Free Going All the Way by Cynthia Cooke Page B

dinner. Suddenly, more than anything, he wanted to find out.
    His gaze dropped down and caught an eyeful of lace hugging her soft breasts through the v in her neckline. He swallowed. “I’d like to stay and have another glass of wine.” He cleared his throat and focused on her eyes. Beautiful eyes. Warm eyes. “But I need to get back to work or Stu Steinhem will cut me a new one.”
    She stilled, her smile faltering, her eyes widening with surprise and dismay.
    “What is it? What’s wrong?” he asked.
    She took a step back and turned toward the door. “Nothing. I…uh, thought I heard Riley. I’ll go get him.”
    Riley? He didn’t hear anything.
    She unlocked her front door and quickly slipped through, leaving him standing on the stoop alone and bewildered.
    What the hell had happened? He shook his head. She was beginning to master the art of getting him hot and then leaving him cold. Whatever was going on with her, it was just as well. He needed to get hold of himself and focus on his job. His pretty new neighbor was way too tempting, and obviously more than he could handle.

Chapter Eight
    The next morning, Carrie pulled out her camera, fitted it with a telephoto lens, and made sure the batteries were charged and a fresh memory card was inserted. She was taking Riley to the park. She’d take lots of pictures, then start a new painting, and try not to think about the fact that she’d almost kissed Ryan again. That she wanted to kiss Ryan again. No matter how strongly she told herself to keep her distance, she couldn’t. There was something between them. She didn’t know what, but she felt good with him. Comfortable. Easy. And he was so damned sexy. She definitely would have kissed him. Until he said the dreaded word— Steinhem . He worked for Steinhem Company. Her old company.
    He worked for Stu.
    It was just her dumb luck. She should have guessed. He was living in Stu’s half of the duplex. She knew Stu was having trouble, but to bring in an outside consulting agency? It must be worse then she thought. And Ryan was the expert help he’d brought in. Talk about complicated. If Ryan knew she was Stu’s ex-wife, would he still want to spend time with her? Share dinner and stolen kisses? She didn’t think so.
    He was all about business, first and foremost. As he should be. To be offered the job of president of a top-rated consulting firm was quite an accomplishment. Having a relationship with client’s ex did not fit into that equation. Not that she was ready for a relationship, or even wanted one. But now there was no option. Damn Stu. She just couldn’t seem to make a clean break from that man.
    She sighed. She wasn’t going to think about it, or him. Or Ryan. Today she would focus on her art. She would start by going to the park and taking pictures. Lots and lots of pictures, and then she’d start a new project. “Hey there, Riley. You ready to go?”
    Riley, who was lying on the floor with his head in his paws, perked up immediately. The poor boy had been depressed all morning.
    “You missing your owner? He’ll be back soon. Let’s go to the park, take some pictures, chase some ducks, what do you say? It’ll be fun.”
    Riley’s tail did a quick wag before dropping back to the floor.
    “You look truly pathetic. Why would you put all your happiness into the hands of one dumb guy? Haven’t you learned better by now? They can’t be trusted to stick around, to be faithful, to have your best interest at heart. I hate to break it to you, but all they think about is what they want. What’s best for them. It’s all about their life and how you fit into it to make them happy.” She rubbed his head.
    He looked at her with those big, sad eyes.
    “You need to look out for number one, Bud. Or you will always be one sad pup. You got that?”
    Riley did that wilty wag thing again.
    “Come on. You can sniff some doggy butts, that will cheer you up.” She grabbed her purse, pulled the leash off the table