Page 14 of Babies for the Christmas Grump

I’m walking away from him, but all I can think about is the way his eyes lingered on me, the sharpness of his tone, and how it made me feel things.

Ugh.

Tinsel’s tail flicks irritably as I walk off, and I try to pretend it’s the annoyance at Ryder’s coldness that’s making me fume. But deep down, I know it’s more than that.

My face is red, my thoughts a jumbled mess. And as much as I want to be angry at him, a part of me is too damn turned on to make sense of it all.

Stupid hotel. Stupid Ryder.

Stupid me.

CHAPTER FOUR

Ryder

November 21st

Damage control mode.

That’s where I am.

It’s a familiar place, a place I’ve spent years in. Analyzing the numbers, assessing the risks, and calculating the outcomes. I’ve spent my entire career making sure everything runs smoothly, with no room for mistakes.

But there’s one problem now: her.

Sunny Quinn.

I can’t stop thinking about her. The way she smiled, the sarcasm in her tone, the little laugh that escaped her when she tried to mask how out of her depth she was. It shouldn’t have happened.

One night. One mistake. But it keeps coming back to me.

I told myself it was just sex. Nothing more. We got caught up in the moment. She’s a beautiful woman, and I’ve had more than my share of random flings.

But there’s something about her. She has captivated me in ways that I can’t explain.

And that’s dangerous.

I push the thought aside as Nolan walks in, his face too eager for my liking. He’s been with me long enough to know when I’m about to lose my temper, and it’s obvious he’s trying to defuse it before it starts.

“Hey, I’ve got a good one for you,” he says, all casual, but there’s a twinkle in his eye.

I raise an eyebrow, already knowing where this is going.

“So, I heard the new boss lady is really making her presence known. Is it true?”

“Knock it off,” I mutter, glancing at the papers in front of me to avoid his gaze.

“C’mon, Ryder,” Nolan presses. “You’re telling me Dex didn’tsee you flirting and leaving together the other night?”

My hands curl into fists. “Dex is a mischief maker who didn’t tell me who she was.”

Nolan shrugs. “I don’t think he knew she was the boss until the next day.”

I don’t know if I believe that, but I suppose it doesn’t matter.

“So…” Nolan teases. “Did you?—”

“No,” I cut him off. “Don’t even finish that sentence. And if I hear anything else along those lines, I’ll have your resignation on my desk before lunch.”