Page 11 of The Love Bargain

I feel his nervous energy vibrating in the air between us. He moves closer until our legs touch, and his full lips curl into a slight smile. “A date. With me.”

“But…” My hand flutters to the center of my chest.

A date with Ryland would be my dream come true, but it could never happen. My eyes dart around nervously, and I lick my lips. My mouth is suddenly so dry.

“We can’t.” My hoarse voice cracks, the sound barely a whisper.

Ryland shakes his head and chuckles, his deep voice contradicting me when he replies, “There’s no such thing as can’t.”

Tingles run up my spine, but I feel so uncomfortable like I’m potentially risking too much. But I remind myself it’s Ryland, and he would never do anything to mess up what we have.

Never. Even if our conversation is flirtatious, I’m aware this is as far as it will go.

“What if it doesn’t work out? Will it affect our friendship?” I sit back in my seat.

“Sabine, I’d never do anything to jeopardize what we have. You and Zane mean too much to me,” he says.

It’s like he’s reading my mind, but is he talking about our friendship or something more?

“Okay, that’s a relief because I don’t want that either.” Money aside, I imagine the guilt I’d feel forever if something I did cost my brother his best friend.

Ryland’s watching my mouth move with a knowing look on his face. No one else can hold a stare like Ryland.

He smirks like he’s hiding a secret, and I realize he’s messing with me. He’s using the date as a threat so I do a good job.

I smile into my glass of wine, feeling as nervous and giddy as a teenager before pushing to my feet.

“Deal.” I thrust my hand out, and we shake on it.

Before I can pull back, Ryland brings my hand to his lips, kissing it gently, and my hand trembles. I’m close enough to feel the warmth radiating from his body while my own heart is beating against my chest.

The warmth of his lips sends a wave of emotions crashing through me. I’m lost in the moment, completely taken in by the tenderness of his touch.

Stunned, I stare into his eyes, not wanting the moment to end. We look at each other for what feels like an eternity, neither of us saying a word, until, finally, he breaks the silence.

“You don’t have to worry about your business succeeding. I have faith that you’ll make it work,” he says sincerely.

My heart flutters. “Thank you,” I say softly. Now it’s up to me to uphold my end of the bargain.

He leans in closer, capturing my gaze. “I believe in you, Bean, and I’ll do everything I can to help.”

The way he looks at me, with such tenderness and love, takes my breath away. I don’t understand what’s happening, but I trust him.

Ryland

All throughout dinner, I can’t stop myself from thinking a million inappropriate sexual thoughts. My body heats up, and my mouth goes dry as I sit across the table from Sabine. My mind races as I imagine her wearing lacy, pale pink panties…and all the ways I’d peel them off her with my teeth.

Now that I’ve made a bargain with Sabine, the guilt I’ve stuffed down deep in my gut breaks through to the surface of my mind.

I’m not being honest with my best friend. What would happen if I told him how I feel about his sister? Would he believe me and understand my feelings are real? Would he accept me or fight? Fuck.

The thought prods at me like a thorn in my side, reminding me I’m crossing lines with my best friend’s sister.

Although Zane’s out of town for work, he’ll return, and the short time we have to get to know each other won’t last. The clock is ticking, and it’s counting down to midnight.

After dinner, I drive her home and walk her to the door. We stand outside on the porch, and my eyes roam her face. The moment stretches for what feels like forever.

I can’t tear my eyes away and wonder if she feels the electricity bouncing between us.

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