Her parents lived fifteen minutes from her, so they were both about the same distance to the stadium, but having Ryder meet her here wasn’t a good idea. Her father would be home soon, and her brothers would no doubt drop in. All they’d have to do was talk about work and disaster would strike. Definitely not the way she wanted him to find out about the family company.
It had to come from her. And it would.
She’d made up her mind to tell him, but not until she was back at work in the Poconos. This way, if he had an issue and tried to pull back, she would be near to do something about it. If she told him while in New York, there would be too much time and distance between them, and it was possible she’d never be able to bridge that gap.
“No.” She shook her head. She couldn’t, wouldn’t take that chance. “We’re meeting at my place. I need to change.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “As soon as Dad gets here.”
Of course, today of all days, he had to be late.
When he arrived ten minutes later, she kissed them both on the cheek and took off for home. With luck, she’d get there just before Ryder was due. He’d sent her a text when he’d gotten through the city. Twenty-eight minutes ago.
Luck, indeed was on her side, though. Traffic was surprisingly light for that time of day, especially on a game night. She lived about five miles from the ballpark and knew things could get hectic.
Snagging one of the few parking spots in front of her building, she got out, stepped onto the sidewalk, then noticed a very familiar, sexy, blue-eyed man leaning against an equally familiar silver car a few spots down.
Sophia’s heart leapt. “Ryder.” Smiling, she rushed into his open arms, loving the way they banded around her as his mouth found hers.
God, she missed this. Missed his kisses. Missed him.
Uncaring that she was in the middle of the sidewalk and that people had to walk around them, she eagerly gave intothe passion.
When they finally broke for air, he rested his forehead against hers—a move she really loved—and met her gaze. “Hi.” His eyes were dark and heated. “I needed that.”
“Me, too.” She grinned, running her palms over his shoulders to lock behind his head. “In fact, I think I may need a little more.”
“God…me, too,” he uttered against her mouth, and kissed her slower, deeper, apparently not caring about the whistles and snickers and sighs going on around them, either.
But the sound of tires screeching and doors slamming had them both breaking apart in time to see her brother and Gino glaring at them, from beside a white van withColarusso Constructionprinted on the side.
“What the hell?” Ryder’s gaze narrowed as he stared at the men and the truck.
Oh, God.
All the air in her lungs gathered to form a tight ball in her chest. This wasn’t happening, she thought to herself. Why in the world were her brother and Gino here? Her mind reeled and her chest squeezed, but she knew none of that was going to help defuse the situation.
“Sophia? Who is this guy?” Tony asked, suspicion darkening his eyes.
“Yeah, Sophia,” Gino piped up. “Who is this guy?”
Stiffening, Ryder transferred his attention back to her. “You know them? You know Colarusso?”
“Know them? Sheisthem,” Gino stated, with a pompous lift to a chin her fist itched to smack.
“Shut up, Gino,” her brother muttered, no doubt sensing her distraught state.
Ryder released her and stepped back. “All this time…and you said nothing?” The tiny sliver of light left in his eyes flickered and went out.
Sucking in some much needed air, she set her hand on his arm. “I can explain.”
“I want him to explain why he had his mouth on my fiancée,” Gino grumbled from behind.
Pain twisting his face, Ryder yanked free. “Fiancée?”
“No. We’re not engaged.” She stepped toward him, but he moved away. “Please, let me explain,” she said again, her chest crushed so tight she could barely breathe. “Ryder, please.”
But his gaze was closed and cold, miles past indifferent. “You had more than enough time for that,” he stated in a hard tone, before climbing in his car and driving away without a backward glance.
“You’re better off without that pretty boy, anyway,” Gino said, taking his life in his hands, because she was damn close to losing it.
