"Never mind. You were desperate. I get it." Alex repeated what he'd said the first time she told him what she'd done. She'd been so upset with herself, and she'd felt worse when he hadn't even gotten angry. He'd merely pulled her into a hug.

When Alex was being rational, his jealousy and bitterness over how Ian treated him didn't come into play. She'd always sensed Alex would be more open to Ian and his brothers if Ian would do the same.

Alex took a long pull of beer. "The least he could have done was return your call."

"Well, maybe it's for the best. You know how much I hate asking for help. This way, I don't owe him anything."

An annoyed sound rumbled from deep in Alex's chest. "Yes, your best friend who makes millions knows how much you hate asking, taking, or even accepting help."

She shrugged, knowing how much she frustrated him, living in her one-bedroom apartment without a doorman. He considered her like one of his sisters and wanted her to move to a better neighborhood, but she was happy in her s.p.a.ce and wanted to live on her own salary. She'd always felt the need to prove she could stand on her own, was worthy on her own merits, no matter what her father used to say.

"You're a pain in the a.s.s," he said.

"At least you know I love you for yourself."

"Amen to that, sweetheart." He tipped his bottle her way. "I still can't believe the SOB didn't call you back," Alex said, returning to the subject of Ian. "It's not like I left the d.a.m.n message," he muttered.

Remembering that kiss and the electricity that had practically crackled in the air around them, she was surprised too. Hadn't Ian been at least curious about what she'd wanted? If she weren't so upset about her career and her future, her feminine ego might be hurt.

"I nearly kicked his a.s.s today," Alex said.

Riley choked on her soda. "You did what? Where did you see him?" She sat up straighter.

"I headed over to the draft hotel. I figured he needed to know what a selfish a.s.shole he is."

"Alex," she groaned. She closed her eyes and leaned back against the sofa. "Couldn't you have left it alone?" Embarra.s.sment already filled her at the thought of Ian's ignoring her call, let alone Alex confronting him over it.

"No, I could not. He needed to be taken down a peg. But don't worry. Dad was there, so we didn't get violent."

She glared at him from across the table.

"And I didn't tell him you lost your job either."

She exhaled long and hard. "Well, at least you spared me that."

He grinned. "Did I mention some of my teammates are coming by for poker tonight? You up to staying? You know the guys enjoy your company."

She groaned. "No thanks." She made a face. She wasn't in the mood for the guys or their crude humor.

He rose to his feet, collecting the pizza box. She stood and grabbed the empties. They cleaned up with an ease born of years of friendship. "Appreciate you being here for me," she said again.

"Always, Ri." He reached out to ruffle her hair, but, expecting the move, she ducked before he could reach her.

By the time she arrived home, she was exhausted. It didn't help that during the drive home, she'd mentally mapped out her future options, which mostly consisted of sending resumes to the big sports and distribution chains, some out of state. The thought of having to start over, prove her worth, and work her way back up the corporate ladder once more made her sick.

She loved Miami and didn't want to leave her stepmother or Alex and her other friends. There were other smaller local companies she planned to scope out, so all wasn't lost yet. And until all was lost, she wouldn't mention it to Alex. He'd only get upset and insist on helping. Obviously, people would bend over backwards to help the superstar, and his best friend by extension, but Riley really wanted to try and find a job on her own first.

She let herself into her building, walked up one flight to her apartment, and was startled to find someone waiting outside her door. Even in the dimly lit hall, she recognized Ian Dare's tall frame, dark hair, and handsome features. Excitement bubbled up inside her, followed by wariness.

"Finally," he said, leading her to believe he'd been standing there awhile.

She fought against her rapidly beating heart. "What are you doing here?"

He pushed off the wall and strode toward her. "Do you realize I walked into the building without being buzzed in? I just followed behind a couple who were too busy groping each other to pay attention to who was entering behind them."

He didn't have to further sum up his point. Riley already knew the argument well from Alex and her stepmom. "It's perfectly safe. I carry mace and I'm careful. And you still haven't answered my question."

