Rider's Kiss

“Yeah, I’m here.” Victoria heard some rustling around in the background and asked, “Where are you?”

“In my car on the way to the hotel. I just had dinner with Reena at Big Joe’s.”

Victoria’s stomach rumbled at the mention of the familiar pizza place. Big Joe had the best pizza in the state. “The chef in me approves of your choice.”

“It was go

od,” he admitted, “but it would’ve been better if you’d joined us.”

Victoria nearly smiled at the thought, but before she could get too excited, her guard went up. He was probably merely being polite. There wasn’t anything more to it than that, and she’d do well to keep that in mind. Rider wasn’t interested in her. And he never will be unless you do something about it.

She ignored the inner warning and said, “I don’t remember getting an invite.”

“That’s easily fixed,” he answered with a deep, gravelly tone that had the juncture between Victoria’s thighs warming. “Would you like to go to dinner with me tomorrow night, Victoria? Just the two of us, I mean.”

She made a valiant attempt to tamp down her eagerness. “Are you being serious?”

“I’m very serious.”

She couldn’t help wondering if Rider was asking her out only because he’d seen her new look and liked it. She’d proven to be less of a frumpy old maid so now she was date worthy. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” she replied, surprising herself by turning him down.

He was quiet a moment. Finally, he said, “I had a feeling you’d say that. You don’t trust me much, do you?”

“I don’t trust your sudden change of heart,” she explained. “You saw a few pictures, Rider. I’m still the same person I was the other day when you called me a spinster.”

He cursed. “You’re determined not to forgive me, aren’t you?”

Victoria bit her lip as the need to shy away from the conversation rose up. “All I’m saying is that you’ve made yourself pretty clear.”

“I was an ass,” he grumbled. “And I wish like hell you’d let me make it up to you.”

Victoria’s heart raced, and she took a sip of her wine for strength. “There’s no need.”

“Is there someone you’re interested in? Is that what the new look is about?”

Yes, you. She kept the words to herself, but it wasn’t easy. “I need to go,” she said, desperate to end the conversation lest she start professing her undying love to the man. “I have a long day tomorrow.”

“Don’t do that,” he whispered.

Victoria frowned, unsure what he meant. “What?”

“You run any time things get complicated.” He paused, then softly added, “At least answer my question.”

“Yes, there is someone,” she answered as honestly as she could. “But it doesn’t matter, because he doesn’t want me that way.”

“Then he’s a damn fool,” Rider said with no small amount of anger in his tone.

“Couldn’t agree more,” Victoria said.

“You’re a beautiful woman, sweetheart,” he said in a softer voice. “Any man would be lucky to have you.”

If only that were true. “You’re a liar, but thank you.”

“Talk to you soon, Victoria. Sweet dreams.”

“You too,” she said, her voice a little unsteady.

Victoria hung up the phone and shot out of her chair. Had she really just turned down a date with Rider? Was she certifiable? Her emotions were going haywire, and for what? All because she’d gotten a call from a man. “God, I’m so stupid!” she shouted. There was no way she’d get any sleep tonight.