Unworthy Heart: The Donnellys, Book 1 Read online

  The waitress deposited a huge plate of nachos in the center of the table. Maiya leaned back in her seat and sighed.

  Jodi dug in first, scooping up a chip heaped with meat and cheese, and shoved it in her mouth. “So what’s up with you and Ryan?” she said around her mouthful.

  “Nice. Your lack of home training’s showing.” Maiya grabbed her own handful and took a bite. “Nothing. Why do you ask?” She crunched the chip in her mouth.

  Rahul chuckled.

  Both Maiya and Jodi turned to him. “What?” they said in unison.

  “Never mind.” Rahul raised both brows and took a swig of his beer.

  “Yeah,” Jodi continued, “I’m soooo not buying the ‘nothing’ answer. There’s something simmering between you two. It’s as plain as the nose on my face.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Maiya swallowed the last of her wine.

  “Mmhm. Right.” Jodi shoveled in another helping.

  Rahul set down his beer and then ran his palm over his dark, close cropped hair. “Incoming.”

  Maiya glanced to her left and her eyes went wide. Ryan approached their table, two drinks in hand: a glass of wine and a glass two fingers full of amber liquid with ice. Guess he took the bait. Her stomach tightened into a knot and her mouth went dry.

  He set the wine next to her empty glass and then took the seat next to her. “Mind if I join you all?”

  “Of course not, and thanks for the refill.” Maiya took a sip of the fresh wine, trying to drown the nerves break-dancing in her stomach. “I definitely appreciate a man who brings me alcohol.”

  Ryan exhaled an exaggerated gasp. “Maiya Rossini, that was almost a compliment.”

  Maiya raised both brows and set her glass down. “I give compliments. Ask Jodi. I tell her how wonderful she is all the time.”

  “Yes, she does.” Jodi sipped her beer.

  “Maiya’s really quite sweet.” Rahul shrugged one shoulder. “You know…when she isn’t bossing everyone around and being a bitch.” He snickered and motioned like he was about to hide under the table.

  Jodi choked on her beer and coughed.

  Ryan laughed.

  “Haaayy, I am not a bitch.” Maiya’s mouth dropped open and she looked among the three of them. “Jerks.” She laughed.

  Ryan cleared his throat, stifling his laughter and raised his hands in defense. “Whoa there. I know better than to say something like that.”

  Weenie. Maiya shrugged. “Okay, fine. I’m a bitch.” She picked up her glass and turned to Jodi. “If getting the job done makes me a bitch, then call me the queen. Am I right, chica?”

  Jodi tapped the tip of her beer bottle to Maiya’s wineglass. “Got that right, girl.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” Ryan took a swig of his whiskey.

  “Oh, great. Thanks for the back-up.” Rahul grabbed a chip off the plate.

  “Hey, I’m no fool. I’ve got to work with her.” Ryan shook his finger at Rahul.

  Maiya brushed her hair off her shoulder and glanced at Ryan. He was being such a suck-up. After all the times he debated, argued and challenged her over work issues during their many phone calls, this new side of him was quite out of character. It made her wonder what his motive was behind it. “Damn straight you do.”

  Ryan gave her a nod and raised his drink to his lips. Their eyes caught for a moment, but she couldn’t help but let hers travel over his face and then zero in on his mouth. He sipped his drink. Maiya licked her lips. God help me. Heat radiated through her body and her nipples hardened. She caught herself before she drooled down her chin, and jerked her gaze back to his eyes.

  A lazy smile spread across Ryan’s mouth.

  Maiya’s cheeks burned hot.

  “You okay there, Maiya?” Ryan asked in a low voice.

  She cleared her throat. Way to go. He’d caught her staring—and damn, she hated that. Where in the hell had her liquid courage gone? “Yes.”

  Maiya tried to focus on the conversation in progress with Rahul and Jodi in hopes of distracting herself from the man sitting oh-so-close to her. What the hell are we talking about? The waitress had brought another round of drinks and two more plates of snacks to the table, though when that’d happened she couldn’t recall. Everything fell into a slow blur, yet her sensitivity to all things around her popped into hyper-overdrive—or at least, to Ryan being next to her.

  Halfway through her third glass of wine, Maiya’s head buzzed a little too loud, and she tugged at Jodi’s sweater. “Hey, come outside with me. I want to smoke.”

  “Okie dokie.”

  With Jodi in tow, Maiya glanced over her shoulder to Rahul and Ryan. “Be back soon.” She exited the building, turned to Jodi and fanned herself. “Jeez, I needed some air.”

  “No kidding. It got a bit steamy in there. I’ll ask again, what in the Lord’s name is up with you and Ryan?”

  “Wha—” Maiya’s answer came out in a tipsy squeak. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Oh, you know just what I’m talking about.”

  “There is absolutely nothing going on with me and Ryan.”

  Jodi rolled her eyes and leaned against the railing enclosing the outdoor patio. “Mmhmm. Okay, Maiya. Whatever you say.”

  “Well for fuck’s sake. Is it that obvious?” Maiya lit her cigarette and sucked in a long drag, exhaling the gray smoke in a stream above them.

  “Hell yeah it is. There’s some serious sexual tension between you two.”

  “Shit.” She took another drag. “This cannot happen, Jodi. You know it as well as I do. What the hell am I going to do?”

  A wide grin spread across Jodi’s lips. “Fuck him, and then tell me all about it. You know, so I can live vicariously through you.”

  “Oh my God, Jodi! I can’t believe you just dropped an F bomb!”

  “Lighten up, huh?”

  Maiya rolled her eyes. “Do you think he’d keep it on the down low?”

