He leaned back in his seat. “Nah. We’re obviously platonic friends. Not like those two.” He tipped his head in the direction of the dance floor, where Cindy and Miguel were locked tightly together.
A real pang of envy flooded Sophie, for what she’d had with Riley and what they’d never have again. She turned away from the sight of Cindy and her new love.
The waitress returned, this time with a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne. “He’s stubborn. He said to ask how you liked the flowers.”
“I’ve received so many I lost count,” she muttered.
The other woman laughed. “Apparently he knew you’d say that, because he said to tell you that his name is Steve Harris and his were the two dozen red ones along with chocolates from your favorite store.”
Sophie shivered, recalling asking Nicki, their temp, how the man knew where to buy her chocolates. Nicki had assumed Sophie wouldn’t mind and had questioned Sophie’s secretary, then divulged the information to the stranger. Sophie had nearly fired her on the spot. Only her begging and promise not to mess up again had saved her job.
Roper laughed. “Do you like persistent men?” he asked Sophie.
She rubbed her forehead with her hand. “I have a splitting headache and this man’s pushiness is borderline scary.” She waved away the second bottle. “Please tell him no thank you and I’m not going to change my mind.” Sophie had had enough and rose from her seat. “No offense, but I really need to go home.”
John immediately stood, too. “Are you taking a cab?”
She nodded.
“I’ll walk you out and help you hail one.” Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew some bills and left them on the table.
She placed a hand on his forearm. “You stay,” she urged. “Why should you lose a perfectly good table just because I’m a spoilsport?”
He raised an eyebrow. “You sure?”
She nodded. “Tell Cindy I’ll see her at work in the morning, okay?”
“No problem. You take care.” He gave her a friendly hug.
Sophie smiled. “Thanks, John.”
A few minutes later, she’d wound her way through the crowded bar and ended up on the street. The sun had set while they were inside and a warm breeze, too warm for the time of year, settled on her shoulders.
She brushed her heavy bangs off her forehead and searched uptown for a taxi with a light indicating it was vacant, but typical of New York City at night, she had a long wait.
Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder. She whirled around and found herself face-to-face with Steve Harris, the man who’d sent her the flowers, chocolate and both bottles from the bar. Bottles she’d turned down. And he didn’t appear too pleased with her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
RILEY WAS PISSED OFF. Sophie had deliberately ignored him, and Mike, hoping to work the jealousy angle in Riley’s favor, had hooked them up with two gorgeous women at the bar. Mike had taken off with one of them in a cab, assuming Riley would do the same, but Riley’s interest wasn’t there. Not one iota.
There’d been no point in going home with her when he wouldn’t have been able to get it up. He didn’t want to be with any woman other than Sophie and to pretend otherwise just to soothe his ego had been a damn stupid move.
They’d had to walk a long way to find an empty taxi, but eventually he’d hailed her a cab and sent her on her way alone. Then he headed back to the sports bar. No sooner had he turned the corner where Quarters was located than he heard the sound of Sophie’s voice.
“What part of
A guy Riley didn’t recognize stood too close, invading her personal space. Riley hadn’t liked it when he’d seen her with Roper, a baseball player he knew by sight not acquaintance, and he liked this even less. He stepped closer so he could hear the conversation.
“Come on. I saw the interview on TV. You’re single and available. How many guys bother to find out where you buy your favorite chocolates? Quit playing hard-to-get.” The jerk placed a hand on her arm, which Sophie promptly shrugged off.
Riley stiffened.
“Back off,” she warned the guy in an angry tone, one tinged with fear.
“Are you trying to tell me you like it rough?” the guy asked.
“She doesn’t, but apparently you do.” Riley had had enough and he lunged forward, shoving the guy away from Sophie with enough force to make him stumble backward on the sidewalk.
“Hey! Mind your own business,” the guy said, pulling himself together.
“She
The other man shot him a disbelieving look. “That’s not what her uncle said on television and it’s not what it looked like in the bar.”
“But it is what I’m telling you and unless you want me to smash your face into that building over there, I suggest you take my word for it.” Riley took another menacing step forward, knowing his adrenaline was pumping and his body primed for a fight.
“Riley, no!” Sophie grabbed his arm and held on tight.
Only her panicked voice kept him from taking a swing.
“Okay, okay.” Sophie’s attacker backed off first. “She’s probably not worth much in the sack anyway,” he said, stepping away.
Riley waited until the man had disappeared around the corner before facing Sophie. “You okay?”
Her cheeks were flushed pink, her blue eyes flashing with a mixture of emotion. “I am too worth something in bed,” she muttered.
Riley burst out laughing, then reached to run his hands up and down her arms. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She nodded. “I’m fine.” But she swayed slightly, making her words a lie.
“You’re dizzy.”
“Light-headed. There’s a difference. Dizziness is usually vertiginous. You know, vertigo, the sensation of spinning like a top. I’m just light-headed and unsteady on my feet-” She suddenly paused, her eyes narrowing, focused on his face. “What’s with the smile?” she asked.
“You’re just so predictable. If a situation makes you uncomfortable, you reach for the safety of an explanation. That’s all.”
“First I’m not worth much in bed and then I’m predictable?” Her voice rose, trembling with what he guessed was a release of the fear she’d experienced.
He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. “The first is untrue. I can vouch for how good you are firsthand.”
He inhaled and his body hardened at the familiar, intoxicating scent. He reminded himself she needed reassurance, not another come-on, but he almost lost it when a purr of contentment escaped from her throat.
“Let me get you home,” he said in a voice rough with desire.
Sophie stepped back. “This is where I should tell you I can get home all by myself.” But she was too tired to play games and too scared to actually let him leave. And she wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
She ran her hand through her hair. “My uncle means well, but someday he’s going to be the death of me. Things were awkward after he did the initial interview, but since
Riley frowned. “You didn’t say anything about that today.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t think it would get so out of hand. Besides you’re not responsible for me.” Even if she liked it when he took charge.
Sometimes she grew tired of being the one who oversaw everything in order to prevent problems or tragedy.
