London Rising (Wild Hearts Book 1)

Chapter Thirteen*

It's day three of our five day break and Milan decided to go out to lunch and shopping with the members of Taking Flight. I'm curled up in the ritzy hotel suite we're all staying in with a splitting headache and the people in the next room have what sound like three or four children running around screaming. Everyone offered to stay back with me but there was no point, not when I just wanted some peace and quiet. I wince at a particularly harsh scream and then my phone rings. Tears burn my eyes and I make the decision to go to the Team Green house. We're allowed to use it during the break, but since Taking Flight stayed and my sister flew out it made sense to get the hotel room.

"Hello?" I answer as I grab my keys, phone charger, and purse. I'll come back later for everything else. My movements grow increasingly jerky as my irritation grows and I fight back the need to cry out in frustration.

"Hi, what are you up to?" Damon. His voice soothes me just a little, at least enough to calm my growing hysteria.

"I'm getting a car to the Team Green house so I can take a nap. My head hurts and the hotel is loud and I feel over stimulated." I admit, walking to the door.

"Where is everyone?"

"They went out. I wanted to get some peace and quiet but-" as if to demonstrate my circumstances the next door occupants exit their room and a little boy comes out screaming. Not about anything. Just red faced screaming while his mother looks on with a pair of airpods in. Two more children come out arguing over a doll. I close my eyes and lean back against my door and wait for them to board the elevator down the hall.

"I'm sending a car for you. It'll be there in five minutes. I'll meet you at the apartment. We'll spend the day in bed. I'll take care of you."

"You don't-"

"I really, really want to. Would you deprive me of having my girlfriend in my bed depending on me for cuddles and snacks to make her feel better?" Despite my headache and my irritation, a smile pulls at my lips.

"Of course not. I love you. See you soon." It occurs to me when I hang up two seconds later that I've just said I love him for the first time casually over the phone. I close my eyes and sigh. That probably could've waited for a more romantic moment. I debate calling him back but decide against it. It'd be even weirded to call back and try to explain that even though I meant it I said it out of habit. Instead I head downstairs.

Damon failed to mention that the driver of the car he was sending was Ashton Blackwell. He rolls down the window looking every bit the multimillionaire celebrity with his tousled hair, sunglasses, and carefree grin.

"Miss me, love?" I laugh and climb into the front of the inconspicuous SUV.

"Downgraded from delivery boy to driver? What happened?" I tease and he laughs.

"Au contrary. I've upgraded from delivering simple jewelry to precious priceless art." I roll my eyes and lean back in my seat. Widening my eyes when he hands me a bottle of excedrin and a smart water. "These are from Caroline." I raise an eyebrow and he smirks.

"The cool kids were hanging out when Damon called you. He was looking for a reason to ditch out of clubbing tonight. Sick girlfriend who we all adore? Perfect excuse." I frown.

"No. He should go out and have fun. I don't want to be the reason he doesn't hang out with his friends." My protest falls on deaf ears. Ashton waves me off.

"Come on. If I had the choice of spending time with you or spending time with my life long childhood friends who I've grown up with and will be seeing next week for dinner. What do you think my choice would be?" I concede to his point and take the medicine Caroline sent with him. A few minutes later Ashton pulls up to the apartment where Damon is already waiting outside. I'm barely out of the car before he's striding up to me, one hand sliding into my loose hair and curling at the base of my skull and his other arm curling around my waist. I barely have time to take in a breath when he looks me in the eyes, says clear as day, "I love you, too." And then he claims my mouth in the hottest kiss I've ever had the pleasure of partaking in.