RISKY PLAY (RED CARD #1) BY RACHEL VAN DYKEN Page 0,31
me to a sitting position on the concrete. “Are you alright?”
“I’ll make it.” I gave him my best smile as he helped me to my feet. “Sorry about the coffee.”
“Sorry about the concrete on your ass and the spilled coffee. Alfie was getting anxious, and I didn’t want a repeat of last night, so I was going to take him out front.”
“Gotcha.” I tried wiping at my shirt, but it was completely ruined and starting to stick against my bra like a second skin.
“Why don’t you find something to wear from my room?” he offered in a nice tone that reminded of the guy I’d met on vacation. “And I’ll take Alfie out.”
“Sure.” I gulped, struggling a bit as I recalled the taste of his lips on mine. “Okay.”
We walked past each other. He cleared his throat. I cleared mine. Like we both had the same frog, just different reasons for swallowing it.
I deposited my purse on the kitchen table, then slowly made my way up the stairs and into his massive bedroom. The same boxes were scattered around like he still wasn’t sure he was going to stay in Seattle.
With a sigh I walked over to the dresser in search of a white T-shirt I could knot at my waist or tuck into my black skinny jeans.
The first drawer had socks.
The second held numerous tanks, and finally a cute band T-shirt that looked like it would be way too small on him.
I tossed it on the bed, then peeled my wet shirt over my head just in time to hear barking.
“Traitor,” Slade said under his breath when Alfie came running into the room. I had nothing on but my bra. He looked his fill like he was actually allowed to after the way he’d treated me.
Shame washed over me. In a new way.
Shame that he could see me and not be affected.
Shame that I was that easily forgotten.
Left behind.
I quickly turned around, grabbed the shirt, and pulled it over my head, then pulled my hair out from underneath.
“Nice choice.” He seemed amused.
I looked down, noting how it fit tight across my chest. “This can’t be a guy’s shirt.”
“You would be accurate in your assessment. I was actually planning on burning all memories of the fiancée. I must have grabbed one of her shirts without noticing it . . .” He shrugged. “Silver lining? That was never tight across her chest.”
“Are you calling me fat?”
His eyes widened. “No . . . I know it’s shocking, but I actually mean it as a compliment, you have nice . . .” He shook his head. “Never mind, let’s go sign shit.”
“I think this house has seen enough shit,” I grumbled, glaring at Alfie. He whined and started licking my heel.
With a sigh I bent down and kissed him on his head. “No more mice or birds, and if you see a pet parakeet . . . self-control, buddy, self-control.”
He licked my hand again and tried nuzzling my body.
Slade folded his arms as a pained expression crossed his features. “Let’s go.”
“Yeah.” I stood and followed him back to the kitchen while Alfie trailed behind us, nearly falling head over paws down the last few stairs because he built up so much speed. The guy ran sideways, he was going to be big.
I smirked as his paws slammed against the kitchen floor in an effort to stop himself from running into the table.
Slade stepped over him and grabbed a stack of papers from a black portfolio.
I sat at the table and waited for him to say something.
He didn’t.
He just handed me a pen with a weird expression on his face.
I narrowed my eyes. “What exactly am I signing?”
“Another NDA, nothing fancy. I just need to cover every angle, every possible outcome . . .” He drummed his fingertips on the table. “Do you want a cup of coffee?”
“As long as you promise not to throw it at my chest,” I teased lightly.
His eyes lowered. Damn, the man had the lazy, half-lidded gaze down like a champ. He didn’t answer, just turned and went over to the Keurig.
I pulled the cap off the pen and skimmed the first page. Everything looked normal until I saw the words Puerto Vallarta.
“What?” I bit down on my tongue and read further. “Sexual relationship?”
A mug of coffee appeared in front of my face. “Here.”
I took the coffee, set it on the table, and crossed my arms. “Is this what I think it is?”