A Perfect Strategy. Anna Sugden

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СКАЧАТЬ you by being honest about the future. I’m sorry if you thought otherwise, but at no point did I suggest this was anything more than a fun time shared by two consenting adults.”

      Her earnest apology made him feel like a petulant jerk.

      She continued, “Aside from the fact that I don’t have the working life to date anyone seriously, I’m not interested in a relationship or getting married. I don’t have to answer to anyone and I do as I please, without feeling guilty.”

      “I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to be a jackass. I don’t know why I’m ticked. I’m not looking for a steady relationship right now either.” He gave her a chagrined smile. “I told you I didn’t know the etiquette for sleeping with someone these days. I guess I expected...more than this.” He waved a hand to encompass the room.

      Sapphie touched his arm. “You’re a great guy and this was fabulous. But that doesn’t change a thing. I’d be happy to see you when I’m in town. But if you can’t go with the flow and accept how it will be, then there’s no point in us getting together again.”

      He wanted to tell her he could handle things this way—especially for another weekend like the one they’d just spent. But he’d be lying to himself, as well as her. He might not know what he wanted from dating, or whatever the hell this situation was called, but he knew he wanted to be more than an itch to be scratched whenever she was in town. However much fun that might be.

      Still, he hesitated. Maybe over time he could convince her to change her mind.

      No. He cut off that idea ruthlessly. He wouldn’t make the mistake of being led into something he didn’t want because of great sex again. Better to make a clean break. Pull off the bandage and take the hit.

      Scott shoved his fingers through his hair. “Then I guess this is goodbye.”

      Disappointment flashed in her blue eyes, making him want to snatch back his words. But he held firm.

      She nodded once. “Your breakfast will be getting cold.”

      “Can’t let good food go to waste.” He leaned down and pressed a hot, hard kiss to her lips, stealing one last taste. Then he turned and sauntered to the balcony. “Safe travels.”

      He lifted one of the covers and breathed in the smell of bacon, hoping to replace her scent, which lingered in his nostrils. It didn’t work.

      “Thanks. Good luck, Scotty.”

      He didn’t watch her leave, choosing instead to focus on pouring maple syrup on a stack of pancakes.

      When the door snicked shut, he set down the bottle and slumped onto a chair.

      Scott sat for a long time, wondering how something so wonderful had gone so wrong. When he finally shook off the introspective mood, his stomach turned at the sight of the congealing breakfast. Like the arena horn sounding the end of a game, it signaled the end of the weekend.

      Time to move on. Tomorrow was another day...and all the other crap he’d cited to himself after tough losses.

      He rose, grabbed his jacket and, with one final look around the room, strode out the door.

      * * *

      “SO WHO WAS the lucky guy and did you have a fabulous time?”

      Sapphie hesitated before answering Issy’s question. She wasn’t sure what to say about the weekend with Scotty—especially the awkward, unsatisfactory way it had ended—and she knew her best friend wouldn’t settle for anything glib.

      Thankfully, the waitress in the airline’s first-class lounge stopped to ask if Sapphie would like anything to eat.

      “Hold on a sec, Issy.” She smiled at the waitress. “I’d love a club sandwich and a glass of Pinot Grigio. Thank you.” She returned to the phone conversation. “Sorry, but I’ve been on the go since Marty called this morning and this is the first chance I’ve had to eat something other than an in-flight packet of pretzels.”

      “No wonder you stay slim,” Issy said. “I’d have gnawed the seat in front of me.”

      “Trust me, you wouldn’t have if you’d seen the man in that seat. He was the epitome of an aging lothario, from his coiffed hair to his shiny suit and patent shoes, with lifts. Not to mention the eye-watering cologne.”

      “Eww. Even your description of him is enough to put me off my food.”

      Sapphie laughed. “This life isn’t as glamorous as you think.”

      “You sat a couple of seats away from Aidan Turner last month.”

      “And he was very charming.”

      “Speaking of charming, you never said who whisked you away from the reception. I know it wasn’t Taylor. He left early, too, but he was alone.”

      “What happened? He sent a text saying the night was a disaster, but I haven’t had the chance to catch up with him.” After arriving from New Jersey, she’d rushed to her apartment in Chicago to switch suitcases before heading back to O’Hare for her flight to LA.

      “From what I understand, there was some macho male posturing between Taylor and Lizzie’s date, which turned into shoving. One of them knocked into a waiter carrying a tray of drinks—which the date ended up wearing.”

      Sapphie winced. “Poor Mad Dog.” That hadn’t worked out quite as he’d planned.

      “Lizzie was embarrassed and gave him a piece of her mind. He stormed out of the party. You missed all the fun. But then, I’m guessing you were having your own fun.”

      She might as well tell her, before Issy applied the thumbscrews. “I was.” Sapphie paused, then said in a rush, “With Scotty Matthews.”

      There was a moment of stunned silence. “As in the recently retired Ice Cats captain?”

      “The very same.”

      Issy giggled. “If I wasn’t a happily married woman, I’d be so jealous. That’s even better than your Aidan Turner story. Scotty Matthews is totally and utterly H-O-T.”

      Sapphie rolled her eyes. “I don’t think my goddaughter is old enough to understand hot, let alone in that context.”

      “I’m not so sure. The way she batted her eyelashes at all the Ice Cats at our reception has J.B. threatening to lock her up until she’s fifty.”

      “To protect her from guys like him. Or rather, how he used to be.” The hotshot hockey star had been a real ladies’ man before he’d fallen in love with Issy. “No wonder he’s concerned. She’s inherited his charm, as well as his good looks.”

      “Excuse me. Her good looks came from my side of the family.”

      “Of course they did.”

      “Speaking of gorgeous, Scotty has that whole handsome, brooding, hidden-depths thing going on. I bet he’s intense in bed.”

      Desire tugged deep in her belly. “He’s very...focused. Single-minded.”

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