Page 105 of Reset

She groaned and moved closer to him, using his oversized body as a shield from prying eyes. He wrapped an arm around her, but she could feel his chest move and knew he was silently chuckling.

It had taken a couple of hours to get out of the hospital. Sarah had been declared concussion-free, and there were no cracked ribs from Ryan’s CPR—something he’d been worried about. There was no denying they were in poor shape though. Both of them were covered in cuts and bruises, and Sarah felt like every step she took pulled at overused muscles.

Joe, who’d picked them up, jogged from the front desk where he’d been talking to someone and met them in the elevator.

Sarah winced. “I’m sorry about the smell,” she told him. “I’m sure it’s even worse in such a small space.”

“Don’t smell a thing,” he managed to say with a straight face.

Sarah didn’t know if that was the truth or not. It was hard to tell, from her perspective, just how ripe they both were. They’d both cleaned up a little in the hospital, but she felt gross. All she could think about was a shower and a soft, clean bed.

“Please tell me somebody ordered food,” Ryan said, proving his priorities were different.

Joe was clearly entertained. “Julia stocked up as soon as we got word you were coming home. Temporary as this home might be.”

“I love Julia,” Ryan said on a sigh.

“I’m going to let that pass,” Julia’s husband said. “On account of you being starving and in no condition for me to punch.”

The elevator opened into a foyer area with one set of double doors. There was no hotel corridor, no multiple numbered rooms, just one set of ornate doors and a discrete brass plaque declaring it “The Royal Suite.”

Ryan opened the door and gestured for her to enter. “This is Rachel’s idea of mission accommodation. She only does five stars.”

The vast living area was elegance itself. Furnished with baroque antique furniture, purple silken cushions, and heavy matching drapes, it screamed wealth. And it made Sarah feel far too dirty to touch anything.

Ryan didn’t have the same problem. There was a coffee table laden with sandwiches and pastries, and he headed straight for it, dragging her along with him.

He loaded up a plate for each of them before plopping back into one of the expensive sofas.

“We can’t sit there,” Sarah told him. “We’re too dirty.”

As she stared at Ryan, who was too busy eating to answer her, Rachel swept into the room, followed by pretty much everyone else.

“The hotel will clean it,” Rachel said. “That’s why we pay them. Sit.”

Sarah sat, feeling a little like a well-trained dog. But she couldn’t relax, so she perched on the very edge, hoping she didn’t leave a mark. Ryan, on the other hand, had no problem spreading out on the sofa.

“Elle,” he called. “What we got to drink?”

“What do you want?” Elle asked from the other end of the room.

“Milk,” Ryan said, making everyone laugh. “What do you want?” he asked Sarah.

“I’d love a cup of tea,” she said. “But I can make it.”

“Don’t be daft. I’m on this,” Elle said as she left the room.

“I’d better help.” Julia stood. “Elle’s tea isn’t very good.”

“I heard that,” Elle called from the other room.

As Sarah nibbled at a sandwich, Ryan went back for seconds, piling his plate high again.

“Do you two have the energy for a debrief?” Lake asked.

Ryan studied her for a beat. “If it’s short. Sarah’s wiped. And we need to get cleaned up.”

“Summary now,” Callum said, standing beside Lake. “Details tomorrow.”