How they’d torn at each other’s clothing. It was pure, hot passion. But it was nothing more if he could leave her like that.
He’d said he’d protect her. Well, she was a grown woman and she could deal. She’d already done it once. Honestly, driving home with Scott wouldn’t be so bad after this. At least it would keep her mind off what a fool she’d been and the sheer shock she was still in that Ryder had run from the bear.
A part of her wanted to stay and listen to his explanation. But when she was fully packed and he hadn’t returned, she decided she couldn’t stay any longer. She sat on the couch and waited for Scott.
After a few moments, the door opened, and Ryder stood there.
Naked, his hair covered in snow.
She didn’t even know what to say. On the one hand, his face had become familiar to her. The features beloved. And she wanted to rush into his arms and feel safe again.
On the other, the image of him running out of the room without a word was burned into her brain.
“Janna, we need to talk,” he said, walking forward.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her anger so she could stay cool and say what needed to be said. “About what? About how you left me after promising to protect me or about how you were apparently running around in the snow naked while I was in fear for my life?”
He blanched. “I know it looks bad, but I can explain.”
She heard her voice grow slightly hysterical but couldn’t stop it. “Oh really? Please do!” She waited, knowing there would be no explanation.
Ryder bit his lip and then shook his head and walked to the closet to pull out his travel case. He pulled on clothes, and she noticed he was shivering slightly. Well, too bad.
He walked forward as if to join her on the couch, but her furious expression stopped him dead in his tracks. She put up a hand.
“No, if you’re going to explain, explain from there. I can’t think when you’re close.”
One corner of his mouth almost quirked up at that, but he seemed to grasp the seriousness of the situation and what he’d done. She seriously hoped Scott drove slow so she’d get to hear whatever crazy story he came up with to excuse his actions. She could enjoy sharing it with the girls later.
“I…”
But a knock sounded at the door and Ryder turned toward it in shock. When he looked back at her, there was a hint of betrayal in those deep-blue eyes. “You called someone?”
She stood and grabbed her suitcase, fighting back tears. She didn’t want to hurt him, but what could he expect? That she’d stay the rest of the week with him after that? No way. “Sorry, Ryder. I know you think I’m a strong woman, but I’m not that strong. This isn’t going to work out.”
He scratched at his head, ruffling the hair there furiously, still looking like he wanted to say something but knew it would sound crazy.
Well, he could keep his secrets. And she could go back to her ordinary life. It wasn’t so bad compared to nearly being eaten by a bear.
“Don’t leave,” he said, walking forward to put his arms on hers. “You don’t understand. You could be in danger.”
She met his eyes. “Yeah, if I stayed with you.”
“No, just give me a minute to explain. I have to show you.”
“No,” she said. “I have to go. Maybe I’ll cool down later. Maybe at some point we can talk. But right now, I need to be home. Where I feel safe.” She opened the door and Ryder sucked in his breath and let out a low curse when he saw Scott at the door.
“Not with him,” he growled.
She felt her hackles rise and didn’t see why he had any right to judge her. “Yes, him. He may be a cheat, but he’ll get me home safe.”
“Like hell,” Ryder growled, coming between her and Scott. This display of protective dominance nearly made her knees weak again, but her rational mind was now firmly in the driver’s seat and she wasn’t letting it out again. She pushed hard on him, but he didn’t budge.
“It’s not your choice! You can’t force me,” she said.
At that, he let out a frustrated exhale and moved to the side. She walked to Scott, who put an arm around her waist. She let him. Not that she wanted him to, but she needed Ryder to get the hint and back off. At least for now. She needed to go cry it out somewhere where there were no bears and no confusing billionaires either.
“Wait,” he said. “Just give me a minute to explain.”
She clenched her suitcase. Everything in her body wanted to listen to him, wanted him to have a way to make it all okay. But she knew he couldn’t. “You should have explained before you left me alone,” she said.