Page 32 of Ryder’s Storm

“Nessie, you’re on speaker with me and the girl you asked me about yesterday.”

“Oh my God! You found her? I wanna meet her! When are you bringing her home?”

“Soon,” Ryder said with a smile, “I hope. But could you please clear something up for her? Would you please tell her how you and I are related?”

“What kind of question is that?”

“Just answer it.”

“You’re my big brother. How else would we be related?”

“And could you please tell her if I’m in a relationship.”

“You mean like a girlfriend? Hell, no. Though it’s not for a lack of Ethan and me trying to set you up.”

“Thanks, Nessie, talk later,” Ryder said and disconnected the call. He remained silent for a few seconds. “Do you believe me now?”

The call had sounded genuine, and she believed Nessie. But there were several things that were surprising.

“You told her about me?”

Ryder nodded.

“She asked you whether you found me. Does that mean you were looking for me?”

“Yes. After you disappeared from the club, I tried to find you, but I had no luck until I got assigned to your security detail.”

“Why were you looking for me?”

“Isn’t that obvious?” He shook his head lightly. “I want to be with you.”

“Hmm.” She wasn’t ready to believe that. Just proving that he spoke to his sister and not a girlfriend didn’t explain everything. She recalled the part of the telephone conversation she’d overheard in the morning. It was the oddest conversation between a brother and sister Scarlet could imagine. “You and Nessie spoke about anal sex. I find that odd. Did you tell her about what we did at the nightclub?” The thought alone made her feel flushed.

“No, of course I didn’t tell her about that. Just that I met someone.”

She raised an eyebrow. Could she trust him not to have told everybody about their sexual encounter?

“I can see that you’re not satisfied with my explanation yet. There’s more. But it’s not something I can tell you.”

“Figures,” she interrupted him. What kind of excuse would he use now?

“I have to show it to you.” He paused. “There’s a reason why I couldn’t sleep with you last night. I was scared to let you see me naked.”

“What the—”

“Please, Scarlet. I was worried that you would reject me once you saw me…”

“Why?” She couldn’t imagine why somebody like Ryder could possibly have body image issues.

“I’ll show you, but”—he pointed to the living room window—“I’d rather not have an audience.”

Scarlet contemplated his words for a long few seconds.

“Fine. We’ll go upstairs. But if this is a trick—”

“It’s not.”

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