Holiday Heat

Ryker

I dragin a deep breath and let it out slowly, uncomfortable in the pressed button-down and dress pants left over from my corporate days. The crowd of people closes in on me and it takes all my strength not to run screaming out of this room.

That and the memory of Jane’s beautiful face when she turned and ran from me.

Hurt shadowed her whiskey eyes and pain hit my chest like a fucking bat to the body.

I didn’t want to hurt her. But I’m torn because I know that she can seriously hurt me. I feel it. Feel myself sinking deeper into all the emotions she stirs up. Fascination, fear and an unending tidal wave of lust. It’s a heady mix and my head swims every time I think about her curvy little body. Every time I think I’m smelling her unique perfume. It’s frustrating as hell. I’m confused. I don’t want to be here but yet I can’t stay away.

I search the crowd of people milling around in the big, brightly-lit room. Like a beacon, I spot her long, dark hair falling in gentle waves down her back. Her bare back. My mind melts and I move towards her like I’m on auto-pilot. The other women standing with her see me first and all of them stare at me with their mouths hanging open.

Jane’s in the middle of saying something but her voice fades when she sees them staring behind her.

“Okay, guys. Seriously. Who’s behind me? Did you guys manage to get that dud, Richard, up here. Because if you did and you think that’s gonna get us together you’re crazy. I’m not about to forgive him for going over my head to one of my author’s. And…”

“My name’s not Richard, baby doll. But I’d be happy to go kick his ass if you want me to.”

She draws in a hissed breath and then turns, her slim shoulders squared and her stubborn little chin set in a mutinous line. The sexy gold dress skates over dangerous curves. Curves that make my mouth water and my dick hard as a steel pipe. “What are you doing here? I thought I made it clear that I have no interest in continuing with whatever this is.”

I shrug my shoulders and chuckle. “I’ve always been stubborn. If I don’t hear what I want to hear, I just ignore it.”

“You sound like a child throwing a temper tantrum. Are you even allowed to be on this property?”

Her snippy comment makes me snort. If she only knew. There’s no way in hell anybody would tell me not to come here. But I don’t want to tell her why. Because if she started some simpering, stupid dialogue once she found out who I am, I think my heart would break.

“Yeah. It’s all good. How about you dance with me, baby doll?” I hold out a hand which she eyes like it’s a damn rattler.

“I don’t think so. I’m sure if you looked hard enough you’d find someone else to pour all your troubles out to.”

“I’m not looking to tell you my troubles. I’m looking at your body and picturing it slammed up against mine while I grind all over your sexy curves.”

Four mouths drop open and stare at me like I’m a crazy person.

“Excuse me,” she hisses. “But how dare you say things like that.” She stalks up to me and her finger pokes me in the chest. Which makes it super-easy to grab her and pull her into my body, settling into her soft curves like she’s a luscious, curvy armchair.

Her wide, whiskey eyes flare with golden streaks like fireworks and I can’t resist her. Leaning over, I press my lips to hers. Just for a second. Just enough to whet my appetite for more but not enough to get kneed in the balls.

Her lips are sweet and warm and so damn tempting that I have to force myself to back away. But I do. Licking my lips to get every last taste of her on my tongue.

She shoves me off and I back away quickly, not ready for whatever she might throw at me.

But instead she stalks off to the punch bowl, her back stiff and her steps careful. Like she’s afraid she’ll break.

I turn back to find myself face to face with a bunch of very curious women. But one eyes me with suspicion. Her grey eyes narrowed and her mouth tight, she asks, “What exactly are your intentions with my friend there? Because if all you want is a good time, maybe find yourself another woman. Jane’s too nice to chase you off but if I have to I’ll call her brother, my husband, and you better believe he’ll impress on you the importance of finding a more willing woman to mess around with. Jane doesn’t deserve that. She’s had a rough year.”

My eyes sharpen on her. “How has she had a rough year? Did something happen?”

“Yeah. Richard.”

“Well, then why would she think that you would bring that guy here for her?” My patience snaps. My lips firm into a thin line. I want answers.

“I don’t know. But there’s no way in hell any of us would do that. He’s an ass. And he deserves to lose his job because of that stupid stunt he pulled. But she’s too nice and she let it slide.”

“What did he do?”

She leans over. “I can’t tell you all of it. But they were involved and he poached one of her clients. One that she’s dealt exclusively with for a long time. And he tried with others. Including her brother which is what got him caught.”

“Why would he try and poach her clients?”