His gaze drifted over to the blue sofa. If they had to spend the night, he was going to sleep in the same bed as Bianca. Was she going to be okay with that? And above all, could he stand lying so close to her without touching her?
Jenna’s blond bob popped into his mind. No, he wasn’t going to do anything. He was going to be a gentleman.
Tomorrow, however, once they got back, he had to take some action. He couldn’t continue dating Jenna if he had such thoughts about Bianca.
Not only that, he wouldn’t have a chance with Bianca if she stayed in Rocky Harbor. But maybe, if she accepted his business proposal and came on board with the Welles’, who knew?
Chapter 18
Bianca handed the pack of chips to Ryan. “Are you sure that Mr. Potatoes don’t perish? The date on the package is 2014.”
Ryan tore the sack open and sniffed at it. The smoked paprika flavor hit her nostrils. He reached inside and grabbed a handful. “It seems pretty edible to me. Those dates are often just made up, anyways. Plus, I’m starving. Aren’t you?”
Bianca’s brows lifted as she watched him stuff the crunchy pieces into his mouth.
Ryan was truly different than she had first imagined. She recalled how he sat in his silver car, elegantly dressed with his headset on. Now, stretched on the sofa in casual khaki pants and a white T-shirt, he didn’t look the part of the wealthy business mogul.
She shook her head. “Sometimes I wonder whether you’re as rich as everybody says you are. For a billionaire, you aren’t very picky with your food. Or your surroundings.”
Ryan winked. “I take it as a compliment. Most other folks in my economic situation are complete snobs. I actually try to avoid them as much as I can. Also, don’t forget. I wasn’t always rich. It isn’t something I was born into. I earned it the hard way.”
He pointed at his chest, then picked out some more chips and chewed on them with a grin on his face. “Mhmm, delicious.”
Bianca couldn’t suppress a giggle. Ryan was funny. In his own somehow weird way. She wondered whether Stefano was right. Could it be that Ryan was still a small-town person at heart?
No, she couldn’t take that for granted. Just because he fed on expired comfort food and enjoyed the outdoor adventure didn’t mean he wouldn’t put his company’s interest first. It was up to Bianca to ensure Ryan didn’t go and turn The Sapphire into a lousy chain restaurant.
Her heart fluttered as she watched Ryan’s muscular shoulders press against the sofa’s fabric. Why did he have to look so frigging sexy in a simple T-shirt? Couldn’t Stefano have picked some sleazy old banker to sell his restaurant to? One who didn’t make Bianca’s cells pound as if she were about to be launched to space in a skyrocket?
Ryan straightened his back and held out his palm to Bianca, offering her some chips. “Take some now, while you’ve got the chance. Otherwise, I’m gonna eat them up.”
“Fine, give me some.” She took the chips, but as her fingers brushed his skin, a thrill ran up her arm that almost made her drop the potato pieces.
She clenched her jaw and scolded herself. What was she doing? She could absolutely do all this. She just needed to keep focused on the main goal and avoid staring at or touching Ryan’s arms, shoulders, eyes…well Ryan. Period.
Yes, it was all going to be fine, if only her body—and especially her heart—cooperated.
Ryan studied her from under his lashes. “Are you okay with spending the night here? I don’t know how I forgot to check the weather forecast before we went gliding. It was an amateur error…” His gaze drifted to Bianca’s hair and his eyes lost focus. He shook his head and cleared his throat. “I really don’t know where my head has been.”
Bianca’s pulse picked up. Just like the first time Ryan mentioned having to stay for the night. “It’s not your fault. We’ll survive. What’s one night, right?” She tried to make a casual laugh, but the sound that came out of her throat sounded more like a confused snort.
To distract herself from the funny dance of her heartbeats and her last idiotic sentence, she stepped over to the sofa and sat down on it.
Huh, the cushioning was much softer than it looked. She caressed the velvet upholstery with her palms. Maybe it’d be more comfortable to sleep on than she’d assumed. A sudden thought occurred to her and heat curled up her spine. Was she going to share this bed with Ryan? Oh, my.
