ROMANCE: THE SHEIKH'S GAMES: A Sheikh Romance (77 page)

“Ryder, Lyla Peterson is on the line,” Mimi interrupted his thoughts over their shared intercom.

He pulled himself away from the rain reluctantly and picked up the phone. “Lyla, so good to hear from you.” Lyla was President of a private school organization that oversaw more than 60 schools across the U.S. and Canada. Their focus was on students with learning disabilities, autism and any other obstacles to traditional learning. He’d tried to get her on the phone for weeks.

“Ryder, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. We’ve just opened a school in Connecticut and the homeschool parents are being difficult.”

That was a new one. “Why?”

“Because a dozen of their students have been enrolled at New Day and they don’t like it. They’re terrified I’ll be teaching evolution and sex ed,” she laughed but it was more frustrated than humorous. “Listen Ryder, I’m interested in your services but I don’t want a pre-existing program. I want you to create a few programs specific to the needs of our students.”

A smile spread across his face. This was the next step in growing Edu-Tech and Lyla had jumpstarted the process with her request. “That is wonderful to hear. I can send Hunter to you to get the information we’ll need and he can answer any questions you might have. He’s my brother and in charge of Business Development.”

Lyla scoffed. “No offense, Ryder, but no thank you. The last thing I need is some handsome charmer who’ll charm me before I get what I need. I’ve seen your brother and while I’m sure he gets the job done, I need the CEO.”

He nodded, respecting her honesty. “Okay then. Let me check with Mimi and see when I can fit in a trip to California.” He shot off an email to Mimi while he spoke and noticed Hunter at the door. “I’ll have Mimi call you as soon as we have a few days open, probably next week sometime.” They said their goodbyes and ended the call. He took a moment to enjoy the good news before his brother would inevitably ruin it.

“Stealing my job, Ryder?”

“Not at all. This isn’t something you can really do and she requested the CEO.”

Arms crossed defiantly, Hunter tilted his chin up. “What exactly is it that I can’t do, Ryder because just a week ago you were singing my praises.”

Here we go, he thought as exhaustion began to set in. “She wants custom made software and since I’m the one with the programming background she asked for me. Is that a problem?”

Hunter rolled his eyes. “I guess not. So I went out with Skylar a few nights ago. Cold fish.”

His jaw clenched but his face was blank. “And why do I care about this?”

“It’s called conversation Ryder, it’s how humans interact.” Something was up with him, but Hunter didn’t know what.

“Thanks for the lesson but I have work to do.”

Hunter grunted. “Of course you do. Never time to sit and talk with your brother, or is it that Mr. CEO is too important?” He taunted him because he hated that Ryder was so dismissive.

“You want me to ask about your, what, one thousandth conquest? Why? Go find someone else to brag to.” He didn’t want to hear one detail of Hunter’s night with Skylar. He wasn’t sure he could sit through it without bloodying his brother’s perfect face.

Hunter looked closely at the strain around his eyes and his clenched jaw. He suspected Ryder might be angry or jealous, but it didn’t make sense. Everyone knew Ryder didn’t date and he didn’t mess around with anyone involved with the company. “Fine, whatever. You know Ryder, one day you’re going to wake up and find yourself completely alone.”

“Your point?” At Hunter’s silence, he scoffed. “Oh right, you want to be my friend? Give it up Hunter, I know you can stand me.”

Hunter was stunned. He thought their competition was friendly and fun, he never realized Ryder thought he didn’t like him. “You’re my brother, of course I can stand you.”

“Is that why you’re so quick to tell people we’re step brothers?” He didn’t know what Hunter’s angle was, but he knew there was one. Then he stilled. Had Skylar told him about their last meeting? He looked closely at his brother’s face, looking for any trace that he knew.

“It’s the truth, we are.”

“Right. Is that all?”

“I wanted to ask your advice about something. I have another date with Skylar and I thought you might know why she’s not feeling me.”

“Why would I kno—, oh I see. She told you. Well I don’t know a damn thing about the woman and certain don’t know what she likes or dislikes.”

“Told me what?” Hunter leaned forward, fear washed over him at the thought he had missed something important. “What, Ryder?”

“Nothing, it’s irrelevant. I really can’t help you Hunter, you’re the charming one so…charm her.”

