AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twenty
His back to the door, Ryder sat at the bar nursing a beer and didn’t see Sophie walk in. But when the bartender looked past him, his eyes widening, Ryder knew she’d arrived. Picking up the bottle, he took a sip, turned to watch her approach, and started to choke.
Jesus fucking Christ.
“Damn,” the bartender said, which was pretty much the understatement of the century.
Sophie sauntered toward him wearing a scrap of black fabric Ryder supposed could pass as a dress and mile-high heels. Her hips swayed to the beat of the music playing in the background, and all the blood rushed from his head and straight to his cock.
He growled to the bartender, “She’s mine.”
The bartender laughed. “Lucky guy.”
“You have no idea.”
She was practically making men drop like flies in her wake as she walked to the empty stool next to him. She smiled, her full red lips holding the same sins as the apple Eve held out to Adam. When she spoke her voice was a husky purr. “Is this seat taken?”
Ryder immediately caught her game. His whispered fantasy to her a few weeks ago. And suddenly her wanting to meet him instead of driving together made sense. His mind started to spin with all the directions he could take this.
His gaze flickered over her wild hair, crimson lips, and tiny body. She looked incredible. He gestured to the seat. “It’s all yours, darlin’.”
“Thank you.” She slid onto the chair and smiled at the bartender, who looked at her like he wanted to eat her for dinner despite Ryder’s warning. He would have taken offense but couldn’t really blame the guy.
Her tongue darted out to wet her red lips. “Can I get a dirty martini?”
The bartender shook his head as though clearing it from a daze. “Sure thing.”
She crossed her legs and shifted her attention toward Ryder. “I’m passing through and my car broke down.”
He met her gaze. “So you’re stranded?”
“Yes.” One bare shoulder shrugged. “I need help, but my cell phone’s dead, and with the bar right here it seemed like a sign I should come in.” She gave him the most obscene look and licked her lips again. “You wouldn’t happen to know anyone trustworthy, would you?”
He put his drink down on the bar and slid his hand on the counter, facing her more fully. “Today’s your lucky day.”
“Why’s that?” She batted dark, thick lashes.
“I’m a cop.”
She pursed her lips and sighed, “Ooohhh, that is lucky.”
The bartender returned and set her drink on the bar.
Ryder didn’t look away from Sophie. “It’s on me.”
“Sure thing, buddy.”
“Thank you.” She put her hand on his knee and leaned forward, and Ryder practically fell into her cleavage. “That’s very sweet of you.”
“I’m a stand-up guy.” Palm searing his skin through his jeans, she squeezed before moving away to pick up her martini.
She took a sip, glanced pointedly at his erection, and smiled. “I can see that.”
He didn’t even miss a beat. His gaze dipped to her breasts spilling out over the fabric. “Where are you going dressed like that?”
She puffed out her bottom lip. “I had a date, but he stood me up.”
Wouldn’t happen in a million years, but he clucked sympathetically. “Poor thing.”
