Page 63 of Undeniable Temptation

“It was definitely a missed opportunity.” Sean pulled the fridge door wider, sliding an arm past Mitch to grab a beer.

“I lost my cool,” he admitted. “It shouldn’t have happened.”

“I hate to break it to you, bro, but you’ve never been cool.” Mitch pulled two drinks from the fridge and closed the door with a nudge of his elbow.

More jokes. More laughter. Ryan supposed he should be thankful for the lack of accountability. He probably would’ve been if it didn’t increase his guilt.

He dragged his feet to the storage cupboard, shoved his bag inside, and came back to take the beer from Mitch’s outstretched arm. “Thanks.” He twisted the top and took a long pull, his gaze straying to the beauty making her way up the bus stairs.

Sean temporarily blocked his view as he passed, making it impossible to anticipate what mood she was in. “I’ll be out back with Mace if you guys need me.”

Ryan nodded and cocked a hip against the bunks as Leah made her way toward him, her overnight bag on one shoulder, her handbag over the other. She wasn’t smiling, wasn’t glaring either.

“Do you still want me here?” her voice was soft, but it didn’t offer them privacy, not when Blake and Mitch were sitting around the booth seat in silence and he was yet to hear the television turn on at the back of the bus.

“The answer to that will always be yes.” He pretended they didn’t have an audience, that his words were only heard by her.

She nodded. “Where do you want me to put my bags?”

“Anywhere. There’s room in the storage cupboard if you want me to stack them.”

“Let me get a change of clothes first. I need to have a quick shower before we get on the road.” She lowered her bag to the floor and riffled through the contents, coming out with nightwear and a small beauty bag. “That should be all I need.” She straightened, her belongings clutched to her chest.

Lucky her. His needs were far more extravagant. The post-show adrenaline demanded action. What action, he wasn’t entirely sure. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Forgive me for losing my mind?”

Her breathy chuckle brushed his lips. “Don’t worry, I think mine is equally lost.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Her gaze lowered. “You being shirtless doesn’t help.”

“I’m happy for you to even the score.”

Her laughter did crazy things to him. He wanted to sink into the sound. To bottle it and keep it with him forever.

“You don’t think the guys would mind?”

“I wouldn’t protest,” Sean called out.

Her lips quirked. “We have absolutely no privacy here.”

“Not an ounce,” Blake confirmed.

She rolled her eyes and stepped back. “I’m going to have a shower.”

Ryan extended his arm with her movement, not releasing his hold. “Need any help?”

“No.” She reached for his beer and took a sip, the liquid moistening her lips. “But I’d love if you had a drink waiting for me once I get out.”

“Can do.” He dropped his hand, already hating the distance, and strode for the front of the bus. It was going to be a long night if he couldn’t 007 some private time. There was no way Leah would be sleeping in a different bunk, but what they did in that bunk, while surrounded by eavesdroppers, was another question.

“We all set for Kansas City?” Pat climbed aboard and sank into the driver’s seat. “Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

“Yeah.” Ryan slid into the booth beside Blake. “Just try and take the turns easy. Leah’s about to have a shower.”

“Leah?” Pat glanced over his shoulder. “Shit. I guess I’ve gotta stick to the speed limit now.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,” she called from the bathroom.

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