Page 22 of Undeniable Temptation

“Stay close.” He cradled the back of her head, letting his fingers slide through her hair as he nuzzled her cheek. Her breasts were against his chest, her crotch right where any hot-blooded man would want it. But he wasn’t hot-blooded. He was cold. Made of ice. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. We both knew this wouldn’t be easy.” She exhaled a breath and pulled back. “Are you still in love with your wife?”

He could’ve scoffed, or laughed, or set her straight with innumerable words to paint a vivid picture of his loveless marriage. Instead he nodded. Because nodding was easier than admitting the truth.

“I thought so.” She slid onto the couch beside him, her legs now draped over his. “Do you have kids?”

“No.” He shook his head. “But I wanted them.” Badly.

Her eyes were kind, the pity soul deep. “If it’s any consolation, I think the vultures enjoyed the show. Men are smirking like they witnessed a lap dance.”

“Perception is everything.” He finished the remainder of his scotch and placed a firm hand around her knees while he rested the glass on the table. He couldn’t take much more of this. Months of waiting for the right time and right place had taken its toll. Maybe it was time to start thinking realistically—with his head, instead of the heart that had already steered him wrong once before.

It wasn’t like Leah was swan-diving for the chance to risk her job to be with him. Sucking face with Felicity and praying a spark would miraculously ignite might be exactly what he needed. He just didn’t need it here, in the open, with assholes taking notes. “Should we leave?”

“Yeah… But first.” She leaned in, her lips briefly kissing his cheek. “Even though tonight didn’t go to plan, thank you for being the lone gentleman in a sea of assholes. You’re a great guy.”

Everyone kept telling him that. He was a gentleman. He was kind. He was nice. Yet, for all his so-called awesomeness, he was in his 30s, single, and playing chicken with his reputation. It wasn’t a winning combination from his perspective.

“I’m sure things will work out for you in the end.” She slid her legs from his lap and pulled out her phone. “Do you know the cab company’s number?”

“Don’t even think about it.” He gave her an incredulous look. “You’re not catching a cab by yourself at this hour. You can crash in my bed and I’ll take the sofa.”

“Can’t bring yourself to kiss me, but still expect me in your bed? The man’s got game.” She chuckled and glanced down at her phone. Her face slowly morphed, from happiness to confusion.

“What’s wrong?”

Her gaze snapped to the empty entrance of the bar. “Umm.” Her focus flew back to her cell screen, her fingers rapidly typing. “I… um…” She glanced back at the door. “Hannah is here.”

“Hannah?” He frowned through the lack of recognition. “You’ll need to be more specific.”

“My bass guitarist.”

He remained clueless until a leggy brunette strode toward them from the entrance of the bar, her form-hugging dress worthy of a New York runway. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, her lips dark red and dragging the attention of men and women alike.

“Great,” Felicity muttered. “She’s drunk.”

Ryan scrutinized the guitarist, only gaining a faint hint of intoxication from the barely visible wobble in her step. “Don’t worry. You’re supposed to stay wasted on your first tour.” Reckless had. He’d partied hard and drank even harder. At least until Julie found out and reined him in.

“She’s not drinking for fun. She’s drowning her sorrows in liquor again.” She stood and greeted her bandmate with an arm around the woman’s waist. “What are you doing here?”

“Ending my search to find you.” Coffee eyes met his. “Apart from a few words in passing, we haven’t formally met.”

He shook her offered hand and then indicated the free space on the booth seat. “Are you joining us?”

“No.” Felicity spoke to Hannah. “We talked about this. You shouldn’t be here.”

“We talked, but we didn’t agree. In fact, I’m pretty sure I argued the hell out of this stupid stunt that puts you in the limelight while the rest of Slicker sits in the dark.”

“Shh.” Felicity’s panicked gaze cut to him. “We really need to leave.”

“Sure.” He shrugged and stood. “Are you still coming back to my room?”

“Your room?” Hannah’s lips parted as she sized him up. “Am I cock blocking?” She switched back to Felicity. “You were about to leave with him?”

“I offered to sleep on the sofa so Flick could get the bed. I didn’t want her traveling to the bus on her own.” And now he didn’t want the two of them leaving together because a drunk beauty in a gorgeous dress like that was bound to draw unwanted attention.

“And you were going to take him up on his offer, weren’t you?” She ignored him. “You should tell Scott. He’d be proud of his little puppet.”

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