Page 123 of Power Play

“If we keep doing that, we’re missing the fair.”

The disappointment came before I could hide it.

Ryan noticed, and his thumb brushed my side. “Don’t give me that look.”

“What look?”

“The one that makes me consider canceling everything I planned and locking your front door.”

My heartbeat stumbled. “You could.”

His eyes darkened enough that answering heat moved through me instantly. For a few seconds, I thought he might.

That was what kept confusing me.

Ryan wanted me. There was no reasonable way to deny it anymore. I had felt exactly how badly he wanted me more than once. I had watched restraint tighten his body while his mouth was still on mine. I had heard him tell me he wasn’t interested in another woman and seen the possessive satisfaction on his face when I told him I wasn’t interested in another man.

Every time we came close to going further, he stopped. He never looked relieved afterward. He looked tortured, yet my mind continued turning his restraint into evidence against me.

Ryan kissed me once more, gentler this time, before brushing his nose against mine. “Later.”

The promise inside the word sent a ridiculous thrill through me.

“Later what?”

His dimple appeared. “You’re going to have to survive the carnival to find out.”

“You’re evil.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

He started to step back, and my hands tightened instinctively against his shirt.

Ryan looked down at them before meeting my eyes again. “I’m not leaving yet.”

I hated how easily he heard the fears I hadn’t said.

“I know.”

His gaze lingered for another moment before he kissed my forehead and released me. “Grab your purse.”

“I can carry it myself.”

“I know you can.”

He had already moved toward it, and panic flickered when I remembered the measuring tape had been left on the vanity only minutes earlier. I had put it away, but the fear of him seeing any evidence remained.

“I’ll get it.”

I crossed the room too quickly.

Ryan paused with his hand halfway toward the strap. My heart kicked hard as his eyes moved from the purse to my face.

“I was going to be useful.”

“You’re taking me on a date. I can carry my own purse.”

That distracted him.