“A chance?” She swallowed against the lump in her throat. As a financial analyst, she knew better than most that if it sounded too good to be true, it probably was.
“Yes, a chance. I like you. I liked you from the moment I saw you, and I think you like me.”
“Maybe,” she said, not meeting his eyes. If he looked into her own, he’d see the lust burning there. He’d think she was a woman that easily fell for a man, when the opposite was true.
He shed his jacket as the cabin warmed. She could hear the heater running. The room was well lit, with gorgeous leather furniture and rustic wood decor that was probably specially carved for the lodge and its adjoining buildings. For city people to feel like they were roughing it. It would have worked on her if Scott had brought her.
But apparently, she hadn’t been good enough for that.
But with Ryder, she was.
He looked even broader and taller without the coat. His massive shoulders pushed against a blue cashmere sweater just slightly darker than his eyes. His biceps and forearms more than filled out the sleeves, and he’d pushed them up slightly, baring beautiful wrists and hands. Fine hands with long, strong fingers. Fingers he’d used to tilt her chin just that afternoon. Fingers that could do wicked things that made her wet just thinking of them.
He took a couple dangerous steps forward, and Janna felt her pulse speed up. Was Ryder Hart a player? She couldn’t remember reading anything non-business about him. She bit her lip and tried to hide a shuddering breath as he looked down at her, nearly close enough to touch. He put a finger beneath her chin and lifted her gaze to his.
That’s it, she thought. He can see it. He knows. Sure enough, she met his eyes and saw triumph lighting there in the sparkling blue. She squirmed slightly and his arms came around her, holding her up.
“This is so unprofessional,” she said weakly, pressing against his chest, only to have the feel of his firm muscle make her feel even weaker.
“Mmm,” he said, leaning forward to nip the top of her ear. “Sometimes unprofessional is more fun.” His hand caressed her waist and moved toward her bottom, and she pulled away. He wrapped both arms around her instead and looked down.
Gosh, he was handsome. That jaw was cut from granite, just a hint of a cleft in his chin. Full, pouty lips with a sculpted cupid’s bow. High, carved cheekbones.
He put a hand up to caress her hair and his thumb brushed the top of her cheek. “Tell me to stop, Janna, and I will.”
She blinked, body rebelling against her mind. Her mind said this was dangerous. That she’d only gotten carried away once in her life and it had ended badly, so she should run from this. But her body kept saying how good it felt to be in Ryder’s arms and how long it had been since she’d been with a man. Maybe if she just didn’t have any expectations, maybe if she just assumed he’d leave at the end, maybe they could just have some fun together and that would be all. And it wouldn’t have to hurt or disappoint her after.
She knew her place. Ryder was probably looking for a week of fun and then to forget.
But judging from the electric feel of his hands on her body, her hormones were up for whatever he wanted.
As long as he didn’t stop touching her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, pulling away slightly, making her body ache with need at the loss of contact.
She shook her head and pulled away with great effort and slumped over the couch.
“I just… I barely know you. This makes no sense. I don’t want you to think I’m the kind of woman who… well, makes rushed decisions.”
“Would it matter if you were?” he asked, sitting next to her, making her feel small even when they were both seated. “Would it affect what happens between us? I want to get to know you, Janna. Just who you are.”
“But why?” she asked. “You could have anyone in the world. How do I know you aren’t just killing some time while working out your father’s business. I’m sorry, but guys like you don’t go for girls like me. Not without a catch.”
“A catch?”
“Like Scott,” she said nervously, pulling down her sweater.
Ryder’s face hardened and he drew up to his full, intimidating height. “I’m nothing like him. He’s an ass.”
She laughed, slapping her knee. “It feels good to hear that, you know? But the thing was I didn’t think he was an ass then.”
“So you learned. But are you going to hold every man accountable to that? Why don’t you let me show you something different?” He leaned forward and the air heated between them. “You know I’m different.”