Once again, I open my mouth to go on the offensive, but she’s already talking. “I’m sorry, but that information is classified.”
Ryder glances at me. “This is my sister Jessica, or have you two met?”
“She intro?—”
She cuts me off. “This is all one big misunderstanding, but I can’t really explain things right now.” She attempts to make her eyes wide and innocent and fails miserably. “I would get in a lot of trouble if you forced me to tell you, so you’ll have to trust that this doesn’t involve you.”
I work to contain my utter exasperation with her. She’s making this into a mystery he’ll need to solve, and now, I’m unable to provide some sort of reasonable explanation.
An explanation I don’t have, but I’m positive would have come to me, given enough time.
Ryder shakes his head. “I don’t trust you at all.”
“Mean.” She tsks, frowning. “What have I ever done to you?”
“Are you going to give me an answer or not?”
“Oh my god, you’re so dramatic. You’re not the boss of me. I don’t have to tell you shit.” Then she gives him a smile so dazzling, it damn near twinkles.
Ryder shifts his attention to me. “You’re awfully quiet over there.”
If she’s going to use the worst strategy in the world, the least I can do is take advantage and dump the entire thing in her lap. Since she’d do the same, I don’t feel the slightest compunction about it.
I put my hand in my pocket. “If I’d had any idea your sister was following me, I wouldn’t have called it in, now, would I?”
At least I’m not lying to him.
Why didn’t I follow my instincts and forget protocol? I could have had her alone on a deserted highway, but I had to go set an example.
“I suppose.” His voice is slow and measured. Ryder is no idiot. Even if he can’t fathom a reason for this strange turn of events, he knows bullshit when he hears it.
“At some point, this will make sense, but until then, my lips are sealed.” Then Jessica mimes locking her lips and throwing away the key.
Ryder studies the two of us.
To her credit, she doesn’t fidget under the scrutiny.
Instead, she looks bored and studies her manicure.
Those pale-pink nails of hers made a mess of my back. I still wear the evidence of her, and considering the fevered wildness between us, I can’t imagine she’s not the same.
I want to find out.
I want to rip off her panties and manhandle her.
If I’d trapped her on the road, I could have held her against the car and shoved my fingers between her thighs.
This is not a helpful train of thought. Nor is it appropriate, considering our new reality. Whatever happens, no matter the circumstances, I need to keep my hands off her.
I don’t do ties. I don’t do attachments or complications.
I don’t do any of those things, and she’s all of those things on steroids.
Ryder’s gaze narrows. “In that case, Jess, since you’re in town on a surprise visit, you’ll come join us at Sam’s.” Before I can wish them well and make it clear I’ll be on my way, he says, “And since my sister here is so keen to talk to you, you’ll come too.”
And that’s how, instead of sitting on my dock enjoying the peace, I ended up sitting next to Jessica Moore, not peaceful at all.
Chapter 6