Page 15 of Undeniable Temptation

“See. It’s not so bad,” he murmured into her hair.

Not bad? Really? She held her breath to fight a groan. “Ryan, I need to get started on my workload.”

“Is my erection making you uncomfortable?”

What. The. Fuck?She pushed him, her eyes wide, her jaw practically scraping the floor while every nerve in her body sizzled as if she’d been burned.

“I’m joking.” He snickered. “Too soon?”

“Yes, too soon.” She shoved at his chest. “Waytoo soon.”

He continued to laugh, the delicious mirth contagious. “The look on your face…”

“This look?” She pointed to her flaming cheeks, trying to contain a smile. “This is the look of a woman who never forgets.”

“Believe me, I know.” His eyes turned somber. “But it was worth it to see you smile.”

“I’m not smiling.” She kept her lips thin, the edges lifting without her permission. “And just remember that next time you ask for a hug and I refuse.”

Christ.She’d never felt more delirious. With one brief embrace he’d short-circuited her brain, rewired her pulsing nerves, and slaughtered her professionalism. She was in meltdown, and unfortunately her body was loving the destruction.

“Noted.” He inclined his head and backtracked toward the door. “Next time I won’t ask.”

Chapter Three

Ryan disconnectedthe call to Alana and scanned the lobby. Mitch’s wife was going to meet him in the restaurant in fifteen minutes, just enough time to find Felicity and get inside that mind of hers.

“Looking for me?” The Slicker singer came up behind him, matching his lazy stride across the reception area.

“I sure was.” He shot her a friendly smile, faking comradery because he had a feeling she needed all the support she could get. “We might get some privacy if we do this in the dining area.”

“Sure—”

Her response was cut off by a high-pitched squeal that had him swinging around to face the culprit.

“Ryan Bennett?” A blonde in her late teens rushed toward them, her curly hair bobbing with each step. “Can I get a picture?Please? Oh, god, I can’t believe it’s you.” She was bouncing on her toes, her eyes wide, her cell clutched in her hand.

“No problem.” He gave the approaching security guard a dismissive look and swung his arm wide to let the woman sink against his side.

“I can take the photo if you like.” Felicity held out her hand for the phone.

“No.” This was a perfect opportunity, one that would ease them into the charade. “Why don’t you get in here with us?” He gave her a pointed look and reached for her with his free arm. “Have you heard of Flick from Slicker?” he asked the fan.

“No.” Her mouth gaped. “Are you famous, too?”

Felicity chuckled. “Not nearly as famous as this guy.”

Her palm pressed against his chest, the warmth a comforting feeling after months spent in emotional isolation. He smiled at the camera, the click encapsulating the first moment in this crazy new nightmare as Felicity’s softness leaned into him.

“Thank you.” The woman beamed him a look of awe. “My mom won’t believe this.” She squealed again. “Neither will my friends.”

“Make sure you tag us on Twitter and we’ll share it around, then they’ll have to believe it.”

“Oh, I will. I’ll do it now.”

He kept Felicity at his side with a firm hand as the other woman became engrossed in her cell.

“Nice to meet you,” he murmured in farewell and started for the restaurant.

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