A cold chill crept up his back and Hunter didn’t know why or what to do about it. “Fine Ryder, sorry to have bothered you.”

“It’s no bother,” he said sincerely. “I just don’t have any answers. Sorry.” Hunter nodded and stood, raking a hand through his hair and walking away. “Hunter,” he called after his brother. “Sometimes you can be too charming, try to tone it down with her.”

He gave a sad smile and said, “Thanks, Ry.” He turned and practically ran into Mimi on his way out. “Hey Mimi,” he stopped and took in her beautiful face, full of pain once again.

“Hunter.” She ignored him and stepped inside Ryder’s office. “So Lyla Peterson, that’s good news.”

“Yep.”

“I’ve blocked out three days at the end of next week.”

“Great thanks Mimi.”

“So you gave him advice. On how to woo the woman that you want for yourself. Are you up for a saint aware or something?”

He glared at her. “Why shouldn’t I help him? She didn’t even want to go out with me so it doesn’t matter how I feel.” Ryder had never been blind to his brother’s charms and the way women fell at his feet, but this was the first time it had hurt. It was a physical ache he could not escape no matter what he did. Every time he tried to block it out, all he could see was her face contorted in horror and it all came back again.

“Yeah well that doesn’t mean you need to help him. He doesn’t need your help and if the situation was reversed, he wouldn’t help you.”

“I don’t know that and neither do you. Hunter isn’t a bad guy Mimi, he just doesn’t like me.”

“Or me.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be Ryder. I’m not.”

“Liar,” he smiled.

“Brat.”

Hunter stood outside his brother’s office, gutted by what he’d heard. Ryder had asked Skylar out and she turned him down, yet he’d still helped Hunter. Mimi was right, he wouldn’t have done something as selfless as that. But Ryder had because there was no reason for him not to. He felt like a jerk, more because Ryder thought he didn’t like him. That was his biggest regret. Well, that and Mimi. He tiptoed quietly down the hall and took the elevator to his office.

***

As Skylar sat at a deep red booth inside the trendy Tapas bar and restaurant, she was already regretting she’d ever agreed to this date. Hunter had walked in the door ten minutes ago and still hadn’t made it over to where she sat…waiting for him. He flirted with the busty hostess with the sexy olive skin for a few minutes, before he winked and moved on to the busty bartender with the pink streaks in her blonde hair. They did a shot together, then another and then she whispered something in his ear that made him laugh so hard he had to wipe tears from his eyes. She watched him chat with a short man who she pegged as the owner or manager. They ogled a waitress in tight black pants as she slid between them carrying two pitchers of sangria.

When a waitress stopped at her table, she ordered a large red sangria and sent thanks up to the universe that she’d taken a cab tonight. Sometimes having a temperamental car worked out for the best. She knew that whatever happened tonight, she would need the sangria to keep her from castrating Hunter Cross. “Can I get the Whoa Baby tapas platter too, please?” The waitress nodded and walked away.

She wouldn’t sit back and wait for Hunter to grace her with his presence. She would enjoy the food, whatever in the hell tapas were, drink the sangria and enjoy a night catching up on The Big Bang Theory. Whether he showed at her table or not, because it was her table, she would enjoy the lively party atmosphere just long enough to satisfy her hunger and then take a taxi home.

Watching Hunter smile that dimpled smile and charm every man and woman in sight, made her think about Ryder and his dark good looks. He was a tad awkward and more than a little abrupt but he was sweet and gorgeous. If she was in the market for something more, he would be right up her alley. As it was, her reaction to him had caused a rift between them she wasn’t sure would ever be healed. The only positive was that it hadn’t cost them the contract, which just went to show how stupid she really was. A man who had the power to screw her over, but chose not to because he was a good guy, was a truly good man. She took a long gulp of her sangria, glad that she had made a mess of things with Ryder. With his looks, inhere goodness and the chemistry between them, she would turn her life upside down for a man like that. If she were looking for a man like that.

But her plan had backfired because she’d chosen a man who was nice to look at but had nothing under his beautiful surface. She’d chosen shallow to passion and tonight she paid the price.

“Skylar, when did you get here?” Hunter leaned down and kissed her cheek with a bit too much force.

She glared at him, unaffected by his charming smile. “About fifteen minutes before you walked in.”

He smiled, glad she wouldn’t let him get away with being a bastard. “Really? You should have said something.”

