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‘You have to excuse my brother.’

Aiden set a glass of prosecco down beside her glasses on the table and slid into the cosy pub booth across from her, his knee grazing hers as he took a slug of cold beer straight from the bottle.

She eyed his thirst-quenching drink, the condensation around the neck, the light layer of foam just visible through the glass and resisted the urge to smack her lips.

She really wanted a beer. It didn’t need to be a fancy IPA, just any old beer would do. But Aiden’s ladies were classy. Classy meant lady-like drinks, straight posture, crossed legs and a demure smile. Check, check, check, and?—

‘You did ask for a prosecco, right?’

‘Hmm?’ She refocused on his face, the puzzled crease to his brow. ‘Oh yes, of course, thanks.’ She grabbed her glass, almost knocking it over in her eagerness. ‘Prosecco is the answer to everything.’

Or it had been before she’d had a few too many in a snowy airport and felt the aftereffects for days…

He turned his head, giving her the side eye as he took another slug and her mouth watered. ‘You sure about that?’

‘Yes. Absolutely.’ She dragged her eyes back to his and took a dainty sip from her glass. ‘Now, what were you saying about your brother?’

‘He really is a good man underneath all the…’

‘Grumpiness?’

‘I was going to say something more profane,’ he said with a laugh. ‘But yes, that works.’

‘Why do you think he’s so opposed to doing the article?’

‘I think every man has skeletons in their closet, things they’d rather keep that way, and my brother is no exception.’

‘I meant what I said in the meeting, though. I won’t print anything you’re not comfortable with.’

‘And what if you don’t have a choice?’

‘I don’t follow.’

‘If this article is to do what the franchise hopes it will, those skeletons are precisely what you’ll need.’

Interesting…

‘And what about your skeletons? Are you worried about those too?’

Would Sienna be one? One of many? Because she couldn’t believe the sudden tension in his frame was all about his brother.

‘I thought this drink was about us getting casually acquainted.’

She forced a smile. ‘You’re right. Sorry. It’s hard turning off the journalist in me.’

‘What about turning her on?’

‘Wow!’ She laughed into her glass. ‘Smooth, real smooth.’

He grinned. ‘Got you to switch off though, didn’t I?’

She shook her head, her laughter still rolling as she scanned their surroundings. She didn’t want to like him. She didn’t want to enjoy his company. She wanted to stay in control of every emotion, but then, so did he. Mr Life Is One Big Game.

‘You know, when you’d suggested going to a bar, I hadn’t expected one quite so laidback.’

‘You call a pub with a VIP member-only policy, laidback?’

‘If you forget that bit, yes.’

She’d expected a chic, upscale wine bar – not a classic pub brimming with charm and a crackling fire too.

Despite being early evening, midweek, the place was already bustling.

The steady hum of laughter and conversation blended seamlessly with the soft background music while the comforting scent of home-cooked meals and freshly poured ale filled the air.

Her nose twitched; she could so scoff a steak and ale pie!

‘You don’t like it?’

‘No, I love it! It’s my kind of place.’ Her jeans and trainers would fit right in here. She fit right in. ‘I’m just surprised it’s yours.’

But only because of the women in Research Exhibit C. He was a hockey player at the end of the day, not some city slick billionaire…

He gave her a lopsided grin. ‘I’m full of surprises.’

‘Is that so?’ She followed what felt like a flirtatious lead and took a seductive sip of her fizz – the girls would be proud! ‘Care to share another?’

He held her gaze, his eyes sparkling with whatever he was thinking. ‘I prefer to make you work for it.’

Game on, baby . She licked her lips, her knee lightly kissing his as she crossed and uncrossed her legs. ‘And just how?—’

Her phone started to ring with an incoming call, the unmistakable beat of Tay Tay spearing the moment so spectacularly.

One of the girls was ringing…

She eyed her handbag on the bench beside her and lifted a finger. ‘Hold that thought.’ She peeked inside. Winced. Sissi . Oh God. She muted it and shoved it back, propped her elbow on the table and leaned in, chin on her hand. ‘Sorry. Now where were we…?’

‘It’s okay if you need to take it.’

‘Oh no, it’s fine.’

‘Your face said otherwise.’

Because she’d been freaking out at her double-dealing. Panicking that he’d gain telepathic skills and work it out, too.

The phone started to ring again, and she slapped her hand over the bag.

‘Honestly, take the call. It must be important for them to ring twice.’

Maybe it was important. Maybe Sissi was in trouble. Maybe Paige or Bella…

‘Are you sure?’

‘Totally.’

‘It’s a bit loud in here, I’ll just…’

She gestured to the entrance and slid out of the booth, taking her phone out of her bag as she went. She checked the screen with a curse. The Just Desserts WhatsApp group had been blowing up all afternoon; no wonder Sissi had resorted to ringing.

