Game For Love: All The Right Moves (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Marquita Valentine Page A

ex-girlfriend.” He smirked, and Ryan wanted to punch him, but it looked like someone had done enough damage. And that someone, he suspected, was Ashley, because her brothers hadn’t had a chance to find Dean. Yet.
    “She wanted to get back together, once she learned I was back in town, but,” he shrugged, and then winced a little, “I turned her down. Word to the wise, brah … stay away from redheads named Ashley.”
    Ryan nodded and started to walk by Dean, without respo nding to his asinine taunting. Reconsidering, he decided he did have something else to say.
    “Hey Dean,” he called out, and the guy turned around.
    Dean took a look at Ryan’s face and paled. “Shit. Not again.”

Chapter Fourteen
    Ashley sat in the love seat, with Bluebelle curled up beside her.
    Her eyes felt puffy, and her throat was raw from crying for the past hour. There was no one she could talk to about it, no one who would listen.
    Over the past few years, she’d made Dean and then her business her world. Only Bluebelle and Ryan had encouraged her to come out of it and fully embrace life.
    Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. It was her best friend, Laurie. She hadn’t spoken to her since she’d left on a month-long trip with her new husband. Only, instead of being giddy to talk to her friend, Ashley wanted to ignore her call. But… she answered it anyway, before it went to voice mail. “Hi, Laurie.”
    “Hey Ash! I’m back from my honeymoon.”
    “That’s great. I missed you.”
    “Missed you, too, doll. When can we get together?”
    “Whenever you want,” Ashley said.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing.”
    Laurie made a tsking sound. “You are such a liar.”
    “I know.”
    “Have your brothers kicked his ass yet?” Laurie asked.
    Bluebell e raised her head, and then took off for the back gate. She only did when company came calling. Or strangers. “I swear… if Dean is back.”
    “Oh my God. That asshat came to your house?”
    Ashley stomped across the yard. “Yes.”
    “I hope you told him off.”
    “I punched him in the nose and then accidentally on purpose shut the car door on his leg. Twice.”
    “Heck, yeah,” Laurie crowed. “Let the ginger loose.”
    With a laugh, Ashley stopped just shy of the gate. “Let me go. I need to see who’s here.”
    “Okay. Love you. Call me. Bye.” Laurie ended their call.
    “Did you really do all that to him, sweetness?”
    Her breath caught in her throat. “Ryan?”
    “Open the gate , and let’s talk.”
    “I told you I don’t want to date you anymore.”
    “And I agreed with you.” He reached over her tall fence, fumbling for the lock at the top, and unlocking it on the second try. The gate swung open, revealing his sexy face and body. “I want more.”
    He stepped in her yard and closed the gate. She stepped back , looking for another exit.
    “Please, Ashley, hear me out.”
    “Why, so you can tell me all the reasons why you’re going to Dallas without me?” She turned away and started for the house.
    He caught her by the arm and tugged her to him. “No.” He lifted her chin. His dark eyes were tender and loving. Wait, that couldn’t be right. If he felt the way he looked right now, there would be no way he’d be leaving her.
    “I want to tell you all the reasons why you are going to Dallas with me, but right now, I can only think of two,” he admitted with a sheepish grin.
    “And those are?”
    “I love you, Ashley Margaret Mitchell, and I want you to be my wife.” Getting down on one knee, he held up a diamond ring.
    “You love me?” she asked, all breathless.
    “Yes.”
    “And you want to marry me?”
    “Hell yes.” He stood up. “That’s why I don’t want to date you anymore. I want to make you mine and take you off the playing field.”
    “Ryan?”
    “Yeah?”
    She gave him a tremulous smile. “I have two replies for you.”
    “ And those are?”
    “I love you, Ryan Shea Turner, and I would be honored to be your