Page 35 of Undeniable Temptation

There was a knock at the door as he wove his arm around her waist, enjoying the connection no matter how platonic.

“I’ll get it.” Felicity made for the door.

“I’m not sharing my haul with any more people,” Hannah called.

Felicity snickered as she pulled the door wide, exposing Leah. The important parts of him responded, his lips curved into a smile, his chest thumped, and his dick slid from hibernation, too.

“Is Ryan…”

Her sweet question vanished under an expression of horror. Mason came into view at her side, the both of them focusing on the woman between his legs, then the white powder on the table.

“Oh, shit,” Mason whispered, stepping inside.

Shit was right.He’d never seen that look on Leah’s face before, the one pinning him with anguish. Hannah’s continuous laughter didn’t help either, or Felicity’s snort.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Leah backtracked, her gaze still darting between the misleading evidence before she fled from view.

“Damn it.” He grabbed Hannah’s hips and lifted her off his lap. Then he was jogging for the hall. “Wait.”

Mason’s hand slammed into his sternum, stopping him at the door. “Drugs, really?”

“No, dickhead. It’s sugar from a Pixie Stix. We were fooling around.” He shoved the hand away and continued after Leah. “Hold up.”

She was already half way down the hall, her legs pounding out the distance, her posture lethal. “Not now, Ryan.”

There was an edge to her tone. Not anger or frustration. It was something far worse, and he was the culprit.

She turned sharply and disappeared through a metal door—the stairwell entry. The heavy barrier closed between them by the time he got there and he shoved through to see her descending to the lower platform.

“You’ve got the wrong impression.” He tried to back it up with a chuckle but all it achieved was a narrowed scowl as she continued to descend the opposite staircase. “It wasn’t drugs. You know me better than that.”

She didn’t reply. Didn’t acknowledge his presence.

He jumped three stairs at a time, over and over, until he caught up to her at the lower landing. “Hear me out.” He slid in front of her, blocking her path to another staircase. “It wasn’t drugs. It was powered sugar.”

“Whatever you say.” She was shaking as her gaze met his—her arms, her legs, her beautiful lips.

“Whatever I say?” They’d been best friends for years. They’d shared everything. She’dbecomehis everything. And after months of ignoring him, she’d lost her trust, too? Something snapped inside him. He wasn’t sure if it was his mental stability or his patience, but he lost his shit in a blink of an eye. “Now you think I’m a liar?”

“I can’t be near you like this.” She held up her hands and made to walk around him.

He gave a harsh laugh. “That makes a great change from the disappearing act you’ve been playing for a week now.”

“I was giving you space,” she grated. “You didn’t want my help with this charade, remember? You kept shovingmeaway.”

“Because I didn’t want you seeing me with another woman.” Jesus, how could she not see that? After all this time, how could she have misinterpreted his intentions? “My life has been circling the god damn drain, but all I’ve needed is you. I had to get through it on my own.”

Her jaw ticked, his unmistakable Wonder Woman preparing for battle. “And if I had been there, I would’ve kicked your ass for all the shit you’re pulling.”

“And what shit is that?”

“You’re always late to rehearsals. The guys say you’re drinking all the time. You almost had a god damn three-way on the stage last night, and now this.” Her voice cracked and her responding wince hit him in the chest. “Everything is escalating. Soon you’ll go too far. Further than anyone can drag you back from.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He pulled his frustration into check and softened his voice. “I’ve been late two or three times and it’s always because of my lawyer. Julie has stalled negotiations and wants me back in New York for a face-to-face meeting. I’m doing my best to ignore her and let my legal team handle it.”

“Why?” Concern furrowed her brow. “What does she want?”

Apart from his soul? “I don’t know, and I don’t give a damn.” He grabbed the railing and gazed down. “And yes, I’ve been drinking more than usual.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, those gorgeous depths placing an invisible hold on him. “But life ain’t fun at the moment and I’m coping the best I can on my own.”

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