Page 34 of A Lot Like Love
“What are we drinking?” he asked, buttoning up a shirt and watching her at the same time.
“Hemingway Daiquiris. And we’re going now.”
Chloe collected her purse and headed for the door, smiling to herself when she heard Ryder curse, his boots managing to sound out even on the carpet as he hurried after her.
“Ouch!” Chloe spun around when he slapped her on the bum, ready to slaphim.
Only the look on his face, the cheeky dimple like a naughty wink staring back at her, made her anger turn into a thrill that ran the entire length of her body. Want swirled in her belly, made her desperate to slam him into the door and press against him. Instead, she put one hand on her hip and glared at him, fighting the smile desperate to take control of her face. She was staying in control whether she liked it or not.
“You,” she admonished, “are a devil. And you’re not even trying to disguise it.”
He spun her before she knew what he was doing, pinning her arms to her sides, her back hard against the door. His body pressed into hers, hips locked forward.
“So they say,” he muttered, letting go of one of her hands to run a finger down to her breasts, then dipping between them. “Now stop wiggling that sexy butt at me and let’s go get a drink.”
“So tell me,” Ryder asked, pushing Chloe’s cocktail toward her and leaning back. “Why are you so terrified of something happening between us?”
She spluttered on her drink. “I’m not terrified.”
“No?” he asked, trying not to take pleasure in how rattled she was. She’d regained her composure now, but she was looking more interested in the bottles lined up behind the bar than she was in him.
“Is it just me or all men?”
Her eyes found his this time, her annoyance obvious. “I don’t have a problem with men.”
“I’m guessing it’s daddy issues,” he mused. “I get it, believe me.”
She sighed and took a sip of her drink. “I’m not denying I have daddy issues, but I don’t have a problem with men.”
“Soit isjust me?”
Now she looked ready to punch him. “Is your ego so big that you can’t deal with the fact a woman can turn you down?”
“Yeah,” he admitted. “It’s never happened before.” Ryder shrugged. “And don’t look so surprised.”
“Ugh.” She took another sip before pushing her drink away and leveling her gaze on him. “You’re so full of yourself it’s sickening.”
“Come on, just tell me why you’re so scared of something happening between us. If it’s the gambling, I get it, but it’s not that.” His smile was infectious. “And I’m only offended that you turned me down because I wanted you so bad.”
“How are you so sure?” she asked, but he could tell she was softening, that she was going to open up. “About the fact that I haveissues.”
Ryder moved his hand, his fingers finding hers and closing over them. He didn’t just want to bed Chloe. She was the most goddamn intriguing woman he’d ever met, and he wanted to know what made her tick.
“Because one minute you want me and the next you’ve got this look in your eyes like you’re about to get it on with the Big Bad Wolf.”
She laughed. “My dad did kind of screw me up where men are concerned. He always let me down, and the last time he did it I vowed never to let a guy have that kind of power over me again. I guess we both have that in common, huh? Wanting to prove ourselves? Only I’m trying to pretend my only family member doesn’t exist.”
Ryder watched as she slid her fingers away from his. “You’re too beautiful to be alone for the rest of your life.”
“And you’re too charming,” she quipped, sipping her drink again.
They sat in silence for a moment, Ryder staring at Chloe’s face as she stared at the bottles.
“I want to make it myself, Ryder. I love men, but I don’t want a relationship. Not with you or any man, so don’t take it personally.” She looked up. “If you want some fun for the next few weeks, then I say hell yes. But if you want more?” She shrugged. “Then you’re out of luck.”
It was impossible for him not to smile. “I didn’t think you wanted to be my bought-and-paid-for mistress.”
Now it was Chloe smiling, her face lighting up as she leaned in toward him. “Sugar, I’m not your mistress if I’m the one calling the shots.”
