Leslie was first to pick up.
“Hello? Where the hell have you been?” she asked, sounding exasperated and relieved at the same time. “You weren’t at work, and Sherry said something about going off for a week with some guy, and I know you weren’t planning to not tell your best friends about it!”
Janna laughed, wincing a little at Leslie’s exuberance. She couldn’t help but think she’d be a good match with Riley. Both seemed to have a little too much energy at times and too much fun interfering in other people’s lives. But she loved Leslie all the same.
“It’s Ryder.”
“Ryder Hart? Um, excuse me, but if you’re on a first-name basis with Ryder Hart, then I need details immediately. Not that I’m not supportive of you finally stepping out of Scott’s shadow, but come on, girl. Deets!”
“Give me a second to talk,” Janna said. “Ryder was thinking of sending down a Jeep to pick you and Kylie up to bring you to the lodge. I’m staying here right now.”
Leslie let out a wolf whistle. “Wow, when you step out of that prissy shell, you really—”
“We’re working on paperwork together. His father’s accountant really made a mess of things, and Ryder hired me for a week to sort it out with him.”
“Mm-hmm.” Leslie didn’t sound convinced. Janna knew she was probably right. But still, she had to try the less controversial story first. “As for the Jeep, sure, that’d be fun. Kylie was coming over tonight and we were going to make plans to stalk you, so I guess this works.”
“Stalk me, hm?” Janna teased. “Or were you simply hoping the mysterious man I was with was one of the brothers and you’d be able to chill with them too?”
“Pssh. Like you’d hold out on us. There’s three of them. Three. You’ve got the billionaire. Share the wealth.”
“I haven’t got anything. And you’re welcome to any of the men.” She fidgeted nervously as she said it. She wasn’t really sure that was true. If anyone else showed interest in Ryder…
“Sure, sure. I can tell from your voice something is up,” Leslie said. That was probably true. Leslie was uncannily good at reading people. Maybe it had something to do with being a bartender.
“Well, maybe,” she said, thinking of what had happened when they got to the cabin the other night. She felt hot from head to toe, and Leslie made a hissing noise.
“You screwed him, didn’t you? Janna, you naughty accountant!”
“Hey, accountants gotta have fun, too. After all, we don’t have exciting careers like you.”
“Ha! Listening to sad drunks and fending off tourist advances? Not that exciting.”
“So come up here and get you some excitement,” Janna said. “Bring Kylie. I totally need girl time.”
“Girl, if I had the chance to get any of those men alone, girl time is the last thing I would want.”
“Hm,” Janna replied.
“Trust,” Leslie said. “I’m just warning you. If I get an opening, I’m moving in. You don’t get men like that out here often. I mean, damn.”
Damn indeed. Janna couldn’t argue with the sentiment, given that just yesterday she’d thrown her cares to the wind and just gone with it.
“So… how was it?” Leslie asked after a pause. Janna could hear the smile in her voice.
“Hm, I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Yes, you damn well do! We all do! Now spill.”
“I can’t,” Janna said, twirling a piece of hair around her finger, kind of pleased to be the one with actual adventure to share. “He’s just outside.”
“Well, say it in code or something.”
“Code?”
“Something he won’t know what you’re saying,” Leslie spat out.
“Hm. Well, let’s just say he’s a big deal,” Janna said, trying to keep from laughing. “And he’s good at his job. And he’s a great… multitasker.”
“Girrrl…” Leslie muttered. “I’mma need more deets when I get there.” A knock sounded in the background. “That’s Kylie. I’m going to go tell her. When will the Jeep be here?”
“As soon as Ryder can send them. Do you want me to come down?”
“Nah, you can just be ready to greet us with a big entrance. And, Janna?”
“Yes?”
“Try and get the other boys there.”
She sighed. She supposed it wasn’t fair to hold out on them. They’d had so many girls’ nights dreaming and talking of men like this, and now she had an in. She’d just have to hope Ryder wouldn’t take it wrong. “All right, I’ll try.”
