruiser comes to a stop near me, and I hear someone shouting my name.
Cooper jumps out of his patrol car and runs towards me. “Selma!”
“I’m fine,” I groan, but I don’t know if he can hear me over his own shouting. “Do not call my brother,” I manage to say as he jerks the door open. Metal screeches as he pushes it back and looks me over.
“Are you hurting anywhere?” He ignores what I said as he assesses the scene.
“They are on their honeymoon,” I say, and he looks at me like I’m crazy.
“Okay,” he says sharply. “Are you hurting anywhere?”
My heart?I want to say, but I’m guessing that’s not what he means. I feel a little dizzy, but I don’t want to go to the hospital.
“I’m just shook up,” I admit. I’m sore too, and I imagine I’m going to feel this even more tomorrow. Bet it won’t hurt as bad as this morning.
“You have a cut on your head.” Cooper tilts my chin up, and I can hear more sirens coming. “It’s either the hospital or I call your brother.”
I glare at him, but I know this isn’t a fight I’m going to win. “Fine,” I agree.
At least one of the Cross men is a gentleman.
