Just dont give up, he said with a fierceness that surprised her into looking up past his long, long legs and what lay between, all the way up to his deeply passionate expression.
I wont, she said with some surprise. Funny how the thought of not doing her catering didnt sit well. I wouldnt.
Good. He pulled on his shirt. Uncapping a water bottle, he sat at her side, leaned back on one elbow and tipped back his head to drink.
His Adams apple, such an utterly male thing, bobbed with each swallow. His light blue T-shirt clung to his damp, overworked body. His powerful denim-clad legs were stretched out in front of him, his booted feet crossed in utter relaxation.
A long sigh escaped him as he finished off the water, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Thats good.
What was good was how he looked. She wanted to lick the last drop off his bottom lip. Down, girl. Youre done for the day?
Yes, maam. Nearly done period. Just a couple of hours tomorrow and thats it.
Yeah, thats about what she figured. What about the trees in the back?
Why? He turned his head to face her. You going to miss me?
Only every living second. Of course not.
Right. He turned forward again, his face unreadable. And we trimmed those already.
Oh. Youreum, good at what you do.
He looked at her from beneath half-closed, sleepy, sexy eyes, and she realized how her words had sounded. I meant, the trees, she said quickly. Youre good at the trees.
His expression was silent and searching, his big body so close the yearning nearly overtook her.
Ive been doing it for a long time, he finally said. Thats all.
There was a weariness in his voice now that made her hesitate.
Dont ask.
Dont dig.
It doesnt concern you. He doesnt concern you. Is something the matter?
He looked surprised at the question, and that tugged at her, too. He was surrounded by people, she knew that now. People who depended on him. His brothers. His sister. His laborers.
But who did he depend on?
Im just tired of trees, he admitted, letting out that melting crooked smile while he stretched his long body and groaned. My body is tired of trees. Ill be glad when
Though she waited, he didnt finish. He just closed his mouth, put his sunglasses back over his eyes and tilted up his face to the sinking sun.
Ryan? Youll be glad whenwhat?
A honk from the street startled them both. At the curb sat a bright red Miata. A woman got out, a brunette with legs from here to New York.
Ryan knew this because she wore a leather mini-skirt that showed them off, topped by heels that screamed do me! Her top was leather too, but didnt quite meet the skirt, exhibiting a sparkling stud in her quite exposed belly button.
But what confused Ryan was the way she beelined right toward him, her very red lips in a welcoming smile that he didnt understand.
Him? She was smiling at him?
He craned his neck and checked behind him to make sure, but the only people on the steps were himself and Suzanne.
Ryan? Long Legs held out her slim hand, which he automatically took. Im Allene. She smiled expectantly, as if waiting for him to slap his forehead and say, Of course. Allene.
Allene. Allene. Who the hell was Allene and why was she looking at him like that, as if shed like to gobble him up in one bite? He looked at Suzanne, who was still looking at Allene.
He came to his feet as the woman said, I know we arranged for me to pick you up at home, but I heard you were working down here, and I drive right by every day, so I thought She trailed off and smiled again.
Suddenly Angels message the other night made sense. Everything clicked into place.
His brother.
This was the hot chick Rafe had set him up with, without permission, and while she was definitely hot and definitely a chick, he didnt want Ah, hell.
Suzanne was staring at him.
Allene was staring at him.
And Ryan was going to kill his meddling younger brother. Russ wouldnt mind being without his twin-Rafe was a pain in all their asses. Hed be doing the family a favor. Im sorry, theres been a mistake. My brother
Oh, for Petes sake, just go with her. This from Suzanne, who stood up and dusted off her hands. Have fun.
Suz-
Night! And she was gone, the door to the building shut in his face. Shut very politely, mind you, but shut good and tight.
Do you mind that I came here? Finally sensing his confusion, Allene matched it with a little pout of her full, red lips. I just thought that since I had tickets to that play, we could save time, and-
No. Ryan managed a smile. Its fine, its just that He looked into her melting brown eyes. Im really tired, Im sorry.
Oh. She looked down at a set of tickets in her hand, and Ryan felt like a jerk. Iunderstand.
Ah, hell. But
Allene brightened. But? she said with such hope Ryan knew he had to do this.
But Ill be fine, he said.
Great! Well stop by your house so you can shower and change first. She took his hand and tugged him toward her car.
Ryan watched Taylors building fade away and wondered what Suzanne was thinking. Probably not fond thoughts.
Then he wondered exactly how he should kill his brother. Slowly, he thought. Slowly and painfully.
SEVERAL HOURS LATER Allene dropped Ryan back off at Taylors building for his truck. Turning off her car, she turned and sent him yet another dazzling smile.