“You’re the best.”
“No, you are,” she told Leslie. Truly feeling like she didn’t know how she would have survived without the other woman. Leslie simply chuckled, blew a kiss into the phone, and hung up.
When Janna exited the office, Ryder was waiting.
“You get a hold of your friends?” he asked.
“Yes, they’re up for it.”
“Great, give me the address and I’ll send the Jeep. The driver’s already waiting outside.”
“Perfect,” she said, writing it down for him. He ran it outside and she enjoyed the look of his taut ass and long legs. Who knew smart guys could be so hot? She liked being with him, partly because he always seemed to have things under control. Always had a plan or was ready to come up with one. Always thinking one step ahead. It was such a relief after a man-child like Scott, who’d expected her to handle most things herself and whined when he didn’t get his way.
Watching Ryder walk back to her, swishing dark hair off his forehead and smiling, she felt her heart skip a beat, and for the first time, was almost a little glad that Scott had cheated on her.
Without him, she wouldn’t be here.
Or would she? A silly, romantic part of her felt maybe she and Ryder would have met otherwise.
She shook her head, stunned by her thoughts. Though she’d been smitten by Scott, she’d never had any thoughts about fate or destiny with him.
Was it simply that Ryder was a billionaire, rich and handsome, that was sweeping her off her feet? No, there had to be more. It was like the air was electric when their eyes met. His touch was unbelievably hot yet perfectly suited to her.
She was glad they wouldn’t be alone tonight. She didn’t know if she’d be able to keep her hands off his hard, muscled body. Not after everything he’d done for her today. And all of the sweet conversation they’d had.
No, company would be perfect.
She didn’t trust herself around Ryder Hart. She was too likely to make a fool of herself over him. He was everything she’d want in a man, if she could order it. Integrity, openness, control, protectiveness. She could easily fall in love with him.
“You okay? What do you think they’d like to eat for dinner?” he asked as he approached.
She fidgeted and then dropped her phone in her pocket. “I don’t know. Steak never goes wrong.”
“I was thinking more party food. What do you think about pizza? Fancy pizza, of course, because that’s what they have here. And drinks. And snacks.”
“That sounds great,” she said. “And can you invite your brothers?”
“Sure,” he said. “No problem.” He turned as if he were going to go call them and then stopped, hesitating. He gave her a slightly dark look, and she realized with astonishment that he was jealous of her asking for them to be there.
“No, no,” she said, waving her hands in front of her in a placating gesture. “Leslie and Kylie wanted them to be here.”
Relief washed over his handsome features and an adorable dimple appeared in his cheek. “That’s fine. I’m sure they don’t need any inducement to hang out with a couple of beautiful women.”
It was Janna’s turn to feel jealous, and she didn’t like Ryder calling her friends beautiful, even if they were.
“Don’t get me wrong,” he said. “Not as beautiful as you.”
She flushed and then laughed at being caught in the same position as him. “It’s all right
. Is it okay if I freshen up before dinner?” she asked.
“Sure,” he said. “Just stay close.”
“I was just going to go to the cabin. You gave me a set of keys, after all. And my stuff is there.”
His face tensed and a corner of his mouth turned down. “I’ll walk you over.”
“There’s no need…”
He seemed to sense that she wanted to go on her own, so he shrugged and followed her to the entrance closest to the path that led to the cabin. “All right, I’ll watch you from here.”
She prickled. “I’m really fine.”
“What about the bears?” he asked, and there seemed to be a hidden meaning there.
“Oh. I thought they’d be gone.”
“I’ll watch from here,” he said.
She looked at the stubborn tilt of his jaw and realized she wasn’t going to get her way with him, so she just stood on tiptoe to place a kiss gently on his jaw, which was lightly roughened with stubble. She breathed in his uniquely masculine scent and then stepped away. She didn’t miss the subtle, sharp intake of breath he’d made when she kissed him or the fire burning in his eyes as he watched her walk away.
