Ari plugged in the blender then opened the freezer and grabbed a handful of ice. She dropped the cubes into the mixer then pulled open the refrigerator. Ari groaned when the landline began to ring. She reached for the margarita mix then snatched up the old-fashioned handset. “Hello, Jay.”
“Hey, how’d you know it was me?”
Ari twisted the lid off the lime concoction and poured a substantial amount of it into the blender. “Because you’re the only one who calls on this line.” She placed the drink mix on the countertop and went back into the freezer for the chilled vodka.
“Ah. How are you?”
“I’m working and staying out of trouble.” Ari unscrewed the cap on the frosty bottle and poured the liquor into the blender without measuring. “Isn’t that what you want to hear?”
“Come on, Ari…being at The Cove can’t be that bad.”
“The Cove is boring. Hang on a sec.” Ari put the lid on the blender then turned it on. She pulsed the mixture until it was the consistency she wanted then shut off the machine. “There?”
“Unfortunately.”
Ari grinned. “How are the wedding plans going?” She balanced the phone on her shoulder as she took a margarita glass out of the cabinet.
“Don’t get me started on that topic.” Jay chuckled. “I knew we weren’t going to get a simple, quiet wedding…but damn.”
Ari smiled as she poured the icy drink into her glass. “Nothing about Shannon is simple or quiet. You knew that.”
“I did and, truth be told, it’s what I love about her.”
“Is Shannon turning into a bridezilla before your eyes?”
Jay snorted. “Not yet. She’s trying not to stress over the wedding or her mother, who keeps adding to the guest list.”
“Uh oh.”
“Yeah. It’s crazy, but at least we’ve finally decided on a venue for the reception.”
“Where’s the wedding going to be held?” Ari sipped her margarita, savoring the zing of lime and alcohol on her tongue.
“Catalina Island.”
“Ooo…nice.”
“Expensive.”
Ari chuckled. “You’ve got the cash and so does Shannon.”
“Speaking of cash…are you saving what you earn rather than spending it all on clothes?”
“You’ll be pleased to know I haven’t bought a thing since I got here.”
“Really?” Jay whistled. “Okay, now I’m worried.”
“Hey, I have some self-control.” Ari frowned when her brother laughed. “What? I do.” She took another generous swig from her glass, thinking about the real reason she hadn’t been shopping.
“Ari, you can barely go two days without spending money. What’s changed?”
Ari swallowed the melting ice on her tongue. “Maybe I have.” She sighed when her brother snorted. “Don’t you have a fiancée to dote on and a wedding menu to craft?”
“Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you later, Ari.”
Ari hung up the phone with a weary groan as she refilled her glass. She wasn’t upset. She was frustrated. Jay was right. She loved to shop, and not being able to the past few weeks had been difficult, but she was on a serious budget. There was no extra cash for heels or pretty dresses now, especially without having unlimited access to Jay’s bank card. Ari was determined not to ask her brother for any more financial support. She wanted to prove to him and to herself that she could sustain her lifestyle on her own.
“Like I need another pair of shoes anyway.” Ari slammed her drink on the counter, annoyed by how much she desired a new pair of stilettos. She poured more of the slushy margarita drink and exited the kitchen.
After opening all of the windows in the living room, Ari padded into the bedroom. She set her glass on top of a stack of celebrity magazines and stripped out of her silver sequined dress. The breeze moving through the ranch was lovely but it was still muggy. Ari preferred natural air over the air conditioning. Deciding to sit on the porch to cool off with her margarita, Ari pulled open a drawer and reached for her favorite white baby-doll style tankini. She stripped, donned the suit then turned to assess her appearance in the mirror.
The material appeared almost sheer in direct light but Ari wasn’t concerned about that at this time of day. She twirled in the mirror, pleased with the way the swimwear accentuated her curves. Her breasts looked bigger, thanks to the halter design at the top of the bathing suit. Ari wriggled her hips with a delighted giggle, wondering why she’d ever hesitated wearing the suit down to the beach. No one would bat an eye at what she had on, not with so many other women sporting the skimpiest bathing suits ever.
