AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No time like the present to do this.”
I step forward and punch in the key code, then unlock the door.
“You live in your office?”
“The top floor is mine.” I don’t look at him as I go in and head for the elevator. “Come on.”
I come out of the bathroom, in my pajamas—he’s already seen me in them and who the hell am I going to impress if I whip out lingerie I don’t have and pretend I sleep in make-up? Let’s face it, this is Ryder Sinclair who has his pick of the world’s most beautiful women—and he’s poking about the living room.
“You have plants.”
“I know,” I say.
His jacket and coat are off, his vest that fits slim against him is still on and damn, in the narrow dress pants and vest that are such a deep chocolate they could be black cut, he is a breathtaking figure of manhood.
I take another moment to admire the deep, dark wine of the shirt, which is rolled up at the sleeves to the elbows. The color shouldn’t work, but it does. It somehow manages to be him and subdued, but now, unfettered by the jacket, it’s all him, understated flamboyance. That fashionista edge.
The intricate line work of his tattoo disappears up under his sleeve and from here I can see a dancing skeleton with touches of color here and there along the winding vine of thorn and flowers and leaves.
What am I doing?
Good question, and whatever it is, I need to stop. I drag in a breath and raise my eyes. He’s studying the velvet lines of the philodendron gloriosum. The large heart-shaped leaves have striking white veins on it. And they’re not complete divas or drama queens like some plants I’ve had.
Then Ryder turns to me, a soft smile turning his mouth up as he runs his gaze over me. “And there she is.”
“I’ve been here the entire night.”
“Not that quirky heart of you. That was hidden beneath the hot dress and face.”
“Are you saying I’m Eleanor Rigby?”
“Maybe you are.” He hums a few bars of the old Beatles song. “You also like to hide. But there’s no hiding when old school Godzilla comes out to play.”
My hand clenches. “I wasn’t expecting company.”
“And I’m not complaining.”
“You’re just…what?”
He shrugs and the air crackles and sings. “Figuring you out.”
“Nothing to figure out.” I stomp off and grab some bedding from the closet in my tiny study. There really isn’t a hall, it’s more rooms leading from the central nerve system of the living room. I dump the pillow, quilt, and sheets on the floor next to the burnt sienna velvet art deco sofa with its curved back and plush cushions.
“I beg to differ.”
“You would.”
His smile burns brighter and makes me hot inside. “I’m just saying you’re complex, a puzzle, and I’m putting together the pieces.”
Ryder starts to make up the sofa without me. I’m so shocked I watch him.
He raises a brow as he finishes tucking in a corner of the sheet. “What? You think I have a man servant who does everything including brush my teeth?”
“No. You’d have a woman.”
“Hey, I take offense at that.” He throws the pillow into place and unbuttons the vest and I find it suddenly hard to swallow. “I’d have more…interesting roles for her to play.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