After an evening of those mega-wattage smiles-which Ryan now knew covered up an innate inability to have a conversation that didnt apply to her makeup, her hair or her clothes-Ryan felt a little mega-wattaged out.
He hadnt been able to ditch her. When hed tried, she blinked wet eyes at him, saying Rafe had promised hed take her for dessert after, and hed folded like a cheap suitcase.
Damn it. Now all he wanted was a couple of aspirin and a glimpse of another woman.
Suzanne.
He didnt consider it a good sign that he hadnt been able to get her out of his head the entire evening. It wasnt as if shed wanted to go out with him. Hell, she hardly wanted to talk to him.
But somehow he knew that to be a ruse. That what was happening between them simply terrified her.
He understood that. He felt it himself. But it had to be faced.
Tonight. With that in mind, he turned to Allene with an apologetic smile. Its late, he said, leaning back a bit when she unhooked her seatbelt and moved in on him. Allene, wait-
Nope, she didnt wait, she straddled him, right there in the Miata, which had to be a nearly impossible feat given the gear shift. Allene-
Ive wanted to do this since I first saw you there on those steps, all stretched out, hot and sweaty and sexy as hell. Fisting her hands in his hair, she kissed him.
He had a beautiful woman sitting on his lap, trying to shove her tongue down his throat, and he was actually going to fight her off.
What was wrong with this picture?
As gently as he could, he pushed Allene back to the drivers side of the Miata. She fell there, mouth wet, eyes hot, her body sprawled out and hopeful.
She sighed. Its another woman, right?
Im so sorry.
She tossed her hair out of her eyes. Its okay. I knew it.
If shed known it, he was worse off than hed thought. Figuring shed let him off easy, and also feeling a little guilty about it, Ryan practically scrambled out of the Miata. Ran up the steps.
And came face-to-face with Suzanne, who stood there, leaning against the door, arms crossed, face utterly unreadable.
Hey, he said, skidding to a stop, a little breathless.
Reaching out, she swiped a finger over the corner of his mouth. She lifted it to show him the bright red lipstick Allene had left there.
Then she turned and went into the building.
And this time, the door slammed. Hard.
9
AFTER SLAMMING THE DOOR-why had she done that, she didnt care who Ryan went out with-Suzanne stalked through the dark hallway, up the stairs and straight into Taylors apartment.
Taylor? She let herself in. I need an ice cream fix!
Well, then, come on back! I have a brand new gallon and two clean spoons.
Suzanne stormed into the kitchen, headed for Taylors freezer and grabbed the gallon container. Since Taylor had sold her antique dining room set to start work on the loft, there was nowhere to sit, so they each hopped up on the counter.
Doing her best not to remember what had happened the last time shed sat on a counter, Suzanne took the spoon Taylor handed her and dug in.
Taylor waited until theyd each had five good-sized bites. So. Swinging her feet, she sucked a drop of ice cream off her spoon. What did he do?
He who?
He who. Ryan who.
Suzanne studied a swirl of chocolate. What makes you think he did anything?
Because hes got a penis, hon. He cant help but be an idiot.
Yeah. Suzanne sighed. But for some reason, I always forget that idiot part.
Well, I have to admit, Ryan does seem to have evolved slightly further than the average knuckle-dragger. I mean he looks at you, really looks at you. If you gave him any encouragement at all, I think hed go for it.
Suzanne snorted and shoveled in more ice cream.
Taylor lifted a brow. Are you saying hes already gone for it?
No.
Oh, Taylor said with disappointment.
I went for it. At Taylors shocked laugh, she sighed. Remember when the electricity went out the other evening? We nearly
Taylor put down her spoon. Nearly what?
Suzanne dug back into the container with more force than was required. Lets just say the electricity came on just in time and my sanity returned.
Wow. So you nearly Taylor sighed. Hes got the best body.
One he took out a date tonight with a woman who looks like a Barbie doll.
Hmm.
He kissed her.
No.
Oh yeah.
Taylor put her spoon down. Should we kill him?
Im serious.
So am I. Taylor hopped off the counter, and looked deep into Suzannes eyes. Are you sure youre not mistaken? Ive seen him watch you. There is no one else, there couldnt be.
There was tonight.
Talk to him.
Suzanne hopped down, too, but kept a hold of the tub of ice cream. She wasnt letting go of her comfort food. No way.
I think you should.
And I think we need to renew our vow to remain single, since youve apparently forgotten it. Im borrowing this ice cream. She went out the door.
Taylor sighed. Ill renew my vow, she said to the swinging door. But I have the feeling you wont be needing yours for long.