She could see him in the glass behind her, watching her with eyes that were sharp and wanting.
Wanting something she wanted right back.
She stepped out into the cold, grateful for the evening air to cool her mind. A week with Ryder Hart? She was never going to make it that long without making a fool of herself or breaking her heart.
But she was going to try. She’d risked more for less. She grinned as she entered her cabin to get ready for the night.
Chapter 11
Ryder gulped in air, trying to get adequate breath as Janna walked into the lodge with her friends.
The three women all looked very different. Kylie was the shortest, with straight blond hair and a shy, pretty face with round eyes and small features. Leslie had big wavy curls in her dark hair, and her skin was a lighter brown than Janna’s. Her eyes, however, were black.
And then there was his future mate. She’d gelled her curls so they made tight little ringlets all over her head. Her full lips were glossed in deep pink, and her warm-brown eyes sparkled at him with amusement. And that was just above the neck. Should he dare to look below…
She was wearing a little black dress tonight. Sleeveless, under a coat. It draped over her magnificent breasts and hugged her soft hourglass waist with a belted tie before falling softly over those hips that he just wanted to take hold of and grab as he sucked her off.
Her curvy brown legs showed some deep, rich skin before disappearing into stylish black booties that covered her delicate feet up to the heel.
Damn. He just wanted to run over, shield her from everyone else’s view, pick her up, and run to the cabin. See those dark curls spread over his pillow, those full lips parted in pleasure.
She turned to laugh at something one of her friends said and the sound was magical. His heart tightened. The warmth around her was familiar somehow. He thought maybe it reminded him somewhat of his mother. How he and his brothers had loved that sound.
It had been a long time since he’d dared to love a woman like that. Allowed himself to love one so much that even her laugh felt like something to chase after, if only to hear it again and again.
If his mother could see him now, would she be proud of his choice in Janna? How he was treating her? She’d had a whirlwind romance of her own, and he wished she were around to ask how to go about it.
But there was something warm and feminine in his life again. And this time, she would be his mate. He would take care of her. His to protect, and he would.
He felt the stares of other men in the lodge, their hungry eyes raking the women from head to toe. Settling especially on Janna, who seemed to be more and more full of life the more time they spent together.
Damn, she was a light attracting moths. He wanted to hide her in his bedroom, but that was no way to treat a lady.
At least Ryder Hart knew that. Ryder Hart’s bear was still voting for a trip to the cave.
He walked forward, confident in the nice suit he’d picked for dinner, standing tall and letting the other men know who was alpha here. He reached out an arm for Janna to take, and the other women tittered in response. Janna blushed but put her hand softly on his bicep, and he fought the tightening feeling that always happened when she touched him.
Something told him they’d be back at the cabin tonight, making another “mistake.”
Janna introduced her friends as they walked. Kylie was the town florist and occasionally substitute taught at the local school. Leslie owned a bar in town and also was the go-to person for events. She was vivacious and sparkly and he couldn’t help being reminded of Riley.
He wasn’t sure these two should be in the same room together.
They asked him questions about business, what he was doing in town, and how his brothers were doing as they walked to the restaurant together. He’d rented out the private conference room for their little group date.
His brothers had grumbled. Not because they didn’t want to meet the women, but because Ryder had threatened them with death if they did anything ungentlemanly and upset the friends of his mate. They had agreed to be docile, but he knew that still meant no promises. They were bears. Alphas at that. The top of the shifter food chain and world famous to boot—Riley for his acting, Ryan for his snowboarding.
Kylie asked the most questions about Ryan. Ryder couldn’t answer a lot of them, mainly because Ryan was a fairly aloof, distant person, preferring to spend his time with the mountains and the outdoors. He’d taken to hanging out with the ski and snowboard instructor crew and had been testing the new park and complaining about the height of the rollers.
