Page 30 of Ryder’s Storm

“Well, how about a drink?” Derek asked.

“I’m not a big drinker, and—”

“Oh come on, just one,” he said with a charming smile. “It’s still early. Only old people go to sleep this early. And I don’t want this nice evening to end yet.”

He was already heading into the living room where he opened a cabinet. Scarlet eyed him, surprised. How did he know where her father kept the liquor? She watched him as he poured himself whiskey then looked over his shoulder.

“Same for you?”

“No. I’ll have port.” Whiskey was too strong for her. But a few sips of port she could handle.

When Derek handed her the glass and clinked his to hers, he looked into her eyes. “I had a really nice time at dinner. You’re an extraordinary young woman.”

How would he know that when he’d been the one talking continuously? He hadn’t asked her a single question, clearly too enamored with his own voice.

“Thanks.” She sipped on her port while he took a big gulp of his whiskey. She set the glass down on the coffee table. “Oh, you know I just remembered that I have to upload a document for the university, or I’ll miss the midnight deadline.”

She didn’t care if he knew that this was an excuse. She wanted to be alone. She made a few steps toward the door, but he followed her.

“You’ve still got a couple of hours until midnight,” Derek said.

When she looked over her shoulder, he stepped closer and chuckled. “There’s no need to play hard to get.”

Scarlet reared back. “What?” Her heartbeat suddenly accelerated.

He put his hand on her arm, and the unwelcome touch made her take a step back. In an attempt to put as much distance between them as possible, she hit a standing lamp behind her.

“You don’t have to play coy with me, Scarlet. You can’t deny that we hit it off tonight. No reason to stop now.”

Scarlet made a step sideways toward the door, but he cut off her escape route, trapping her.

Derek leaned in. “I’ve wanted to kiss you ever since you came down the stairs, dressed like this for me.”

“I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but I’m not interested in you.” Not even if he were the last man on earth and the survival of the human race depended on her sleeping with Derek.

He ignored her protest and braced his hands to either side of her head, his palms on the wall. “No woman dresses like that unless she wants to attract a man’s attention. Well, you’ve got my attention. But if you want to, we can play this little game. I’m up for it.”

“Let me go!” she demanded, this time firmer. “I’d like to go to bed now. Alone.”

Derek didn’t move. “I’m getting a lot of mixed signals here, Scarlet. Maybe you’re just shy when it comes to sex. Don’t worry. I’ve got experience. I can teach you.”

Not in a million years!

Besides, she had enough experience.

He dipped his head, but she pushed against his chest with all her strength. “Stop! Get off of me!” When he didn’t let her go, she reminded herself of the self-defense class her father had made her take. Which of the maneuvers she’d learned would work in her current position?

Derek glared at her. He made a motion to immobilize her arms so she wouldn’t be able to defend herself, but before his hands could wrap around her wrists, he was jerked back and flung against an armchair, making it turn over.

Ryder!

Stunned, Scarlet watched as Derek found his balance again, but Ryder didn’t give him a chance to defend himself.

“She said no! What part of no don’t you get?” Ryder yelled at Derek before he punched him in the face.

Derek’s head whipped back, and he stumbled backward, but before he could crash to the ground, Ryder snatched him by the collar of his shirt and jerked him back.

“Oh, no, you’re not getting away that easily!” Ryder ground out, the chords in his neck bulging, his muscles flexing under his shirt.