Shattered (Steel Brothers Saga 7)

I looked up at Blondie and assessed her quickly. I had bigger boobs than she did, though hers weren’t bad. I grabbed my wineglass, which the waiter had just refilled, thank God, and took quite a gulp. When was the last time I had compared my boobs to another woman’s? And why did I suddenly care?

Blondie smiled. “I was walking by and I happened to see you in here, so I thought I’d come in and say hi.”

“Hi back,” Ryan said.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”

“Well…sure.” Ryan introduced all of us, ending with me.

“Hi, everyone. I’m Juliet.”

A chorus of salutations echoed across the table.

I stayed silent. It hadn’t taken Ryan Steel long to find a conquest for the evening.

A lump had lodged in my throat. I wasn’t sure why. I certainly didn’t have any designs on Ryan Steel. Did I? He was way out of my league anyway. And I wasn’t looking for a man. Ever.

“Are you done with dinner?” Juliet asked Ryan. “It’s a gorgeous night for a walk on the beach.”

“It is,” Ryan agreed. “But I’ve already got plans for a walk with Ruby.” He took my hand. “Shall we?”

I arched one eyebrow. Was he using me to get rid of Blondie? Because I was nobody’s tool.

“No, we don’t,” I said.

“Of course we do. You promised.” He smiled.

No. Stop beating, heart. Don’t let that gorgeous smile sway you. He’s just trying to get out of walking with Blondie—although why is beyond me. I don’t want him anyway. I could never handle him.

I wasn’t playing this game. I stood. “Excuse me.” I turned and walked toward the door of the restaurant.

Chapter Six

Ryan

I followed Ruby with my gaze.

Juliet was tugging on my arm. “Doesn’t seem like she’s really interested,” she gushed. “But I am.”

I stood, shaking her off of me. “I’m sorry, but I’m not.”

I left her standing by our table with a pout on her face. I’d no doubt hear from my brothers about this scene later, but right now I wanted to find Ruby. She had dashed out of the restaurant pretty quickly, but she couldn’t have gotten far.

It was nearing midnight, but the resort was well lit. There she was…heading toward the beach. Surprising. I’d figured she’d go back to her room. I stayed quiet, just following her, until she came to the sand. She unstrapped her sandals and let her feet sink into the white plush.

I was wearing black loafers, no socks. I’d have to take my shoes off too. She was already walking toward the ocean when I got my shoes off and my pants rolled halfway up my calves.

“Hey!” I said to her.

She turned around, her eyes wide. “Who is it?”

“It’s me. Ryan.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t sound so excited to see me.”

“Look, I don’t appreciate you using me to get out of walking with that blond bobblehead you picked up.”