Page 38 of Hook Up

I expect to see a look of confusion cross his face, but instead, he nods, his lips set in a thin line. “Greg mentioned you have a lot of debt.”

My cheeks flame at his direct statement. “Why would he say that? My financial situation isn’t his business. It isn’tyourbusiness.”

Ryder pulls me closer, his eyes darkening with intensity. “I’m making it my business. I want to help you. Will you let me help you?”

“No.”

Now he’s biting back a laugh, that endearing grin on full display. “I figured that would be your answer, but I need something from you, too.”

My mind reels at his words. “What can I possibly offer you, that you can’t afford on your own?”

Those eyes. The bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. “I want you.”

I didn’t hear him correctly. “I’m sorry. What?”

“I want you, Greer.”

“I’m not for sale.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

I step back from the circle of his arms, my gaze narrowing. “You want to fuck me, is that it?”

Grasping my hand, Ryder leads me to a quiet alcove, leaning his large frame against mine. “I need you to stop referring to it as fucking. I told you I had no plans on fucking you, and I still don’t.”

“Ever?” Wow, that half glass of champagne went to my head. Filter, right out the damn door.

His fingers glide along my chin, a sexy smirk playing upon his lips. “Would you still need me to fuck you if I tortured this gorgeous body every day?” His lips travel along the column of my neck, pressing against my pulse point. “If I make you come several times a day, each time harder than the last, would you still require that I fuck you?”

“I don’t understand. You want me but you don’twantme.”

“Gigi, I plan on possessing every inch of you. I can’t wait to perform the act several times daily with you, but I’m averse to the term. In regard to you, anyway.”

“What don’t you like about the term?”

“It’s not special enough for you.”

God help my heart.

Shaking my head, I force the conversation back on track. “What is this deal, Ryder? Seriously.”

He offers an embarrassed laugh, his gaze downward. “I need your help. See, my ex is being difficult.”

“I heard your conversation earlier. I wasn’t eavesdropping, but it got a bit… loud.”

Ryder winces, running a hand over his beard. “I hate you heard that argument. Anyway, with race season coming up, I need to lie low and focus. The last thing I need is a media storm.”

Ah, message received, Ryder. “I fly home tomorrow. You won’t see me again. Problem solved.”

He moves in closer, every inch of his body pressing against mine. “Never say that again, Gigi. I don’t need you further from me. Quite the opposite, in fact. Besides, the media already knows about you and they’re loving the angle of reunited childhood friends.”

Pushing my hands against his rock-hard chest, I force a few inches between us. “What are you saying?”

“We need to keep dating.”

“But we’re not dating, Ryder. I mean, according to the media we are—”

“And it needs to stay that way,” Ryder interjects, his tone firm and unrelenting.

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