Page 4 of Sinner’s Game

“Appreciate it, but I’m good.” Sheldon Cartwright was part of a different life. The final piece before Ronan could put the past behind him. Now wasn’t the time to start commingling his two worlds.

Devlin nodded slowly, clearly trying to figure Ronan out. “Fair enough, but if there is anything you need, don’t hesitate.”

“I know that, too.”

He stood almost at attention as Devlin’s steely gaze studied him, but Ronan knew he wouldn’t find his answers. Ronan was too damn good at hiding them.

After a moment, Devlin’s shoulders relaxed. “Want to come over later for a quick drink before you head to the airport? Ellie’d love to see you.”

“Can’t. I promised Brandy I’d fix her sink.”

“Oh?” The pitch of Devlin’s voice rose. “How interesting.”

“Mind out of the gutter, Saint,” Ronan said, wishing his own thoughts hadn’t gone in that direction, too. “She’s got a drip.”

Devlin grinned, and Ronan scowled. “No.” He said the word firmly, as much for himself as for Devlin.

“No to the gutter humor? Or no to Brandy?” Devlin asked.

“Both.”

Devlin circled his desk, curiosity in his eyes. “That’s another explanation you owe me.”

“Owe?”

“Another thing I’m curious about,” Devlin amended.

“What’s that?” Ronan asked, though he knew perfectly well.

Devlin tilted his head, almost as if he was surprised that Ronan was opening that door. Honestly, Ronan was too.

“All right,” Devlin said. “I want to know why, in all the time I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you date.”

“Sure you have.”

“No. I’ve seen you pick up women in bars. I’ve seen you leave with them. I’m pretty damn certain you fuck them, and I know you have a membership at Masque,” Devlin added, referring to an LA-based sex club where Ronan went when he needed to blow off steam. “But I’ve never seen you in a relationship.”

“I already knew you were observant. But what’s your point?”

“One, I’m curious as to why, but that’s my problem.” Devlin leaned against his desk. “You hardly owe me an explanation. But on the side that does touch me, Ellie and I both thought there might be something going on between you and Brandy.”

“You thought wrong.” Brandy Bradshaw might have wormed her way into his fantasies, but she wasn’t the kind of woman who could decorate his bed with no strings attached. She deserved a hell of a lot more than that.

Strings.

The word stuck with him, dredging up buried fantasies from his subconscious. That innocent, scarred woman bound and begging for him. And Ronan teasing her mercilessly, letting the pleasure build until she pleaded with him to please, please, please let her come.

No.

Not her. Never her.

She was better than that. Better than him, a man who found pleasure in a string of women who could make him forget. Women he paid handsomely in order to ensure both obedience and discretion. Women he could push, who understood his need to face all those dark places. To go right up to the edge of their limits.

But actually getting close to a woman? Opening his heart and settling into a relationship? Not happening. As far as Ronan was concerned, that was the hardest limit of all.

“Like you said, Devlin. You know me, even if you don’t know the why of it.”

“Fair enough. But I also know what I saw at the wedding.”