Chapter 114

Bandwagon

Luke POV

I wonder why she hasn't received any calls or texts from Alex. Certainly, Kate or Ana contacted him about Rhi like they threatened to if she didn't return to the hotel. I would have expected him to at least try to reach her. Especially if he saw the videos of her and Ryan. She hasn't indicated that he's even tried to contact her. Then again, she's pretty good at ignoring the obvious and it doesn't really surprise me considering the texting confrontation. However, Rhi doesn't seem the least bit worried about any of the threats at all.

I don't want to overthink things but I'm wondering if she really doesn't think they have a future? Maybe it's because she lives in Seattle and he's here? I'm so confused that I don't know what to think. I'm thrilled that I'm here spending time with her, despite all the shit I put her through. All I ever wanted was to get to know her as a person. OK, that's not the ONLY thing I wanted but it's a major part of it.

Just from my observations, it doesn't seem like she's that into Alex. At least not in a serious relationship way. Maybe she truly only thinks it's a fling and she's planning on moving on when she gets home? Maybe I'll have a chance to have something with her when we get back to Seattle?

All these questions leave me wondering if things would end up the same between me and her? Just a fling and casual with no real future? Fuck. I'm not sure what to think or where I want to go. I've never wanted a serious or long-term relationship; I've always focused on my job. Of course, I've had my share of casual relationships, if you could call them that, there weren't any feelings involved. I'm not sure I'm into that anymore.

Now that I'm able to talk to her, hang out with and get to know her, it's weird. I want to be protective but I can only do so much. I do have a jealous streak but I'm nowhere near as bad as Grey. I don't have trust issues, unless it's toward men. I don't trust men because I know how they think. I think the same way; my broken nose is a perfect indication of that. I don't think she'd handle a jealous boyfriend very well. She seems like she wouldn't hesitate to tell someone off and bail at the first indication that someone was trying to prevent other men from approaching her. Besides, she already has one caveman, she doesn't need two.

The thought of Rhi with someone else drives me crazy. I don't want to see her with other men. It's bad enough that I have to see her with Alex while we're here. I can't necessarily be possessive of her because I don't have any right to do that. She's not mine so I don't have a say in what she does or who she does it with.

Hanging back a little, I watch her attract the attention of both sexes. I'm not sure if it's sexual with everyone or just her personality in general but I'm sure it's a lot of one and a little less of the other.

I must admit it was pretty cool watching her plot something with Ryan. He was so awkward in the beginning but he seemed to loosen up when he found out what her plan was. I've seen her dance with Alex at the fountain and she's really quite good. I'm sure a lot of people were wondering what other types of dancing she can do. This was definitely a surprise.

I enjoyed watching her dance with Ryan. The more they got into the music and rhythm, the better they looked together. They were even in sync and you never would have guessed that they had just met. I'll admit I was definitely jealous of Ryan. I can dance pretty well myself but she wanted to do this with Ryan. Whatever she has planned is fine with me. After all, it's her vacation. We're just along for the ride, getting a few hours with her, unexpectedly. This was definitely not planned.

As we're walking, I look over at Taylor and see that he's watching her. I can see the attraction in his eyes but confusion and curiosity dominates his gaze. She's cast a spell on him but the fact that he can't find any history about her trumps that. He's always taken pride in being able to find any information on just about anyone. It appears that somehow, somewhere, someone was able to bury her information so deep that even the best of the best can't reveal it. That's one thing that bothers T the most, when he fails. Not that he's failed, he's just come up emptyhanded.

The funny thing is that Ryan and Reynolds seem to be the only ones who aren't bewitched by her. They seem comfortable with her just hanging out with like friends. At least that's what it appears to look like on the surface. I watch her link arms with them and they are messing around with her, laughing like teenagers at something she said. I shake my head and chuckle. That didn't take long.

We're walking down the sidewalk and she's in the middle of us. Guys are looking at her and I can tell what they're thinking because I thought the same thing when I first saw her. That part is physical, I can guarantee it. She's hot. Smoking hot and has the personality to go along with it. Those two qualities combined make her more attractive than ever.

Her emotional issues seem to have dissipated and her real personality seems to have made its appearance. It's like she's done a complete 180 degrees from what we saw in the beginning of this trip. She's definitely feisty and likes to have fun. You can tell just by looking at her. We've done nothing but laugh and have a good time with her in the past hour; even when she got pissed at the hotel with the texts from Ana and Kate. Fuck, I'd hate to see what's going to happen when they reunite. I don't know what's going to happen with Alex. So far he hasn't tried to contact her at all. Interesting.

Ryan POV

Woah. That was fun. Totally unexpected but fun, nonetheless. She's a pretty cool woman and seems to like to have fun. She's been pretty happy since we ran into her in the hotel. Reynolds and I knew she'd be fun to be with and I could definitely enjoy her spunk more often.

