Read Roughing It With Ryan for Free Online

server.” She slipped into one side of the bed, leaving Suzanne with enough room on her side for a small army.
    Climbing into bed required the last of her depleted energy. She pulled up the silky sheets and weighty blanket, grateful for the warmth. “It would be a shame to sell this bed. It’s so luxurious.”
    â€œI know, but with it, and all the other antiques I have in storage, I could start the renovations.”
    â€œWow, that’s terrific.” Suzanne felt awed by the collector’s spirit, something she’d never personally experienced. Somehow her lifestyle to date made it easier to travel light.
    â€œIt’s been a terribly expensive hobby,” Taylor admitted, fluffing her pillows. “And one I can no longer afford, obviously. But no worries. First thing tomorrow we’ll get you down from the loft and into the apartment next door. Then after Ryan is done withthe tree extraction, I’ll start on everything else. I’ll need an architect, a contractor—”
    â€œRyan.” Just the sound of his name had Suzanne wide awake again. She’d never again think of him as just the Gorgeous Crazy Tree Guy. He’d become her hero. And as such, a man to avoid at all costs. He was tempting enough to make her forget her vow to remain single and she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she destroyed her hero like she’d destroyed her ex-fiancés. “He’s going to be around then?”
    â€œAll week, I imagine, getting that tree out and the others down.”
    All week. Would he talk to her in that voice of his, the one that said she was the only woman he saw? Would he touch her with those warm, sure hands? Or better yet, would he lean in and put that incredible mouth back on hers…?
    Oh, boy, there it went again, her vivid imagination. She didn’t want this inexplicable attraction. No sirree. She didn’t need anyone or anything but herself and her chef job.
    No matter how much her tingly nipples told her otherwise.

4
    I T HAD BEEN JUST A KISS .
    That’s what Ryan told himself. All night long.
    But he wouldn’t have felt “just a kiss” from his head to his toes.
    And let’s not forget all the hot spots in between.
    Sure, there were plenty of logical reasons for the almost chemical-like attraction between himself and Suzanne, two perfect strangers. For one, the situation itself had been terrifying. Obviously, that had played a big role in what had happened between the two of them up there in that loft, trapped alone on a dark, stormy night.
    But somehow he knew, deep in his gut, the instant connection he’d felt with her couldn’t be blamed on the events of the evening. Nor could the way he would have done anything— anything —just to keep her safe.
    Unrested, and oddly driven to see her again in the light of day, he woke his crew at dawn. Not difficult as they were crashed on his couch.
    When he flipped on the lights in the living room,Russ groaned and buried his face into the couch cushion. “Five more minutes, Mom.”
    Mom had been gone for seven years. In fact, it had been Ryan to wake up his younger brothers for school every morning since, and still, no matter how much time went by, Russ, not a morning person, always talked to Mom first.
    Ryan hauled the blankets off the nineteen-year-old, and did the same to Russ’s twin, Rafe, who’d some time in the night fallen to the floor and stayed there.
    â€œThere’s hot oatmeal and coffee,” he told them.
    â€œHurry, we’ve got a full day ahead.”
    â€œWe just went to bed,” Rafe whined.
    â€œAnd now we’re getting up.”
    â€œDonuts would be better.” Rafe stumbled to the bathroom. After a moment he poked his head back out. “We saving any pretty redheads today?”
    Ryan kicked the already back-to-sleep Russ’s feet off the couch. “The only thing in your future today is a tree. A