I frowned, annoyed at how he flirted with her – and disturbed by the fact that I was annoyed. I folded my arms.
“Hang up that phone right now!” I heard Ronan growl angrily in the background. There were a few loud footsteps, as though Annie was running to get away from him. I heard the click of a lock, like she’d just shut herself inside the bathroom. Sean and I shared identical expressions of confusion. When Annie spoke again, she sounded breathless as she shouted to Ronan. “Let me talk to him. You’re too stubborn for your own good sometimes.”
“Unlock the door, Annie, I mean it,” Ronan demanded.
“Hi, uh, sorry about this,” said Annie, speaking to Sean again and letting out a nervous laugh. “My fiancé is being difficult.”
“What else is new?” Sean chuckled, like he was thoroughly enjoying this unexpected interaction. Anything to get one over on my brother. I sighed and moved closer to him, resting my head next to the other side of the phone so I could hear better.
“Yes, well.” Annie cleared her throat. “I’ve called because I need your help and Ronan is too proud to ask you himself. He, William Moore, and Bryan Leech have been contracted for a sportswear photo shoot with Adidas in New York this weekend. Unfortunately, William’s fallen ill and won’t be able to attend, so I was wondering if you’d be interested in replacing him?”
“I already have a deal with Puma. I’m not sure my contract will allow it.”
Annie heaved an audible sigh. “You rugby players and your sponsorship deals.”
Sean grinned. “I take it I’m not the first person you called.”
“No,” she answered sheepishly. “Ronan isn’t exactly your biggest fan. I actually called your agent first. She said she was under strict instructions not to schedule any promo work during your break, but I thought I’d call to see if you’d be interested in doing us a favor. I know you probably don’t want to come all the way to the U.S., but I think this would be a great way for you and Ronan to mend some bridges.”
I heard my brother let out a loud, derisive laugh in the background. Clearly, he had his ear to the door, listening in just like I was. Annie had no clue Sean was already stateside.
“Your husband-to-be doesn’t sound very convinced,” said Sean with a smile in his voice.
“Let me deal with Ronan,” Annie stated firmly.
He cast his gaze on me mischievously. “You know what? New York is sounding a lot more appealing these days.”
My heart pounded at the prospect of yet more time in the same general area as Sean Cassidy.
“So you’ll do it?” Annie asked, a hint of relief in her voice.
“I’ll have my lawyer look through the Puma contract and get back to you. If he says it’s okay to be affiliated with another brand, then yes, I’ll do it.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
The moment he hung up he came at me. “Now, where were we?”
When he began sliding his arms around my waist I pulled away, my heart racing. “We shouldn’t have kissed.”
His hooded, aroused expression morphed into a frown. “I see . . .”
“I don’t mess around with rugby players, and being with you is a really bad idea for a number of reasons.”
“Such as?”
“Sean,” I narrowed my eyes at him, “just moments ago you told me I shouldn’t like you.”
“Humor me. Tell me why it’s a bad idea.” He was entirely too close, but he made no move to touch me with anything but his gaze.
I angled my chin. “Well, for one I’m not your type.”
Sean lifted an eyebrow and wrapped his arm around my waist. He brought me flush against him, pressing my belly against his dick, which was hard as steel beneath the fabric of his jeans. “Obviously, you’re wrong.”
I swallowed and tried not to think about the size of him, because God, the size of him. I also wondered if he’d maintained his erection all through the phone call with Annie, or was he just that quick to get it up again?
That thought was both intoxicating and sobering.
I had no words, especially considering the sexy I want to devour you look on his face. The universe must have heard my plea, because right at that moment the heavens opened and rain began pouring down.
“It’s raining. We should go.” I hurriedly pushed him away and turned to start the hike back down. I almost expected him to argue, but he didn’t.
Silently, he picked up the picnic basket and followed my lead. Neither of us spoke the whole way down, and by the time we reached the retreat the tension between us was unwieldy. Also, I was soaked to the skin.
When I realized my nipples were peeking through my wet clothes, I folded my arms across my chest as I turned back to Sean, unable to meet his eyes. “I’ll, uh, I’ll see you later.”