Bearllionaire(22)

“Yes,” she said. “Especially since I can just get online and Google you if I need to verify anything.”

“I suppose so. Though you won’t get internet out here. I’d need to take you up to the lodge.” He cocked his head and a dark lock caressed his forehead. She had the oddest urge to reach over and tuck it back out of the way. It was a crime to hide any of that beautiful, smooth skin. He had lines, sure, but they were the type that added character, at the corner of his eyes and faintly at the side of his mouth. He looked like a man in the prime of his life who had lived enough to be interesting.

Had she lived enough to be interesting? She sort of hoped they didn’t have to talk about her career. Accounting wasn’t exactly an exciting topic.

A knock on the door sounded, and Ryder stood smoothly to answer. He exchanged words and possibly a tip with whomever was there and then came back with takeout bags in his hand that were emitting steam and a wonderful smell.

“That smells amazing,” she said as he pulled clean dishes from the cupboard and started setting the table. It was easy for him to reach even the top shelves of everything, and Janna thought it would be nice to have him around. She wouldn’t have to always be grabbing the footstool to get things in her kitchen.

Well, her foolish brain could think of a lot of reasons he’d be great to have around. But fairytales just didn’t happen. She needed to remember that and keep her eye on the prize. The pay that would get her out of here and help her forget the mistake she made with Scott forever.

But she felt just a tinge of longing that it could be different. That someone like she and Ryder really could fit together.

“I was hoping to cook for you, but after…” He trailed off, flushing adorably, and started taking out large takeout containers to serve onto the plates. “Well, we’ll do it when you’re less tired. I’m sure you’re starving.”

She was about to protest but remembered her stomach rumbling.

“I promise you can count on me to be more of a gentleman,” he said, pushing her plate toward her. A deep-brown steak emitting savory fumes was laid alongside grilled asparagus. A meal that would be filling and healthy at the same time. And indulgent. How long had it been since she went out?

She waited for him to be served and then noticed him waiting for her to take a bite. She eyed him suspiciously, not liking being watched when eating.

“Ah, sorry,” he said, averting his eyes and taking a bite. “I’m afraid one of my failings is I sort of prefer my women well fed.”

“Well, we are less grumpy that way,” she said lightly, cutting into her steak.

“That’s not why… Oh, never mind.”

She chewed a bite of her meat, intrigued enough that she barely tasted it. “What do you mean that’s not why? Why, then?”

He gritted his teeth and she definitely thought she could make out a light flush on his high, severe cheekbones. She’d embarrassed Ryder Hart somehow. “I… Well, I’ll explain more later. I’ve already messed things up enough today.”

“So you like women with a little meat on their bones,” she said, happily working her way through the meal as they spoke. The awkwardness of the moment wasn’t enough to counteract the tastiness of the entree. “Nothing to be ashamed of there.”

“I said I didn’t want to talk about it,” he said quietly, continuing to eat. “But yes, short story, I like it. Now eat.”

“I am,” she said, grinning. “So what are you going to cook for me later?”

He perked up at that and set down his fork. He didn’t seem very hungry. More nervous. “Whatever you like. What are your favorites?”

“Whatever you want to cook,” she said.

“Easy to please. I like that.”

“Do you?” she asked, eyes flashing to his. “I sort of got the impression you liked hard to get.”

He met her gaze with hard sapphire blue. “Are you hard to get?”

She didn’t blink. “Maybe.”

“Then, yes, I like it,” he said, leaning back in his chair and eyeing her with that strangely predatory yet flattering gaze.

She finished her meal as they spoke about their families. Ryder wouldn’t say much other than he and his brothers left home for school and hadn’t been back, and rarely saw one another but kept in touch. Janna could tell him most of the truth about her family. Controlling mom, gorgeous, skinny sister whom she was relieved Ryder didn’t seem at all interested in meeting, and a father who worked too much and wasn’t really around.

Perhaps she hadn’t dated around enough before Scott, and that’s why she fell the way she did. And perhaps her dad hadn’t been around enough to teach her anything about men.