Ari pulled her long twists back into a low ponytail and secured them with a band, feeling instantly cooler. She grabbed her drink, took a sip and headed out of the bedroom. Ari flicked on the ceiling fan in the living room then went to the front door, ready to lounge on the comfy lawn furniture out on the porch.
Humming another love ballad, Ari pulled open the door. She yelped when she saw Ryder poised to knock. “Ryder!” Ari froze as conflicting arcs of excitement and apprehension raced up her spine.
She stared at Ryder, conscious of his gaze flitting over her as she drank in the sexy sight of him in dark jeans and a light purple T-shirt. Her heart thumped against her chest as familiar zings of awareness rendered her speechless.
“Hello, Ari.”
The deep timbre of his voice made her pulse react. How had she ever doubted how much she’d missed Ryder? Ari willed herself to speak. “Y-you’re here.”
Ari wet her bottom lip, remembering the white-hot passion of his kisses. She tightened her hold on her drink, once again stunned by how her body reacted in his presence. He was the only man to have such an intense effect on her and it both infuriated and aroused her further.
Ryder’s slow grin made Ari weak in the knees. “I am.”
Ari attempted to swallow the enormous lump in her throat, wishing she had of come up with something more savvier to say other than state the obvious, but under the circumstances it was the best she could muster. Intense longing she’d been trying to ignore for weeks made Ari wish things had gone differently in Vegas.
Has Ryder thought of me at all since then?
That question taunted Ari, along with the one that had kept her awake many nights. Has he forgiven me?
Chapter Two
“I just got in.” Ryder watched Ari take a sip from her glass.
“The rumor around here was that you were getting in tomorrow.”
“Change of plans at the last minute.” Ryder grinned as Ari nodded.
He knew her well enough to know he’d surprised her, but she’d regained her composure within seconds. For a brief moment, he’d thought she might rush into his arms. He would’ve enjoyed such a welcoming, especially after how tense their last encounter had been.
“Easy flight?”
“Easy enough.”
Their polite chit chat and the cool wall Ari seemed hell bent on keeping between them set Ryder on edge. In Vegas, they’d been able to talk about anything and everything. Things had changed, but Ryder didn’t care if Ari was no longer gambling. As long as she was safe, she could resent him all she wanted. He’d done what he could to help her make the necessary changes to get her life together.
Ryder gestured at Ari’s suit. “Going for a swim?”
“No. I was hot.”
Her innocent comment conjured up several naughty responses in Ryder’s head. God, how he’d missed those lips. He wanted to crush those soft, deliciously feminine curves that had haunted his dreams for the past few weeks against him. Ari had made it very clear she wasn’t interested in anything other than sex and his money after what had gone down in Vegas. Ryder had no intentions of further blurring the lines between them by mixing business with pleasure.
“I decided to come out here and enjoy my margarita.” Ari lifted her glass. “Would you like one?”
> “Please.” Ryder followed her back into the stuffy beach house, wishing he were in swim trunks. “Is the air conditioner not working?”
“It’s working fine.” Ari moved into the kitchen. She set her half-empty glass on the countertop and Ryder noticed the sheerness of her swimsuit in the light. “I like natural air unless it’s sweltering hot and humid.”
“Ari, it’s hot as hell in here.” Ryder leaned against the door as Ari emptied the margarita mix into the blender.
“It’s not that bad.” Ari glanced at him before bending over and opening the freezer. “Besides, you won’t mind the heat once you have your drink.”
Ryder’s cock stiffened as he watched Ari grab some ice. His gaze moved over her legs up to the delectable roundness of her ass. Flashbacks of her, naked and breathless in Sin City, sent more blood surging to Ryder’s dick. He adjusted his hard-on as Ari turned on the blender and he noticed the Taser on the counter. He walked over and picked it up. “Are you concerned about your safety here?”
