Page 26 of Ryder’s Storm

The tone of her voice was icy with a side of hailstorm. It appeared that the pancake breakfast hadn’t done anything to lift her mood.

14

If she hadn’t had an appointment with her professor, Scarlet would have gone back to her room and cried her eyes out. But she had to pull herself together. She couldn’t give Ryder the satisfaction of knowing that he’d hurt her. No wonder he hadn’t wanted to sleep with her last night. He had a girlfriend! Nessie. He’d probably come straight from her bed, and knew he couldn’t perform again so soon. And from what she’d picked up from their lovey-dovey conversation, Ryder was talking her into having anal sex with him.

Scarlet had no idea how she made it through her conference with the head of the psychology department, during which Ryder had waited outside the office. Because of the additional pointers her professor had given her, Scarlet had to spend several hours in the university library to do research. By the time they left, it was past five o’clock in the evening. During the drive back to the house, Ryder attempted to make conversation, but she ignored him.

The moment he parked the car outside her home, Scarlet jumped out and crossed the street. At the entrance door he caught up with her. She pulled out her house key, but he was faster. However, the door opened inward before Ryder could put the key in the lock.

Claudia greeted them and ushered them inside. “There you are, Scarlet. Hi, Ryder.”

“Mrs. King,” Ryder said, while Scarlet greeted her stepmother with a quick “You’re here.”

Claudia put her hand on Scarlet’s arm. “My nephew arrived on an earlier flight. Come and let me introduce you.”

Even though Scarlet wasn’t in the mood to make polite conversation with a stranger, she allowed Claudia to lead her into the living room, where a young man rose from the couch and turned toward them.

“This is Derek, my nephew,” Claudia beamed. “Derek, this is my dear stepdaughter Scarlet.”

Derek, who looked like he was about five to eight years older than Scarlet, approached her. He was a little shorter than six feet, with short dark hair and light brown eyes. He was slim, but didn’t look like he worked out. His muscles were nowhere near as defined as Ryder’s. Damn it, she shouldn’t compare everybody to him.

“Aunt Claudia has told me so much about you,” Derek said with a wide smile. “Though she forgot to mention how beautiful you are.”

Scarlet forced herself to smile and offered her hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you too.”

Instead of taking her hand, Derek kissed her on both cheeks. She froze, and Claudia laughed.

“Sorry, Scarlet, I should have warned you that Derek spent a few years in Paris, and that’s how the French greet each other.”

Scarlet nodded, and from the corner of her eye she saw Ryder stare at Derek as if he was about to pounce. His reaction gave her an idea.

“That’s actually a nice way of greeting somebody. We should do this more often in the States. It breaks the ice.” Scarlet tossed Derek a flirtatious smile. “Tell me more about your time in Paris.”

She didn’t give a fig about Derek or his time in France, but if by flirting with him she could get back at Ryder, then that’s what she would do.

“Of course,” he said with a charming grin. Then his gaze veered to Ryder. “But where are my manners? You must be a friend of Scarlet’s.”

“I’m Ryder, her bodyguard,” Ryder answered stiffly.

“Nice to meet you, Ryder.” Then he turned his gaze back to Scarlet. “So you want to know more about Paris?”

“Absolutely. I’ve always wanted to go, but so far there’s never been the right time, or the right person to go with.” She smiled at him sweetly, knowing that Ryder was watching them like a hawk.

“I have an idea,” Derek announced. “Why don’t the three of us go to that charming little French bistro I read so much about? There’s nothing better than to tell stories about Paris over French food.”

“That sounds perfect,” Scarlet said quickly. She was hungry anyway, so why not kill two birds with one stone? Fill her belly with delicious food, and get back at Ryder for hurting her by flirting with Derek. That would show him that what had happened between them meant nothing to her.

“Then it’s settled,” Derek said. “Claudia? You know the restaurant I’m talking about, right?”

“Yes, of course, Bistro Tartin. But you two will have to go alone. I have to review a contract for Brandon, and he wanted to get feedback on that tonight while he’s with his client in Phoenix.”

“That’s not a problem,” Derek said. “Do you want us to bring you back some food?”

She made a dismissive hand movement. “No, please don’t. I want to keep my figure, and just looking at French food makes me gain a pound. But you and Scarlet have fun.”

Derek looked at Scarlet. “Guess you’re stuck with me. I’d better get us an Uber to pick us up. I didn’t rent a car. Claudia warned me that parking in San Francisco is notoriously difficult.”

“We can take my car,” Scarlet offered. “It’s in the garage. I don’t use it much but—”