He had an agenda. She needed to figure out what it was for her own sanity.
Chapter Eight
Tor sat, disoriented. The clock beside his bed read three in the morning. Looked like he’d fallen asleep after all. The way he’d tossed and turned after the bar, he’d figured it would be another one of those restless nights where he watched the sun rise.
The phone ring registered in his sleep-drunk brain.
“Shit.” He sprang into action. His first thought was Olive. But the number on the screen was unfamiliar. One of the guys?
“Hello?” he said, frowning.
“It’s stupid to call, but I can’t sleep. I need to know why. Why’d you do it?”
The familiar woman’s voice jolted him like a triple-shot espresso. “Neve?”
“Do you enjoy messing with me, is that it?” Her tone was strained. “Because I’ve been going over tonight’s events with a fine-tooth comb and nothing adds up. I mean, you went and ate my face after informing my colleagues that I was a cold fish. Then you rearranged that dumbass frat boy’s face after he insulted me. Andthenthe coup de grace... an invite to a weekend away in Telluride? For your wife’s wedding?”
“She is my ex-wife,” he bit back. “Very muchex.”
“Still... color me confused, Coach.”
“What’s so hard to understand?” He kicked off the comforter and eased back against his headboard. A shaft of moonlight shone on the end of the bed; if he reached out he’d be able to touch it. “Who knows? Maybe I’m interested in getting to know you more.”
“Good story. Except does the phrase ‘fuck a penguin’ ring a bell?”
Shit.He’d said that. And the stupid cold fish comment. Both were knee-jerk reactions designed to deflect attention from the truth... that he couldn’t get enough of this maddening woman. He’d acted like a middle school doofus, teasing the girl he crushed on.
He wasn’t proud.
“All I can guess is that you must enjoy torturing your enemies.”
“Was kissing me torture?” His cock stirred in his boxer briefs at the memory.
“Don’t fuck around, Gunnar.”
“Nice mouth you’ve got.”
She made a choking sound. “Pot meet kettle.”
“I’ll be honest. Iaminterested, all right? I think you know that though. I think you’ve always known. And what’s more... I think you might be curious too.”
Silence dragged. For a second he wondered if she’d hung up. Maybe he was reading this all wrong.
“Well... this is an unexpected direction.”
“I’m full of surprises.” He raked a hand through his hair. The darkness made him honest. “But here’s more truth. I’m glad you agreed to come to the wedding. I’m glad you said yes.”
“It can’t be an easy event.” She cleared her throat. “I mean, you loved your ex, right?”
“Once upon a time. But it wasn’t a fairy tale. We’ve been co-parents for years and it’s Olive who wants me there.”
“Your daughter.”
“She’s ten.” Not many things made him smile on demand, but Olive always did. “And I don’t want you worrying about logistics. We’ll have separate rooms. I’ve already called the hotel. I’m not looking to take advantage of you.”
“I see,” she replied, sounding a little confused. He didn’t blame her. Nor was he being entirely truthful.
Their chemistry was undeniable. Hell yes he wanted to take advantage. He wanted to take her every which way and twice on Sunday.