“What?” Ari turned off the blender and glanced at the weapon. “Oh, that. Am I concerned? No.”
Ryder frowned, thinking of the gambling thugs that would love to teach him and Ari a lesson for getting the cops involved in Sin City. “Has anyone around here made you feel unsafe?”
“No.” Ari sighed. “I just feel better having one.”
“I’m glad you have one too.”
“I never want to be unprepared or unable to handle myself again.” Ari poured the icy drink into another glass tumbler. “Don’t worry. I don’t plan on getting into anymore situations like that one in Vegas.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Ari turned and offered Ryder the margarita. “Here you go.”
Ryder caught sight of her hard, dark nipples pressed against the white fabric of her outfit and realized it would be more difficult than he’d anticipated to resist touching her. “Thank you, Ari.” Ryder took his drink from her, noting Ari’s intake of breath when his fingers brushed hers. It pleased him to know his touch still affected her.
“You’re welcome.”
Ryder took a sip then nodded. “It’s good.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Let’s go back on the porch. It’s at least five degrees cooler out there.”
Ari gave him a wry look. “Fine.”
Ryder turned and headed for the terrace, aware of Ari walking behind him. He held open the screen door, letting her pass before joining her outside. Ryder sat in one of the wicker chairs facing the beach, enjoying his margarita and the balmy breeze washing over the pretty patio, which was subtly illuminated by light coming from the kitchen window. He glanced at Ari, still standing by the front door, when she sighed. “What is it, Ari?”
“I hate small talk. I know you do. So what’s up?” Ari placed her glass on the rail next to her then leaned against it. “What did you come here to tell me?”
Ryder sat back in his chair. “You’re right. I don’t like small talk.” He paused a beat, holding back from adding especially with you. “I also don’t like being lied to.” His words came out sharper than he’d wanted, frustration and desire fueling his fervor.
Ari’s eyes widened. “W-What are you talking about?”
“I got here in time to see the last ten minutes of your set, only you weren’t up on stage performing.” Ryder set his drink on the deck before rising.
“Really, Ryder?” Ari scoffed as she crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “I stopped eight minutes early, not ten.”
“I don’t care if it was two minutes. We had a deal, Ari.” Ryder stepped in front of Ari when she averted her face. “I know you didn’t want to come to The Cove, but you agreed that working here was the best way to pay back the money I loaned you in Vegas. Is it really that difficult to show up for practice on time and sing your full set when it’s your night to entertain the guests?”
“Who told you I wasn’t? Liza?” Ari shook her head. “No. Probably Ben when he wasn’t falling asleep at the keys.”
“This has nothing to do with either one of them.” Ryder ignored the fire in Ari’s eyes as she looked at him, frustrated by her careless tone. “Ben happens to be a dear friend of mine. He may not be the gutsiest piano player, but he can get the job done if you do yours as I expect you to. One year, Ari. You agreed to perform here for that length of time, after which I would consider your fifty thousand dollar loan paid in full. Missed practices, shortened sets? Well, surely you can see how that doesn’t add up to the arrangement we discussed. So, I want to know… Have you changed your mind? Do you have another way to pay off your debt?”
The tears glistening in Ari’s brown eyes almost made Ryder regret his stern tone, but she needed to know he wouldn’t put up with her lackadaisical attitude. She was used to men being swayed by her beauty and charm. Ryder imagined she enjoyed bending guys to her will. Hell, hadn’t he been swayed by giving her the cash to get out of the fucked jam she’d gotten him, her brother and Shannon involved with? He still didn’t think Ari appreciated how dangerous that situation had been. “Ari?”
Ari lifted her chin as she blinked back the tears threatening to fall. “I won’t miss any more practices or shorten my sets. Satisfied?” She straightened her spine, embarrassed by Ryder’s sharp reprimand and the guilt accompanying it. He was so distant, so business-like with her—which she probably deserved after everything that had happened.
“I’m hardly satisfied. I wish I could say I believe you’ll do as you say.”