Ryan eyed her as if trying to read her. “If you want, I can sleep on the floor tonight.” His gaze wandered to the dusty pavement. “It doesn’t look that dirty.”
Bianca tensed, and her breathing hitched. No, she couldn’t expect him to do that. Even if she ignored the thin layer of filth that covered every inch of the house, there was only one blanket in the bathroom cupboard.
She swallowed. “No, it’s fine. We can share the sofa, I guess.”
Ryan wiped his forehead. “Phew, thanks. I wanted to behave chivalrously, but I’m glad I won’t be freezing my butt off.”
Bianca smiled. “Yeah, this place isn’t furnished like a hotel. We should probably be grateful the electricity works and that someone left that hairdryer. Otherwise we’d still be sitting in wet clothes.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow, and his voice deepened. “Oh, we wouldn’t want that, indeed.” The corners of his mouth turned up.
His velvety undertone made Bianca remember the dark glint he’d shot her while her shirt was still stuck to her like a second skin. And the memory of Ryan’s chiseled abs came back to her. She had managed to take a peek at them before he closed the bathroom door to begin drying his clothes.
A fire ignited in her veins. Ryan was by far the most attractive man she had ever spent the night with. Ah, what an idiot. She jiggled her foot and scolded herself inwardly. These were the types of thoughts that were going to get her in trouble.
She cleared her throat. “Let’s hope the sofa will be large enough for us both.”
She didn’t want to accidentally entangle her body with his.
“Sure, it will. If I misbehave, just push me back to my place.” A bemused smile still played on his lips, but his eyes had a more somber glint.
Okay, this was Bianca’s cue to change the subject. They were traveling to dangerous waters here. She was sure her heartbeat was already too loud as it was.
Ryan would eventually realize what an effect he had on her. And she couldn’t have that. Where would her professional credibility go?
She blurted out the first thing that came to her. “Aren’t you thirsty? These chips are so salty.”
Ryan hesitated for a second then stood up. He went to the bathroom and filled two plastic glasses with tap water then strolled back to Bianca. “I rinsed them before with soap. It’s as classy as we can get tonight.”
He gave Bianca one of the glasses and sat down. They clinked.
“Salute!” Ryan said.
Bianca’s eyes widened. “Tell me, do you actually speak Italian? Or did you only brush up your skill to dazzle my boss? You barely showed an accent when you greeted us at The Sapphire.”
A coy smirk tugged at Ryan’s lips. “I like to make the people around me feel special. In business, it’s a trick that many ignore. But such a simple gesture as greeting someone in their mother tongue can make or break a deal.”
Bianca stared down at her trembling fingers. Yes, Ryan did have a talent of making people feel special.
But she shouldn’t forget he was only doing it for his goals. “You must be right. Stefano was eating right out of your hands. He would’ve signed any papers on the spot.” She lifted her chin and blinked at him. “Why didn’t you just go for it then and there? Why did you agree to hear about our aspirations?”
Ryan’s face turned serious. “If I’m honest, I’m not sure. Probably your enthusiasm when you spoke of your future plans caught me off guard. It was refreshing and confusing at the same time.”
Bianca’s jaw dropped. “Confusing? How so?”
Ryan shrugged. “Most people I work with don’t have
that kind of passion for their job. In all of my acquisitions, I’ve never met a manager as dedicated to her restaurant’s success as you are.”
Bianca shifted an inch closer to Ryan without realizing. “Does this mean you’re leaning toward keeping The Sapphire intact after you purchase it? You won’t sell it off?”
Ryan looked away from Bianca. A muscle ticked underneath his left eye. He took a sip from his glass. “I can’t say that I didn’t consider that option.”
Bianca’s face lit up. They hadn’t spoken about The Sapphire the entire day. Maybe spending time together wasn’t such a terrible idea after all. Could Ryan be contemplating a solution that was more in line with her hopes?