Just Desserts WhatsApp Group. 13.45 EST.

Sissi

How is it going? xx

Are you home? x

Astrid??

Bella

She’s probably still with him x

Sissi

You think? It’s been hours!

Paige

Keep your knickers on, love. I’m sure it’s a good sign

Sissi

Shall I call her?

Bella

I’m sure she’ll call you when she’s free x

Sissi

I’ll just give her a quick call …

Paige

What are you so worried about? Thought you said he wasn’t a serial killer…

Bella

No but Blake might be…

Paige

Not helping, B!

Sissi

She’s not answering

She pushed through the doors into the foyer and dialled Sissi back, finger to one ear, phone to the other.

A blast of icy wind and a flurry of sleet followed a customer inside and she shuddered, turning toward the wall for shelter.

Brrr. What she wouldn’t give to be in her shark onesie right about now…

‘Astrid!’ came Sissi’s panicked voice.

‘Hey love, I’m so sorry. I’ve only just seen your messages.’

‘Are you okay?!’

‘Everything’s fine. I would’ve called sooner but I’m still tied up with you-know-who .’

‘You are ?’

‘He’s taken me for a drink.’

‘ Already ? Wow, you don’t waste time, do you? Not that you should. It’s good – excellent – great that he’s taken you out already.’

‘It’s not what you’re thinking.’

Though it might be given chance…

‘No?’

She screwed her face up, the conflict in her friend reaching down the phone and giving her a guilt-laden slap. It was one thing to want Astrid to break Aiden, another to sit by knowing she had to get close to do it. Like, close close. ‘It’s more of an apologetic drink than a date date.’

‘Apologetic? Why on earth…’

‘He’s doing it to make up for Blake’s behaviour.’

‘Why, what did his brother do?’

Good question. What did he do?

He was rude. Dismissive. Arrogant. Pissed off. And yet…

Dammit nipples, stand down.

‘Astrid? What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing.’

‘You just swore.’

‘I did?’ Brilliant , now he had her uttering things unaware too. ‘It’s nothing I can’t handle…’

Are you telling yourself that or Sissi?

‘You sure?’

‘ He made it clear he didn’t want me around, that’s all.’

‘Oh dear.’

‘And he’s a real force of nature up close…’ Her mind teased her with his half-naked image – that chest, those abs, the ink… ‘You know he has a tattoo on his chest?’

‘That doesn’t surprise me…’

‘No, but when it’s right there, pressed up against your face and?—’

‘ What ?’

TMI, Astrid!

‘I walked into him.’

‘And he was naked ?’

‘ Half naked,’ she quickly corrected, clutching an arm around her middle as the disloyal little flutters in her abdomen warmed and trebled. ‘He was coming out of the gym.’

‘And you just… walked into him?’

‘I think technically he walked into me.’

‘Must have been some collision.’

She nipped her lip.

‘And where was Aiden?’

‘Around.’

‘Astrid, are you getting distracted?’

‘Of course not! I’m here with Aiden having a drink. One hundred per cent focused. Or at least I was until you distracted me .’

‘I was worried. We hadn’t heard from you all day and… I don’t know. How does he look? No, don’t tell me. I don’t need to know.’

‘He doesn’t look as perfect as he does in all the photos.’

And that was the truth. All those images had been enhanced by the magic wand of creative advertising.

A touch of smoothing here, a bit of blending there…

though the chiselled strength, the carefully applied permatan, the silvery glimmer of a scar to one cheek, the easy grin and eyes so like his brother’s.

She shivered. Yeah, he was awful to look at. Not .

‘Good. It would be just like him to age like a fine wine. And what about the plan? If Blake isn’t being all that receptive…’

‘Doesn’t matter. The GM’s given them no choice but to give me what I need for as long as I need it.’

‘Excellent. And Aiden… do you… was he… do you think…?’

The line fell silent as her friend left the question hanging: Do you think he likes you?

‘He gave me a tour of the arena,’ Astrid said with a strained smile. ‘And now he’s taking me out for a drink, so I guess that’s a good sign.’

‘How come Blake didn’t join you if he’s the one that owes the apology?’

‘Like I said, he’s not a happy boy…’

‘Maybe that’s not a bad thing, if it gives you more time alone with Aiden. He’d do anything to help his brother and if that means wining and dining you then so be it.’

‘Are you saying he only wants me for my article, Sissi?’ she teased.

The door opened, sending another waft of ice-cold air her way.

‘Ha, no way. You’re hot!’ Sissi declared, sounding much more resolute now. ‘Go knock him dead, hun!’

She grinned, Sissi’s turnaround giving Astrid the oomph she needed to go back to the table and do exactly that.

‘I will, Sissi, and don’t?—’

‘Hey Foxy.’