“Dammit, Ryder. I will. Okay? You’ll see.”
She was unsure which hurt worse…his cool behavior or his curt words. Both were such a sharp departure from how he’d been with her before. Ari wanted him to touch her. She longed to see the heated look of yearning in his mesmerizing gray eyes right before he kissed her. Disappointment was all Ari saw in him at the present moment and it pained her more than she wanted to admit to herself.
Ryder stared at her for a moment. “I’m going to be here for the next few weeks. So, I will see if you can hold up your end of the deal.”
Silence stretched between them for a few seconds as Ari tried to breathe through her unjustified anger. “Wait. What do you mean?” She gestured around the ranch. “You don’t mean here…here, do you?”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
Ari’s pulse leaped at the thought of Ryder in such close proximity. She spent all her nights alone. Ari bit the inside of her cheek to keep from speaking. She’d show Ryder her commitment to her job, apologize properly for everything and—
“Don’t look like that, Ari. This place is plenty big enough for both of us with two bedrooms and bathrooms.” Ryder gave her a dry look. “I have no intentions of taking you to bed again. I’ll be working, and hopefully, so will you.”
Ari dropped her arms to her side and balled her hands into fists. She turned her back to Ryder, distressed by his frank declaration. How could she stay—sleep—in the same space as him? It would be pure torture. Her craving him while knowing he only wanted to babysit her. He doesn’t trust me and he sure as hell doesn’t want me. The thought brought more tears to Ari’s eyes.
“Damn, Ari. If it bothers you that much, I’ll stay somewhere else.”
Ari whirled around. “Oh, no. It’s fine. You own this place. You should stay here. I should be the one to leave.” With little money saved, moving anywhere right now would prove a challenge. Ari let out a hysterical giggle, troubled by the realization and her wayward emotions. “For all intents and purposes, you own me. Don’t you?”
“Ari, stop it.”
“What? It’s true.” Ari gave him a bright smile, ignoring the storm brewing in Ryder’s eyes. “Message received, boss.” She lifted her hand and saluted him then reached for her drink, knocking her glass over instead. The tumbler crashed and shattered around her bare feet and Ari gasped as droplets of the icy mixture slid down her legs.
“Dammit, Ari.”
Ari lifted her face f
rom the broken glass, yelping in surprise when Ryder lifted her up onto the railing. She took hold of the banister with both hands, shivering from his touch and the glittering anger evident in the steady gaze he leveled on her.
“Stay still.”
Ari remained silent as Ryder turned and went back inside the cottage. Her heart was racing from her hot-headed rant. She’d wanted to get things back on track between them. Ari sighed as she watched a lightning bug fly by. She never would have imagined the tension between her and Ryder was possible when they’d always been so comfortable around one another in the past.
The front door opened and Ryder came out with a broom and dustpan, a towel over his shoulder. Ari opened her mouth to speak then closed it as Ryder swept up the debris. He dumped the trash into the receptacle near the stairs then came to her side without saying a word. Ari cleared her throat as Ryder took the towel off his shoulder then crouched in front her. Her heart raced when he wrapped his hand around her calf and wiped the spilled drink off her skin. “I-I can clean myself.”
Ryder briefly glanced up at her as he patted her legs. “I know, but I am.”
Ari struggled not to wiggle beneath his touch. She wanted the easy camaraderie they’d had before everything had gone nuts in Vegas. Ari stared down at Ryder, resisting the urge to push her fingers through his thick hair. She missed his hands on her, all over her body, and how hard he could make her come. Ryder was a skilled lover, the only man to have brought her to orgasm twice in one night.
Ari gripped the railing tighter as memories of that evening flooded her mind. She drew in a sharp breath, trying not to think about the time Ryder had kissed her thighs and pleasured her with his mouth until she’d begged for his cock. The erotic flashback made her wet as Ryder stood.
“Thank you.”
Ryder tossed the towel onto the chair behind him then looked at her. “No problem.”
Soul Chance Page 2