Page 99 of Seduction in Spades

Which there are plenty of. Deep down inside, I know he and Nora are right. I need to talk about my anxiety, my worries, my fears, or I’ll never have a real relationship with any man. No, notanyman.

The only one I want in my life is Nolan.

***

Saturday is freakingmiserable. When I snap at Nora for being too perky after our hike, I know I need to step back. I excuse myself to the master suite and soak in a hot tub. Later, dinner is tense and quiet. Drake calls to check in with Trey, and Nora excuses herself to talk with him in private.

I’m left alone with my brother, who is extra surly tonight. I help him pack up the leftover Chinese takeout and pour myself a glass of wine.

“You gonna tell me what Drake had to say?”

“Work stuff.”

“Bullshit.”

Trey doesn’t even flinch at my tone. He takes a sip from his beer. “He hasn’t heard anything.”

Panic bubbles in my chest. “Was Nolan supposed to check in?”

“He didn’t say.”

“Trey—”

“He didn’t say, Avery. You’re to stay here until he checks back in.”

I close my eyes and slump in the closest barstool. “I can’t stay cooped up forever.”

“We’re following orders.” Trey leaves me alone in the kitchen with my barely touched glass of wine.

I wake up Sunday afternoon to the smell of brown sugar and maple syrup. It’s definitely not Trey’s cooking or the smoke detectors would be going off. Nora must be at it. I get dressed, brush my teeth, and am looping my hair in a messy bun as I round the corner to the kitchen.

Instead of seeing Nora at the stove, it’s Ryder.

“What are you doing here?”

“Morning, sunshine.” He gives me a wink before sliding a cup of coffee down the center island toward me.

“Where’s Trey?”

“Don’t tell me you’d rather see that surly face first thing in the morning over this.” He circles his finger around his face and flashes me a smile.

I can’t help the tug on my lips. “There’s no competition.” I take a sip of my coffee and moan.

“Music to my...” Ryder glances down at his crotch before giving me a sly wink. “I’ll let you fill in the blank.”

“Such the charmer you are.”

“One of the four of us has to be.”

I’m about to tell him Nolan’s a charmer, only his compliments and touches are more sincere, while Ryder’s are all fun and flirty. Or at least, that’s how they are with me.

“Are Trey and Nora up yet?”

“Up and gone.” He piles a plate with french toast and sets it down in the middle of the kitchen table.

“Gone?”

“Had to get back to work.” He takes a bowl of warmed maple syrup out of the microwave and sets it next to the french toast, followed by a mound of bacon and a bowl of light and fluffy scrambled eggs. Ryder sprinkles the top with scallions and points at the seat at the head of the table. “Dig in before it gets cold. I hate cold eggs.”

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