Ryan held up his free hand. “But I’m not decided yet. However, there is one thing I want you to know. I—” He paused and leaned closer.
His unexpected closeness and the intensity of his masculine scent catapulted Bianca’s mind into haywire. She couldn’t process what was happening.
Was he going to kiss her? Her lips parted in anticipation.
However, Ryan only took the glass from her hand and placed it, together with his own, on the ground.
Shame choked her. Did he realize what she had just done? What she wanted? She straightened quickly and pressed her mouth into a line.
Just in time, because Ryan pivoted his torso to her. “As I said, I want you to know that whatever final agreement we come to, I’ll only propose a future for your restaurant that offers you the possibility to remain on board.”
Bianca gulped and jerked her head back. Had she heard correctly? Was he promising her secure employment even after the transaction was completed? “But why?” she mumbled.
Ryan didn’t answer. He just stared at her for a moment. A shadow passed his eyes and his lips twitched. When he spoke, his voice was rougher than before. “I think you’re talented and could be a real asset to any future owner, be it me or someone I sell the property to.”
Bianca’s heart dropped. What kind of answer was she hoping for?
The disappointment spreading to her limbs told her that they were along more romantic lines. Was she out of her mind? Why wasn’t her thick skull registering the fact that she and Ryan O’Connor were from different universes?
Yes, sitting in this wooden hut in the middle of the storm and sharing a pack of potato chips might make her believe their lives could blend and even flourish together. But in reality, this wasn’t the case.
She plastered on a smile. “It’s very generous of you. Thank you.” She jumped up and picked up the glasses from the floor. “I better take these before we knock them over.”
She carried them to the table and set them down. She didn’t turn when she called out, “Shall we get ready to sleep? It’s dark outside. I imagine you’ll want to get back early in the morning. If the hike is as challenging as you’ve described, I’ll need my rest before attempting it.”
A creak behind her told her that Ryan had stood up, too. “Sure, I’ll open the sofa. Do you want to get the blanket from the bathroom?”
Bianca hurried to the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She switched on the loose light bulb jittering above the half broken mirror and the small sink. She gaped at her reflection.
She could do this. She could sleep beside Ryan and not feel tempted to reach out and caress his skin or inhale his masculine scent.
For better or worse, Ryan was offering her the chance to stay on board with The Sapphire. That was huge. She had to appreciate this fact and ignore the lump that rose in her throat.
She couldn’t fall for Ryan O’Connor. She just couldn’t.
Bianca splashed her face and wrists with cold water then stepped over to the cupboard. She pulled open the slider and fetched the checkered blanket, a sheet, and a pillow.
It was all they had. They were going to need to share. Snuggling underneath one with him would be unbearable.
Luckily the temperature hadn’t dropped at all through the storm. If anything, it had made the atmosphere more sultry. Maybe she should offer him the blanket and sleep without it.
She glanced at herself one last time in the mirror and nodded. Yes, I’ve got this.
Chapter 19
Ryan sat on the bed and waited for Bianca to emerge from the bathroom. He rubbed his neck to ease the tension building up for the past hour.
The distraction-free surroundings of the hut made his growing emotions toward Bianca even more obvious. It seemed that each tiny movement of hers pulled a string in Ryan’s body, teasing it and filling it with never felt yearnings.
Why did he desire this woman so badly? What was it about her that made his insides thump with the craving to hold her and protect her?
He had to think of a way to convince Bianca to accept his business proposition. If she worked for the Welles’, she could move away from Rocky Harbor and be closer to him.
His eyes drifted over to the two plastic glasses on the table. He could invite her to elegant dinners, and show her why having the kind of money he had was a good thing.
Would she want that? Was she interested in him in the way he was in her?
He leaned back on the sofa. Only one way to find out. But first, he needed to speak with Jenna. Clear things up.
The bathroom door opened and Bianca appeared.
Ryan’s heart slammed at the sight of her. She stood there clutching a cushion with one hand and a blanket with the other. A timid expression played on her face. “May I?”
Was she afraid to join him in the bed?
