Fight Like You've Never Lost (Summer Lake #14) - S.J. McCoy Page 0,81
to his feet with a smile that made her heart feel as though it might beat out of her chest. It was his old smile, the lines around his eyes crinkled deeper than they used to, and it was even sexier.
“Come on in.”
Dan glanced at her. “I’ll leave you guys to it, unless you need me for anything?”
She shook her head. He was offering to stay as a buffer if she needed him, but she didn’t. She could handle this.
He left while Ryan was shaking hands with Donovan. “Good to meet you. We didn’t get the chance to talk the other night.”
Leanne watched them. She’d planned to have the two of them talk on Saturday night. But that plan had gone awry. Instead of having Ryan talk to Donovan, she’d gone out back with him—and kissed him. She squeezed her eyes shut at the memory of that kiss.
He turned to her and took hold of her hand, closing both of his around it. She didn’t have time to react as he pulled her in close and kissed her cheek. “It’s good to see you, Lee.”
Damn him! The smell of leather and spice filled up her senses and the warmth and nearness of him filled up the space around them. She stepped back quickly. “You, too. I have to say, I’m impressed.”
He gestured for them to take a seat and went back around his desk to sit opposite them. “I can’t take any credit for it. It’s all Dan.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “The tech side is, but from what he’s said, and what I’ve seen, you’ve done a lot of legwork to set up the rest of it.”
He shrugged. “Nothing would ever have happened without Dan.”
Her chin jerked up and she met his gaze. Was he still talking about work? She wasn’t sure. It felt like he was talking about the two of them. Or maybe her mind was still addled from standing too close to him? From wishing that he’d kissed her lips and not her cheek. Shit! She needed to get a grip.
“True.” She conceded either way. “He said you’re going to fill us in on your plans for the physical side.”
One eyebrow raised slightly, and the corners of his lips quirked up so slightly that she doubted Donovan would even notice. It was only because she knew him so well. She knew all his facial expressions.
“Sure.” He let his gaze drop to her breasts briefly before meeting her gaze again. “I’m going to be doing what I’ve always done. Keeping people safe.” He glanced at Donovan. “Stepping in when there’s a problem.”
Was he saying that he saw Donovan as a problem?
Donovan smiled at him. “From what I’ve heard, you have the reputation of being one of the best.”
Ryan gave him a puzzled look that turned into a half smile. “I like to think so.”
Leanne didn’t get it. It felt like the two of them were having a conversation and she wasn’t included—and it wasn’t about security and protection services. She frowned at Ryan and opened her mouth to speak but he beat her to it.
“I like to think I’m the best. But we all know that Leanne is the best. I’m glad you’re on board.”
Her heart raced. His smile looked genuine. She didn’t get what was going on here. Maybe there wasn’t anything going on and she was just overthinking it? “Thanks.” She reached down into her purse and pulled her phone out. Neither of them needed to know that she hadn’t just heard it buzz. She looked at it as though she was reading a message and then gave them an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I need to take this. Can you two do this without me?”
Donovan gave her a puzzled look, and she felt bad. But she had to go. She’d thought that she could sit through this, but she’d been wrong.
She headed straight back out to the parking lot, needing some fresh air. What was her problem? She should have been able to handle half an hour sitting in his office, listening to him tell them what he did, and what he planned to do. Where they’d fit in. If she couldn’t do that, how was she going to be able to work with him?
Her phone buzzed and she looked down at it. It was a text from Ryan.