Page 101 of Seduction in Spades

SEALY:No such thing

Ryder:Your equipment working okay?

SEALY:I’m a stud. No worries. How’s dessert?

Ryder:So fucking sweet on my tongue

SEALY:Keep your tongue in your mouth, fucker.

Ryder:No can do. I take it you’re not coming back until your dick falls off.

SEALY:Dick’s getting a workout. Needs to recover before heading home.

Sweat beads on my upper lip and down my spine. “What the fuck?” I drop Ryder’s phone on the hardwood floor, not caring if it cracked. “Nolan’s with another woman? You’ve been covering for him?”

I stumble back, my legs weak from the betrayal. It doesn’t make sense. Why would Trey be part of this too? My eyes burn.

“Jesus, Avery. Of course not.” He grips my forearms, holding me upright. “It’s code. I swear.”

“I don’t...” I shake my head, the tears pouring down my cheeks.

“Fuck. He’s going to kill me for even telling you this.” Ryder tugs me to the couch, and I numbly follow. “He had Trey check into this place with his name as a cover. If anything... If anything goes array, he has an alibi. Nolan Jones checked into Balsam Mountain Heights. His credit card was used to fill up gas, buy groceries, and the Chinese takeout from last night. Our texts are moreproofthat he went away and can’t possibly be involved with... whatever he’s involved in.”

“But if the bad guys think he’s up here, doesn’t that put us at risk?”

“He’s got eyes on the bad guy and wouldn’t have suggested this if he didn’t think it was the safest plan.”

My head is still dizzy from emotions. “What does it mean? His equipment, you talking about his dick? I take it you’re using that as code for something.”

“Beauty and brains. So not fair Nolan got to you first.”

Ryder wraps me in a brotherly hug, although my brother doesn’t do hugs, but this is what I imagine an affectionate brotherly hug would feel like. I let my cheek rest on his shoulder and take comfort in his arms.

Other than Nolan, Ryder’s the only man I’ve ever been close to like this. It’s nice. It’s familiar. It’s what I now realize I’ve missed my entire life.

“We didn’t pre-plan anything. It’s not like we have a secret book of code words. I’d love one, but your boyfriend is too cool for that shit. The only code I talk in is sexual.”

“Theequipmenthe’s referring to is whatever weapon he has?”

“Sure.” I feel Ryder shrug.

“Anddickis code for...”

“Him? All his body parts?” He smirks. I don’t smile back. “Not sure exactly. He’s bantering with me, which is good. There was no Leo and Rose moment.Tell her I love her one last time.”

“Leo and Rose?”

“Titanic. The door.”

I pull out of his embrace and chuckle. “Rose and Jack. And Nolan and I aren’t...”

“Leo. Jack. Same thing. And yeah, you two are. Minus the tragic ending.” He kisses the top of my head and stands. “I’ll make popcorn. You pick the movie. FYI, I won’t be offended if you pick porn.”

We watchHarry Potter,Ryder on one end of the couch, me on the other, and our legs stretched out next to each other. He scratches himself. I insult him like I would a brother. He flirts. I kick him. It’s nice.

We do more of the same on Monday, only he leaves me alone while I work from my laptop. I’m able to use his phone as a hotspot, and then we go for a walk after lunch. The evening is much like the previous night, only no texts from Nolan.

I keep a watchful eye anytime Ryder takes out his phone. He doesn’t get annoyed with me and shows me his screen. So far, other than work messages, it’s only been Trey and Drake who have texted him.

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