He patted the empty spot beside him. “Come, I won’t bite. I promise.”
His voice was way more husky than he’d intended, darn it.
He stretched his arms and feigned a yawn. Maybe she would interpret his unusual tone as a sign of tiredness?
Bianca gave him a weak smile and switched off the lamp. The room became dark, but due to the lack of curtains, the moonlight provided enough light to see the contours of everything.
Bianca tiptoed to the bed and sat. She handed him the cushion and blanket. “Take these. I can sleep without them. Good night.”
Ryan’s jaw went slack and he wanted to shoot back a question, but Bianca had already laid down, turning her back to him.
She pulled herself to the edge of the bed, as if trying to stay as far from him as possible.
“Good night,” he whispered.
A bitter taste filled Ryan’s mouth. Maybe all his plans were in vain. Bianca didn’t seem interested in him. He must have misinterpreted her glances earlier. He sighed and put the cushion underneath his head. He threw the blanket over his legs.
As he lay on his back, he listened to Bianca’s breathing. It was irregular and hitching. She wasn’t asleep yet. Should he say something to her?
Her body shivered.
Ryan lifted himself to his elbow and brushed his fingers against her arm. It was covered in goose bumps; he could feel it. He gently grasped Bianca’s elbow and pulled her toward him.
Bianca flinched and rolled her head to look at him. Her large eyes sparkled in the moonlight like two diamonds. “What are you doing?”
“You’re cold.” Ryan pointed at her arm. Then without waiting for her answer, he lifted the blanket and covered Bianca with it. It wasn’t very large, so he had to shift closer in order to fit underneath it too.
Bianca didn’t protest but snuggled into a curled-up position, this time with her face to him. “Thanks.”
Her immediate closeness took his breath away. It was so intimate lying side by side with her. How could it feel so right?
Bianca’s voice startled him. “You don’t have any siblings, then?”
Ryan shook his head. “No, it’s just me and my dad. I have an aunt living in Texas—my mother’s sister—but we barely see each other. She never married and doesn’t have kids. And you? You said you’ve got a brother. That’s it?”
“Technically, yes. But I also have three cousins, and we grew up in the same household. They’re practically like
my brother and sisters.” Bianca’s tone grew warm as she spoke of her family.
Five kids. That explained why Bianca seemed so easygoing and open. It must have been nice to have such a large family. Ryan’s parents had tried for another child, but it never happened.
He remembered what Bianca’d said earlier. “How did your father manage it on his own? You said your mother left you.”
Bianca stilled. She only answered after a second. “Yes, I was eight when she walked out on us. Matteo was eleven. But my aunt helped Dad a lot and then he found Concetta, our nanny. She’s worked for us ever since Mom left.”
Ryan’s flesh prickled. How can a mother do that to her children? Disappear like that? His own mother had fought bravely till the very last moment, and she had always focused on what she thought was best for Ryan. Even when it meant risking her own survival.
“Do you have any contact with her? Your mother, I mean?” he asked.
Bianca sighed. “No, I haven’t seen or spoken to her since her departure.”
Ryan lifted his head closer to Bianca. “Do you know why she left? It’s a cruel thing for a mother to do, don’t you think?”
“I’ve often asked myself this question.” She shook her head. “But it’s pointless. My mother had to have her reasons. Dad said they were unhappy. People do stupid things when they are.”
Ryan listened to Bianca’s calm voice. She didn’t seem to harbor hard feelings for her mother. Even if she had abandoned Bianca. His stomach grew warmer. Bianca was perhaps the kindest, most genuine person he’d met in a long time.
And she smelled divine.
He drew in a deep breath, and her rich bouquet of fresh flowers after the rain—maybe lilies or peonies—tickled his nostrils. Longing coursed through him, and he tensed his back to keep his arms from reaching out to her.
He swallowed, hoping to keep his voice more even. “It’s very noble of you. You never tried to contact her growing up?”
Gambling With The Billionaire (Gems 0f Love Book 2) Page 9