If looks could kill, Hunter would’ve keeled over and died on the spot. “Why would I have done that Hunter? Didn’t you come here to meet me for dinner?”

He took a seat across from her. “You know I did.”

“Then why didn’t you scan the room for me or, I don’t know, ask the hostess if I had arrived yet?” He opened his mouth but she held a hand up to stop him. “Don’t bother. I don’t really care, I’m still here because I’ve already ordered my food.”

He groaned. “You ordered without me?”

“I wasn’t sure you’d even stop by my table.” She gave him a sickly sweet smile that she hoped was menacing.

“Of course I would, babe. That’s why I’m here. For you.” He flashed her that panty dropping smile but he noticed she didn’t smile or blush or give any indication she was affected. “So tell me Skylar, how was your day?”

“It was fine. Busy. How was yours?” She waved the waitress over for another drink.

“It was pretty good. I’ve been working the leads brought in by social media and it’s looking good.” No matter how things played out tonight, he was still impressed by the work her firm had done.

The waitress returned with her platter and another glass of sangria. “Thanks,” she said politely and dug in while Hunter ordered. She ate her fried baby squid while the waitress pushed her boobs in Hunter’s face and flirted like it was her job.

“Hunter you’re funny,” she giggled and touched his arm, making Skylar roll her eyes. “I bet we’d have a great time if we went out.”

Skylar sipped her sangria and said, “Hint, hint” loud enough for them to hear.

Hunter stifled a laugh. He enjoyed this smart, sarcastic version of Skylar. Too bad Ryder wanted her because he had a feeling he could really like her, even though nothing would ever come of it. Nothing could. “Well sugar, maybe some time soon. How about you get me a scotch and some albondigas?”

“Wow,” she said as she bit into a marinated olive. “I’ve never been completely ignored like that.”

He shrugged. “If you looked like this no one would ever ignore you.” He wiggled his eyebrows and ran a hand through his wavy locks.

She wanted to laugh but refused to reward his bad behavior. “Since busty waitresses aren’t my type, I think I’m good.” This was possibly the worst date she had ever been on but she refused to leave until she finished eating. “I won’t be offended if you want to go chat with your friends.”

He looked at her, stunned. “Why would I want to do that?”

She gave him an, are you kidding me look. “Because your head is swiveling so much I think it’s about to roll right off.” She shook her head in disgust and dug in to her stuffed mussels. “It’s fine” Her words were cut off by the approach of a sexy Asian girl wearing leather. Leather!

“Hi Hunter baby. It’s good to see you.” She bent over and pressed her plump pink lips against his, and moaned into the kiss.

It went on and on and on until even Skylar felt uncomfortable. She dropped her fork loudly on the plate and when that didn’t work, she stood and went to her busty waitress. “Excuse me, can you have my platter put in a to go bag and get my bill? I’ll be by the cash register, thanks.” The girl gave her a strained smile until she caught a glimpse of Hunter mouth locked with Leather Girl, and gave her a pitying smile.

“Sure thing. Just give me a sec.”

A few minutes later she had two small boxes inside a bag and a check for Skylar. The boxes were still warm and she smiled. If the cab ride was quick enough she could eat it warm when she got home. “Thanks,” she said as she signed the receipt. “Keep the change.” She heard the waitress’ surprise ‘thanks’ as the door closed behind her. She sent Kendra a text to let her know she was on her way home. Well that’s a date I’ll never forget.

Her phone rang and she picked it up before looking at the screen, a fact she regretted until she heard her aunt’s soft voice. “Sky sweetheart, how are you?”

She sighed wistfully and a real smile touched her mouth. “Aunt Marie, I’ve just come back from the world’s worst date, that’s how I am. How are you?”

“Was he at least a good lover?”

“Aunt Marie! I didn’t sleep with him, it was the second, and last date.” She heard the chuckles on the other end of the line.

“Oh dear, what is the arbitrary date number for sex these days?”

She had no idea but that wasn’t the point. “Aunt Marie, we are not having this conversation.”

“Oh psh, dear! I need your help and I’m hoping you’ll come spend a few days with me.”

“I’m not sure if I can. When do you need me?”

“If you can come sometime next week, that would be great. I have something in the works and I could use your expertise. I’ll pay you of course, dear.”