Game on by Cheryl Douglas

off.” She cursed when she realized he was probably
grinning from ear to ear after that admission. “Don’t think I can’t keep my hands
off you. I’m not like all the other women who throw themselves at you.” Maybe
she had seemed that way tonight, but every woman was entitled to a moment of
weakness when a gorgeous, sexy man was wielding his tongue like a weapon,
wasn’t she?
    “No, you’re nothin’ like them,” he said
quietly.
    She wasn’t used to this softer, gentler
side of Ryan. Sure, he’d always been there for her when she needed a shoulder
to cry on, but this was different. It was almost felt like he was pursuing her,
which was ridiculous. Wasn’t it ?
    “Well, it’s a work day tomorrow. I guess I
should get some sleep.” And dream about that kiss. Damn you, Ryan Spencer.
    “I haven’t seen much of you this week. How
did things go with Clint and his family?”
    She cringed at the memory of one of the
most awkward nights she’d ever spent in a man’s company. “It was, uh, strange.”
    “How so?”
    “He and his father don’t get along very
well. I get the feelin’ his poor mama has to run interference a lot.”
    “So why’d he take you along? He expected
the old man to be on his best behavior if a stranger was thrown into the mix?”
    “I don’t know. I’ve been trying to figure
out why he wanted me there. It doesn’t make sense.” She reached down to pet her
Himalayan cat, Coco. “He’s a nice enough guy, but-” She didn’t know if she
should admit to Ryan her attraction to the country singer had already fizzled
and died She’d wanted to feel something for Clint, but after her experience
with Jared, she’d promised herself she wouldn’t waste any more time with the
wrong men.
    “But… what?” When she didn’t respond, he
said, “Bri, I’m still the same guy. You can tell me anything, you know that.
I’ll try to listen, as your friend, not as the guy who kissed you senseless a
little while ago.”
    She smiled. Ryan had this uncanny ability
to make her smile regardless of the circumstances. He made the worst seem
bearable and the best seem even better when he was there to share it with her.
She had an amazing family and extended family and several close friends, but no
one like Ryan. That’s what scared her. If they found the courage to pursue
their attraction and she lost him, she couldn’t imagine what her life would be
like without him.
    “I don’t think Clint’s the guy for me, Ry.”
    He chuckled. “Hell, I coulda told you that.”
    “I like him,” she said quickly. “It’s just…
when he kisses me…”
    “Uh, Bri.” He cleared his throat. “This may
fall under the heading of too much information .”
    She took a deep breath and found the
courage to say exactly what was on her mind. This was Ryan. She’d always been
able to tell him anything and everything. “I don’t feel the way I do when you
kiss me.”
    She could hear the smile in his voice when
he said, “I take back what I said. That was just the right amount of
information.”
    “What the hell are we doin’ here?” she
whispered. “This might be the biggest mistake we’ve ever made, Ry.”
    “Yeah, or it could be the smartest risk
I’ve ever taken.”
    She let his words sink in as she thought
about the implications of taking that risk with him. “I don’t know…”
    “We don’t have to decide anything tonight.
Just get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow at the office, okay?”
    “Okay, good night.”
    “Sweet dreams, angel.”
    She closed her eyes and let his deep voice
envelop her. She was used to hearing the laughter in his voice, accustomed to
his teasing and sarcasm, but the ache of longing she heard tonight was so
uncharacteristic, she didn’t know how to respond, so she merely said, “’Night.”
     
    ***
     
    Ryan looked up from his spreadsheet to see
Aiden Cooper darkening his doorway. “Long time no see, buddy. How’s it goin’?”
    “Save the b.s. for someone