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willy-nilly with a chance like this. I won't risk my future by sleeping with you, Ryder."
    "I appreciate your professionalism. And your ambition. I know all about wanting more." Ryder set his beer on the table. "I won't push."
    "It wouldn't matter," Quinn said with more conviction than she felt.
    Ryder's lips curved. His smile made her sigh. Did he know the effect he had on her? Of course, he did. Quinn had spent the better part of two hours with a group of women who followed him around the world. He knew why. The smile. The voice. The body. The man was the whole package. Damn him.
    "Two weeks."
    "Is that code for something?"
    "It's a fact." He circled her. Not touching. Not coming within three feet. But Quinn felt a bit like his prey. "I want you. You want me."
    "Did I say that?" Quinn searched her memory. When had she said that ?"
    "I can tell. There's a lovely flush to your skin. Your breathing is uneven. And the pulse at the base of your throat is pounding like crazy."
    Quinn almost checked. But she managed to keep her hands in her lap—unclenched. She was proud of that. However, it wasn't necessary to touch her throat. She could feel everything Ryder mentioned. Her cheeks were unusually warm. Her heartbeat raced. And that spot at the base of her throat. Yes, she could feel that too. Damn, damn him.
    "What is your point, Ryder?"
    "Thank you for not denying the attraction." Ryder took a seat across the room.
    "Thank you for sitting down."
    His smile widened. "Did I make you nervous?"
    "I felt as though you were about to pounce."
    Ryder's expression grew serious. "Not unless you ask. I don't force myself on anyone. Ever."
    "I believe you."
    "Thank you."
    Quinn wondered if there was a story behind his vehement reaction. If there were, it wasn't one she was likely to hear. He had made it clear that he didn't share private information. Nobody in the band did. Dalton's revelation about his sister was as much as she could expect to find out.
    She told herself she was glad. The less she knew, the less involved she would become. And the easier it would be to keep saying no. No matter the temptation. And Ryder Hart was turning out to be a huge temptation. And yet Quinn couldn't resist asking.
    "Here they are." Dalton entered. Zoe was right behind, followed by Ashe. "Spiderman persuaded the fly to enter his web. And the yoga queen has found her Zen—or whatever it's called."
    "My center, jerk." As she passed, Zoe punched Dalton in the arm. "With you around, I need all the meditation I can get. Unfortunately, the benefits don't last long."
    "And I did not lure Felicia into my web." For good measure, Ashe hit Dalton in the same spot. With much more force than Zoe. "She isn't an innocent victim. She knew the score and is willing to play by my rules."
    "Please. Enough with the rules," Zoe groaned. "You're worse than Dalton. Stop obsessing over laying down the ground rules. Lay her. Enjoy. Then move on. I'm certain she will."
    "But—"
    Zoe cut Ashe off.
    "In spite of what the press claims, you and Dalton and Ryder are every woman's holy grail. Felicia had a life before she met you. She'll have one after you ride off into the sunset."
    "Ouch." Ashe stabbed an imaginary knife into the region of his heart.
    "Amen," Dalton echoed.
    "The truth can be brutal." Zoe took the scrunchie from her hair, shaking out the long blond tresses. "I feel it's my duty as a friend to finally tell it like it is."
    Zoe had changed from her stage clothes into yoga pants and a snug t-shirt that proclaimed her love for leafy greens. Or marijuana. Quinn thought the sprig was kale, but it might have been cannabis. But one thing was certain. Ryder's sister was a long, lean drink of water. And in fantastic shape. Quinn liked to think she took care of herself, but the beautiful Zoe Hart made her feel like a slug.
    "Save the inevitable banter for the bus," Ryder intervened. "I wanted to take a minute before we hit the road to introduce Quinn Abernathy. Quinn, this is