Ian ran a hand through his hair, taking the time to tamp down on the anger that had been brewing inside him as he waited for her in this tiny hall that, despite her claim, was far from safe.

Not for a woman with her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s and curvy hips. Not for a woman with that ma.s.s of untamed hair and wild beauty, dressed in a short denim skirt with a ruffled edge and black sleeveless top that bared a hint of her stomach.

He fought for control over his libido and the desire to take her in every way imaginable. "I realize I didn't return your call, but I'm here now."

She met his gaze, brave and unwavering. "Go home. Whatever I needed from you, it's too late now."

His eyes narrowed. "That's what Alex said, but he refused to elaborate. He said it was your business, so I came to the source. I was busy this week. I had meetings for the draft, and I couldn't call you back."

She raised an eyebrow. "Bull. I'm guessing there are a whole host of reasons why you didn't get back to me. At the top of the list is that you hate Alex."

"I don't hate him." He clenched his hands and released them again, searching for focus. "Riley, you left me a message. Just tell me why."

"It's too late." She walked toward him as she spoke.

She pa.s.sed him by, heading for her door, key in hand. "I already lost my job," she said as she slipped inside her apartment.

The door slammed closed behind her, leaving him basking in her scent.

"Son of a b.i.t.c.h." He knocked hard.

When she didn't answer, he tried again.

And again.

Worst-case scenario, he'd settle into the hallway for the night and wait to catch her when she left again in the morning. Unwilling to do that, he banged on the door again.

In the middle of his knock, she swung the door open wide.

"Fine. Come in," she said, her eyes narrowed and wary.

He stepped inside. Once enclosed in her small apartment, her luscious scent wrapped around him once more. His c.o.c.k took a definite hit as desire filled him along with that burning need only she inspired. Knowing those feelings wouldn't be welcome, he took in her s.p.a.ce. Bright colors on the walls, eclectic pieces of furniture, and a warm feel. She knew how to take a tiny area and make it feel like a true home.

"Can I get you something to drink?" she asked.

"No. I just want to know what happened."

She expelled a deep breath, causing her b.r.e.a.s.t.s to rise and fall beneath the flimsy material. He glanced down, trying not to ogle her cleavage because that made him want to test the weight of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. And once he started touching her, he wouldn't be able to stop. Instead, he noticed her toenails were painted a bright orange, one toe surrounded by a thin silver ring. Even her f.u.c.king feet were s.e.xy.

"I worked for Blunt Sporting Goods," she said, unaware of his train of thought. "I was head of their distribution and sales department. The company was sold; the new boss is an a.s.s and began laying people off. I pulled a Hail Mary and told him I had an in with you, that I could get some of our products distributed to the team. He gave me until Friday to get back to him with something substantial. I called. You didn't. End of story." She strode over to the door and swung it open, obviously eager to get rid of him.

He stared in stunned surprise. "You told him that after meeting me for the first time on Sat.u.r.day night?"

She raised her chin. "Yep."

"After our kiss."

Her cheeks turned a healthy pink. "Mmm-hmm."

"After you walked away from me without a second glance."

She blinked up at him. "I looked back," she said softly.

He narrowed his gaze. "You've got nerve."

"So I've been told." She grinned.

He smiled back.

She obviously realized they were sharing a moment and turned off the megawatt grin. "So now you know. You can go now." She tilted her chin toward the hallway.

Pride. She had it in spades and didn't like him knowing she'd lost her job. He respected that. Too bad he wasn't about to leave her now.

He shook his head, silently telling her he was staying. The guilt he'd felt when his brother told him he'd caused Riley problems was only magnified now that he knew how. Based on how angry Alex had been on her behalf, he cared about her deeply. He looked after her. And that was something else Ian could respect. Friendship with his half brother, Ian could work around.

But first, there was the issue of her job.

