Adios Pantalones (Fisher Brothers 3)

“What does,” I asked, but I knew exactly what he meant.

“Your name. It’s beautiful.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.” I tried to sound strong, but being so close to Ryan’s body heat was like asking yourself not to burn when you were already on fire.

Ryan shifted on his feet and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not trying to flatter you, angel. I’m really not.”

God, he was so good-looking, it should have been a crime. My attraction to him had to be written all over my face, let alone my body. Every part of myself betrayed me, weakening my resolve.

“Then what are you trying to do?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Get to know you.”

I shook my head. “I’ve already told you. You’re not my type.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

I had to stop the sarcastic laugh that threatened to burst from my lips. “No.”

Maybe I should have lied. If Ryan thought I had a boyfriend, I was fairly certain he would back off.

“You don’t have a boyfriend.” He held up a hand as he started counting. One finger.

“You pretend you hate my guts.” Second finger.

“You also keep pretending you’re not interested in me.” Third finger.

“But I know you feel this energy between us, because there’s no way I’m the only one who feels this.” Fourth finger.

“All I can think is that there’s something you’re not telling me.” Fifth finger.

Ryan held up his whole hand in front of me, one eyebrow raised as he waited for a response.

My head swam with his accusations as light-headedness consumed me. “I really have to go. I can’t be late.” I needed to get away from Ryan and all of his stupid finger-counting and pressure and gorgeous eyes.

A solid hand wrapped around my upper arm, and I looked at it as he spoke. “Just say you’ll come back. One time. Please, Sofia.”

Reaching for his fingers, I peeled them off my arm before I stepped into the parking lot. “I was already planning on it,” I said casually before getting inside my car and driving off.

Ryan would probably assume I was coming back to see him, but I was only fulfilling my end of the bargain that I’d made with Grant. And now that he wasn’t dead like I’d thought he was twenty minutes ago, I’d have to uphold it.

Off My Game

Ryan

Refusing to move an inch, I watched Sofia drive off until she made a right turn and disappeared from sight. If I could have run to a rooftop to watch the rest of her drive, I would have. This woman was turning me into a desperate man. But then again, she’d said she was already planning on coming back to the bar. Which meant that before I’d begged her like a starved man, she had planned to come and see me again.

The thought alone filled me with a mixture of feelings, some I didn’t recognize and couldn’t quite name. But one distinct emotion stood out above all the others—excitement.

One time, that was all I’d need, and I knew it. One visit from her and I’d break down her walls, or at least start scaling them like a fucking boss. I would make Sofia see that I wasn’t who she thought I was. All her preconceived notions about me were wrong, and I planned to prove exactly that to her.

When I walked back inside the bar, I was met by Nick smirking at me. I’d forgotten all about him while I was lost in thoughts of winning my angel over.

“She’s pretty,” he said as he wiped the top of the bar, even though I’d already cleaned it earlier.

“I know she’s pretty,” I said as if that was the stupidest statement I’d heard all day.

The office door swung open and Frank stepped out. “Who’s pretty?”