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she retorted brightly, determined not to be drawn into such an admission. What was it with this man, anyway? She was beginning to realize she couldn’t quite figure him out. A part of her warned that he was capable of reaching out and taking what he wanted, and that restrained hunger in him indicated that he wanted her. Yet other than that exploratory kiss yesterday morning and that quite mild good-night salute last night, there were few indications that she was going to have to fight him off.
    The conflicting signals she was receiving both intrigued her and made her wary. She must remember that he wasn’t from her world. He operated under a different set of rules than the average college professor or graduate student. It was best to keep a certain distance between them, and he seemed willing to cooperate.
    But she wasn’t fully aware of just how different Ryder Sterne’s world was until she was introduced to Adam and Sue Gardner. A middle-aged couple of charm and affluence, they greeted Brenna with delight.
    “Do come in, we’re so pleased to meet you!” Sue Gardner exclaimed graciously as she welcomed her guests into the lovely lakeside home. “When Ryder phoned to say he was bringing you, we were so pleased! This is my husband, Adam.”
    Adam proved to be a handsome man with a wealth of graying hair and a friendly, open smile. His wife was equally attractive. Both had that country-club look of health. Brenna couldn’t help wondering how they had met Ryder. She couldn’t really imagine him coming from their polished world of business success and prestige. No matter how well he wore his designer clothes, Brenna was certain he hadn’t sprung from that kind of background.
    Yet there was no doubting the pleasure the Gardners took in greeting her escort nor the obvious, almost maternal affection with which Sue Gardner kissed Ryder on the cheek.
    “It’s so good to see you, Ryder. I’m glad you were able to take advantage of the cabin again this year.” She smiled, leading everyone onto the front deck, which soared outward toward the water.
    “It makes a nice change from the apartment in Los Angeles, and you know damn well I can’t beat the terms of your lease!” Ryder accepted the salt-rimmed margarita Adam Gardner handed him. “Actually I’m enjoying myself more this year than last. Your taste in tenants for the other cabin is improving,” he said with a meaningful glance at Brenna, who occupied herself with demurely tasting the tart tequila drink she had just been handed.
    Adam laughed. “The luck of the draw, I’m afraid. Wish we could take credit, but it was all in the hands of the rental agent.”
    “Brenna doesn’t believe in fate so she probably doesn’t believe in luck, either,” Ryder murmured.
    “Which leaves sheer chance,” Brenna said firmly, deciding to take charge of the conversation before the two men ran it downhill at her expense. “Do you come up here every year, Ryder?”
    There was a pause and the hesitation startled her. The Gardners seemed surprised at the question, and Ryder looked as if he wanted to head off the answer. But he was given no chance. Sue Gardner threw a very warm, very grateful smile at her guest and then turned to Brenna, who was beginning to feel as if she had accidentally tread on awkward ground.
    “The cabin is available to Ryder anytime he wants it, Brenna,” Sue said calmly. “We are only too glad when he takes advantage of it.”
    “I see.” Brenna knew her tone sounded a little blank but there wasn’t much she could do about it. She simply didn’t understand the undercurrents that had begun to flow between the other three on the redwood deck.
    “Hasn’t Ryder explained about us?” Adam asked with a glance at the younger man. Then he answered his own question as Ryder’s mouth hardened. “No, I can see he hasn’t. We are very deeply in his debt, Brenna.”
    She frowned her lack of understanding, switching her questioning gaze to Ryder, who was