"I realize you don't know me, but you're going to. Because you brought me into your world by calling me, I caused a problem for you. Now I'm obligated to fix it."

She leaned against the still-open door. "You can't, because we both know you're committed to whoever you already purchase from, and I shouldn't have opened my big mouth."

So she'd realized the way of things in the business. Although that ought to alleviate his guilt over her losing her job, it didn't. "Maybe not, but if I'd returned your call, there are other people I could have referred you to who could have given your company business."

"We'll never know, now will we?"

"About that? No." Pretending to be tough and unconcerned didn't fool him for a second.

She lived in this building, in a not-great part of town, because it was all she could afford. With Ian's background in owning investment property, he could figure out her approximate income and rent and knew, though she might have a small savings, she couldn't afford to be unemployed for an extended period of time. So she'd panicked and called him, which meant he owed her.

But that wasn't why he was still here. He wanted to help. She might not let his brother do it, but Ian d.a.m.ned well intended to.

"What are your plans now?" he asked.

She slowly shut the door, obviously realizing he had no intention of leaving. "I'll send out resumes like any job-seeking person would," she said, as if he were dense not to have figured her next step out for himself.

"Or you could come work for me."

The color drained from her face. "You're offering me a job. With the Thunder."

He nodded.

"Doing...?"

If she was questioning, she wasn't saying no, and his heart rate sped up at the possibility of seeing her day in and day out. "That remains to be seen. I know we have some openings. We'll see what fits best."

She swallowed hard and remained silent, but the color had returned to her cheeks. "So I wouldn't be working directly for you."

Interesting the thought of working with him fl.u.s.tered her. Good, because that meant she wasn't immune, no matter how high a wall she'd erected between them.

"No, you won't be working for me. I can't have that."

She wrinkled her nose, making him want to reach out and stroke her soft skin.

"Why not?" she asked.

He stepped closer, and when she didn't back away, closer still, until mere inches separated them. "Because I intend to get to know you personally, Riley Taylor. So I can't be mixing business with pleasure."

Her breath caught, but she remained in place, those huge blue eyes watching him with a mix of wary curiosity and definite desire. He wanted to kiss her again, to lose himself in that luscious mouth, then press her against the wall and thrust into her warm, wet body.

s.h.i.t.

He tore his gaze from hers, reminding himself to slow the f.u.c.k down. He hadn't gotten her to agree to take a position with the team. A job was her priority, and that meant it was his as well.

Using all the willpower he had, he straightened his shoulders and stepped away first. "Come to the stadium tomorrow morning and ask for Olivia Dare. My sister will find the appropriate fit for you with the organization."

"I can't take charity." She folded her arms across her chest. In her defensive stance, he saw the secrets that Alex knew.

The ones that held the key to understanding this complicated woman. Before he was finished, he intended to know her inside and out.

He remained apart, giving her s.p.a.ce. "It's not charity when I owe you for not returning your call. It's not nepotism, favoritism, or any other ism you might come up with either."

She pursed her lips, obviously wavering.

His gaze lingered on her mouth, the desire to take it overwhelming, but he refrained. "You were willing to call me and ask me to do business with you. Consider this a similar opportunity. If you can't do the job, you're out on your a.s.s, the same as anyone else." He gave her the honest truth. He wouldn't keep her on the payroll if she couldn't perform.

"So? What will it be?"

In the ensuing silence, all the possible things Ian wanted to do to her, with her, pa.s.sed in front of his eyes until he was convinced she'd say no.

"I'll be there in the morning," she finally said, extending her hand for him to shake.

Finally, he thought, grasping her smaller fingers in his. A jolt of awareness ricocheted through him.

Her slight gasp told him she'd felt it too.

He raised a hand and brushed his thumb over her lower lip. Her eyes widened, and her mouth parted in surprise. Warm breath fluttered over his finger, and the sensation went straight to his groin.

He slid his hand over her cheek, cupping her jaw in his palm.

"You do things to me," he murmured, grazing her soft skin with his thumb.