an asshole, but it was the truth. She wanted a player to get her into the right clubs and buy her shit no other man in the city could. She wanted a warm body, just like him, and a day-by-day commitment.
That wasn’t enough for Ryder anymore.
She wasn’t.
When she slid her fingers over his chest, Ryder caught them, throwing her hand away from his body. “What did you tell her?”
“I…” Another step and Greer backed up, turning to get away from him, ready to leave as she neared the front entrance and picked up her bag. Ryder stopped her from leaving with an easy but steady glare on his face that warned he wanted an answer. She knew his moods, had always been great at knowing what he wanted and when. It was mutual. She got the same treatment, but now wasn’t for her. He wasn’t giving her pleasure that would leave her sore and satisfied the next day. He wasn’t leading her into the owner’s Christmas party or flying her to New York to see the latest Broadway show.
For once, Ryder asked for something from her. He wanted a return on his investment that wouldn’t lead them into his bedroom. Greer broke the battling of wills between them, looking away from his careful attention, then she exhaled, the movement defeated. “I might have implied that I was…pregnant with your child.”
Ryder’s mouth dropped open, and he looked up at the ceiling, head in a shake as he closed his eyes. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” She only stared at him, eyes wide, but Greer kept silent. Rage filled him, edged him back, two steps he needed to keep out of her reach. “You’re on the shot and we’ve never, ever had sex without a condom, Greer. You didn’t think I’d call bullshit on that the second I heard about it?”
“Ryder…I’m…you know I’m good for you.” She ignored him, deciding instead to reach for him again but Ryder continued to glare down at her, his face contorted with tension and a heavy frown. Greer instantly thought better of whatever it was she had planned and took a step closer to the door.
“You’re good for no one,” he said, walking past her, beating her to his front door, hand on the knob when he flung it open. “Get the fuck out of my life.”
“You…you can’t be serious. That woman is…she’s a disgusting little…” She went quiet, gnawing on her bottom lip when Ryder’s nostrils flared.
“Women like you, Greer, never see the people who stand taller than them.” Door opened against the wall, Ryder flattened his palm against it. “She’s not disgusting. You are.”
“She is nothing like me, Ryder. There is no competition, and you’re an idiot if you think there is.”
“I might be dumb, but I know something for sure.” Greer moved her eyebrows up, stare sharp as though she wanted his answer, but couldn’t bring herself to ask for it. Ryder explained without her invitation. “You can’t fucking touch her. She’s better than you in every way that matters, and I love her.” He didn’t let her react. He ignored the tutting, insulting noises she made as he nodded toward the hallway. She stepped over the threshold, pausing only once to watch him before Ryder slammed the door in her face.
21.
REESE
Pre-Division Game
REESE COULDN’T STOMACH BEING around Ryder, not since Greer’s confession. Couple her disappointment with their busy playoff schedule and she’d been able to avoid him. It helped a little, having Wilson and Pérez to keep her distracted then when Pukui returned to New Orleans, ready to tackle their last division game, Reese put Ryder out of her mind completely.
Pukui had returned from Hawaii a little broken but not alone. His beautiful daughter Keola joined him and both shared the same haunted look, and the same shadow cast over them. It hurt Reese to see it, and she felt sorry for them both, especially Keola as she clung to her father’s hand, coming to greet Reese on the sidelines of the camp field just two days before the Steamers were set to play Minnesota in the division game. It was the only reason Pukui had returned so soon after the accident. Reese liked his loyalty to the team and to his family back in Hawaii.
“Kai,” she greeted him, kissing his cheek before she knelt in front of him, opening her arms for Keola to hug her. The girl managed it, but it took her several minutes to remember the games