Ryder had tried to point out that most tourists weren’t trying to pull off inverted rotations, but Ryan hadn’t been swayed.
Ryan probably would end up building more on the park for his own purpose. Hopefully, no one would end up getting killed on it.
Riley and Ryan were waiting for them inside the room. The table was a little odd. It was sunken into the ground, a large, square hole surrounding it, and everyone was expected to sit on cushions on the edge that surrounded the table, their legs in front of them between the bench edge and the table. But it made for an intimate feeling between guests.
Riley was wearing a purple button-up that set off his lightly tanned skin and blondish-brown hair perfectly. He flashed his movie-star smile at the women, and Kylie froze. Leslie, however, walked right in. Riley’s hazel eyes widened slightly when Leslie sat directly across from him, but his easy smile came right back and Ryder doubted anyone but he or Ryan would have caught Riley’s momentary lack of ease.
Kylie surprised him by walking over and sitting next to Ryan, who was sitting in a tee shirt with one of his sponsor’s logos on it. Ryan never seemed to feel cold. The restaurant was properly heated, but at the same time, this wasn’t California.
Ryan’s toned arms extended out of his shirt, and he leaned back with a look of consternation as the little blonde plopped herself down right next to him. His panicked eyes flew to Ryder, and Ryder just shrugged. He wasn’t any better with women than Ryan was.
Ryan let Kylie introduce herself but kept his distance, eyeing her like he thought he might break her.
They were all big boys, at 6’7” or so, but they didn’t usually notice it when they were all together. But throw women into the equation, even tall ones like Leslie and Janna, and suddenly they felt like giants trying not to trample everything in their paths.
Throw in a little thing like Kylie, and it was enough to make any bear nervous.
But Janna was smooth and quick to make introductions. She sat next to him, thigh pressing against his and making his groin tighten painfully. Damn, the softness of that skin. Nothing was like that in the world.
Riley was on his other side, grinning knowingly. But Ryder doubted he knew his thoughts. His brot
hers knew him as a stiff, unrelenting person who always got his own way. They’d never know he was holding himself back, trying to win this woman even if it meant letting her take the reins.
On the other side of the table, Leslie was across from Riley, Kylie was next to her, and Ryan was on the other side, across from Janna. And checking her out.
Ryder stifled a low growl and gave his brother a hearty, quiet kick under the table. Ryan grunted and shifted his gaze, giving Ryder a nod of apology. It wasn’t his fault Janna was so beautiful, but Ryder meant to see that no one disrespected her while he was around.
And okay, a lot of it was jealousy too. He already saw her as his. He didn’t like anyone else looking. He tilted his head sideways to look at her and caught a full view of cleavage as she looked over her menu. How he wanted to caress the dark velvet of her skin. Taste her where he hadn’t yet gotten a chance to. Run his fingers over the tops of her plump breasts.
Then he realized someone had asked him a question. Damn!
“I said, do you do much skiing?” Leslie asked, resting her chin on her hand smugly, probably for having caught him staring at Janna like a man out of control.
“Not really,” he said. “I mean, for conferences or meet-ups sometimes, yes. In my free time, I prefer more…” He glanced at Janna. “Relaxing endeavors.”
Leslie’s grin widened and Janna blushed and discussed the menu with Kylie.
He wanted to keep Janna on her toes. Remind her he was here, even if they were in a room full of people. For him, there was only her. And he was a little jealous she could pay so much attention to the others. He knew it was a little childish, but then he was used to getting his way. And bears were known for being selfish creatures.
Out in the wild, they were basically the assholes of the woods. Mating promiscuously and leaving after. But when a bear spirit was mixed with a human one, there could be a tempering. The strength and fortitude of the bear that made him and his brothers so successful. But the goodness and integrity of what a man can choose to be. Good to women. Faithful to one mate. Happy that way.
He believed it could be that way at least.
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