Page 21 of Her Captivated Hero

She looked up at him with a twinkle in her eye. “I think this is our cue to say good-bye to the happy couple and leave.” Riya said.

Gray peered over the crowd and laughed at what he saw.

“What?” Riya asked.

He walked them through a throng of dancers ensuring they passed by Mike and Susan. He loved the sound of Riya’s laughter as she saw Mike and Susan slow dancing. The newlyweds were lost in their own little bubble.

“Still want to say good-bye?” Gray asked.

“I think we can skip it,” Riya said, still smiling.

Her laugh was like warm honey.

Oh the things I want to do to this woman.

Gray followed her as she made her way back to the table. Nobody else was there. She picked up her purse and he put her coat over his arm and they headed out the hotel ballroom to the lobby.

Gray helped Riya into her coat, then held the door open for her as they went outside to wait for the valet to bring up his SUV. Even next to the heat lamp, he saw Riya shiver.

“I have heated seats,” he said.

“That’s nice.” She pressed next to him and snuck an arm around him. Gray hoped it was more than just for shared body heat. He looked down at her, but her head was bowed, so he couldn’t get a read on her.

The car pulled up and he helped her inside.

* * *

The seat warmersweren’t nearly as nice as snuggling up to Gray had been. Riya watched him as he concentrated on the road. The rain had turned into a heavy mist.

“I’m glad you’re driving.”

He kept his eyes on the road, but she saw his smile.

“Why do you say that?”

“This is not my favorite weather condition. I end up driving like an old lady, with my chin up on the steering wheel and people whizzing by me.”

Gray barked out a laugh. “You sound like Aunt Jeanine. She’s about your height. Please tell me you don’t drive a nineteen-eighty-five Buick Regal.”

“What color?”

This time Gray did turn his head in astonishment, before quickly turning back to the road.

“I’m kidding. I’m kidding. I drive a Prius.”

Riya saw his look of relief. “Do they even have parts for a Buick Regal anymore?” she asked.

“Oh yeah they do. I have to go over to the wrecking yard to get them, but Oz keeps them on hand for me so that I can do repairs when I get back to Springfield.”

“You work on your auntie’s car?” Riya asked.

She was going to melt into a puddle right here in the passenger seat, and it had nothing to do with the heated seats.

“I’ll have to tell Aunt Jeannine that you called her Auntie, she’ll love that. She and Aunt Kristie will also get a kick out of Hope’s antics at the wedding.”

“How often do you talk to them?” Riya asked.

“At least once a week.”