When she hugged and kissed my cheek I was so embarrassed that I didn't know how to react. I struggled to keep my thoughts in check. She's so fucking tiny that I couldn't help but imagine sexual acts, all because her head sits at or below chest level. I'd say we're all at least a foot taller than her. T is the tallest of us all, pushing 6'6" which makes the four of us seem like giants next to her.

I struggled to maintain my composure when she kissed my cheek and not show any physical attraction to her. Instead, my face lit up like Rudolph's nose. I don't want to do anything that would jeopardize a possible friendship that could begin. I'd rather be friends with her than freak her out.

I haven't danced in a long time and it felt good to do it again. I was a little rusty at first but it didn't take too long to get my groove back. I think we were pretty good together, a little off in the very beginning but it didn't take too long for us to get our rhythm and truly enjoyed the old school dances. The second dance, when we were on our own, we really let out our talent and it was like we were on the same wavelength. We fed off each other's vibes and things flowed easily. That's when you know you have a good dance partner, like she is with Alex but a different style of dancing. I could think of other kinds of dancing I'd like to do with her but I'm sure that wouldn't go over well.

I'm caught up in my mind, trying to keep it from wandering when a thought strikes me. This is going to be all over social media. Mia will most likely see this. I'm sure she'll show Elliot, if he hasn't already seen it, and I can guarantee that he'll show Grey. I'm doomed. I can't help but laugh.

"What's so funny Larry? Care to share?" Rhi looks up at me, smiling.

Fuck! I might as well be honest. I've got nothing to hide, other than my impure thoughts. "Just thinking that you've been on social media before, a lot, and I haven't been seen with you at all. My boss is going to see this and I'll never hear the end of it." I chuckle.

Reynolds pipes up, "You know, you didn't look too bad. I didn't think you had it in you. I'm just waiting for the text or call from Grey." He laughs and right on cue my phone goes off indicating a text message. Looking at my phone I roll my eyes and mutter, "Speak of the devil…"

C: So, you've joined the social media bandwagon I see?

R: Um, yeah. I guess I did. Rhi kind of forced the issue. She's pretty spunky.

C: I never knew you had it in you. You looked relaxed. Finally. Lol Imagine, some girl bringing

the fun out of you.

R: Sir, you have no idea what she's capable of. Just wait until you meet her. You'll see for

yourself. I'm sure you'll see a lot more on social media, just fair warning. Lol

C: Well, just don't go overboard but do enjoy yourselves. Be alert at all times.

R: Not a problem. Thank you Sir.

Reynolds is smirking at me, "Well? That didn't take long, did it?" He's laughing now, "What'd the Boss have to say?"

Rolling my eyes, I reply, "He said I looked relaxed and was surprised Rhi brought the fun out of me. The fucker was laughing, I could tell even via text." I pause, looking down at Rhi and smile, "I will say, however, it was fun and I do feel pretty relaxed. Thank you Rhi."

She looks back up at me, smiles and gives my arm a squeeze. "You're welcome. There's more where that came from." She giggles and winks.

Fuck, that giggle is adorable. I was fine with her being at a distance, having no thoughts other than being friendly with her. That was until she got personal with me. Suddenly, all those thoughts were thrown out the window. I can see why Luke was so attracted to her. Her personality is fantastic and she is pretty fucking hot. I think I'm pretty good at hiding my thoughts, better than most, which is good because this could become an issue. Like I said before, I'd rather be friends with her and hang out than ruin something with thoughts of getting physical with her. God that's going to be hard not to do though.

I'm brought out of my thoughts by a basic sounding ringtone. I bet it's Alex. He probably just saw a video on social media. I watch Rhi pull out her phone, look at the screen and ignore the call.

I hear her mutter, "They just can't let it go, can they?"

She rolls her eyes and starts to put her phone away when it rings again with the same ringtone. She looks at the screen and stops suddenly, silencing the phone but answers it, making it look like she ignored the call.

I hear her say, "Fuck." She looks up at me, kind of worried, and whispers. "I need to take this. Somewhere private. Can you find somewhere, please? And hurry."

I nod, curious about the phone call and hear her say, "How long do you think it will be before we get there?" I don't even get a chance to answer before she says, "Five minutes? That's good because I'm starving." She disconnects the call after that. I'm not sure what's going on and I'm not sure if anyone else heard her so I keep my mouth shut.

Looking up at me again, she says quietly, "Can we hurry up?" She laughs a nervous laugh. "I've got to go to the bathroom."

Luckily, we're not too far from the Cosmo and we make it there in minutes. She dips into the restroom while we wait outside for her. The guys seem oblivious to the whole encounter, which is good, but it leaves me puzzled. What's going on that's so urgent? Something's going on and she doesn't want any of us to know.