  “Oh hell, who knows girl. Who cares? You’re both single.” She grabbed Maiya’s cigarette and took a drag.

  “Yeah, but…it’s work, you know?” Maiya furrowed her brow, scrunching up her nose. “I don’t know. It’s a risk.” She snatched the cigarette back from Jodi, took a final drag and then put it out in the ashtray.

  “You worry too much. Besides, when have you ever been afraid of a little risk?” Jodi ran her fingers through her long hair. “Get in there and work it, like I know you know how to do. You eat guys like Ryan Donnelly for breakfast.” She nodded, indicating that was the final say on the matter.

  Maiya squinted. “What has gotten into you?”

  “What? I’m fine. Come on, let’s get back in there.” Jodi walked toward the door.

  Maiya shook her head in disbelief and followed her friend. “You have got to get out more.”

  When they got back to the table, Ryan was missing. Relief spread through her like a cool drink of water. As Maiya chatted with her friends, she couldn’t help but keep an eye on the door in case he showed again. When she finished her wine, Maiya’s relief morphed into hot agitation, pulsing hard beneath her skin. He’d left and hadn’t said goodbye to her. Shithead.

  The crowd thinned and Rahul left for home. Maiya, not ready for the night to end, convinced Jodi to head to Flanagan’s. She went into the bathroom first to freshen up. Feeling brave from her wine, she sent a text to Ryan asking him where he’d gone.

  A few minutes later, her phone buzzed, the label she’d assigned his number popping up. It made her laugh every time he texted her.

  Ryan Painintheass: Oh hey! Sorry, had to meet a few buddies. What are you up to?

  Maiya: Not much. Heading to Flanagan’s. You should come hang out.

  Screw it. Maiya wanted another shot at hanging with him. She
also wanted to see if the sparks between them would continue. If not, fine. At least she’d know for sure and all parties involved would be safe. Why not, right?

  Ryan Painintheass: Who’s going and when are you heading there?

  Maiya: Me and Jodi. Rahul had to get home. Leaving in about 5 mins.

  Ryan Painintheass: I may stop by. My buddies were just taking off.

  Maiya: Cool. See you soon.

  Pleased with herself, she applied a new coat of lipstick and fluffed her hair. Let the games begin. Maiya met Jodi in front of the restaurant. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

  Jodi gave her a slanted glance. “Girl, you’re up to no good.”

  Maiya smirked. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Chapter Three

  Ryan had high-tailed it out of the restaurant for a damn good reason. The short amount of time he’d spent next to Maiya at the table had been intense, and far too arousing. It was either leave and clear his head, or drag her into a corner somewhere and show her just how much her bitchiness turned him on.

  The whole situation was crazy. Maiya was the type of woman he steered clear of. A rather hot stove he had no desire to touch again, yet his body didn’t seem to care about any of that. It took all of his willpower not to adjust the erection in his pants when they were sitting next to each other. Damn uncomfortable too.

  Now he was heading back into the redheaded-hot burning building again because he just couldn’t stay away. He’d have to figure out a way to hang with her tonight and keep his distance from her at the same time.

  Yeah, right. How the hell was that supposed to happen? She was like a damn sex magnet, all five-foot-eight of her, and his buddy in his pants was all for it. His head—the one on top of his shoulders—kept intervening to remind him she was supposed to be off limits. Not that it mattered though.

  He had no issue with casual sex, but sex with Maiya would be anything but casual. The mere idea of her red hair tangled in his fist and her body bared just for him made his limbs tighten in anticipation.

  Ryan ran his palm over his mouth and a muffled groan slipped past his lips. With one last command to his dick to behave, he got in his car and headed downtown to…to what?

  Play with fire?

  Test his control?

  Yeah, that was it. Riiighhhtt.

  No. He could do this. Under no circumstances would he have sex with Maiya. He would not kiss her lips. He would not paddle her ass for being such a pain in his. Moreover, he absolutely would not enjoy seeing her long legs in the air while he—

  “Ah, Jesus. Knock it off.” Ryan clenched his teeth and started the car.

  When he neared the main strip in front of their office, he spotted the two of them walking on the sidewalk. Well, well, well. There she is. Slowing, he rolled down his passenger window and then stopped alongside them. “Hey, there’s trouble with a capitol M.”

  Maiya’s steps slowed and she looked over. “You have got to be kidding me.” She laughed. “That’s your car?”

  “What? Yes. Why? You don’t like it?”

  Maiya snorted and rolled her eyes. “Typical.”

  Jodi laughed and Maiya resumed her swift stride.

  Ryan threw the Porsche in gear and rolled forward a bit, keeping up with her. “What do you mean typical?”

  She brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “Just what I said. Typical.”

  Ryan shook his head. The comment, joking or not, pricked at his nerves. He was not typical. He was anything but typical. Damn this woman! Was it her life mission to agitate him? He sped past them and then pulled into the lot behind the pub and parked.

  When Ryan stepped into the darkness of Flanagan’s, he glanced around in search of the pair. Maiya’s familiar laugh echoed above the low music and small crowd in the pub. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and a bolt of heat shot down his spine.

  Following the sound, he moved in her direction. Ryan paused before coming into their line of sight. They were in the back at a table. The mammoth stone fireplace, bordering the back wall, danced with flames behind them.

  Maiya had one leg tucked beneath her. The other crossed over her knee, with her shoe dangling off her foot. Leaning back in her seat, her elbow rested on the back of the chair, and she absently twirled her hair around one finger. She stirred her drink on the table with the fingertip of her other hand. The blaze from the fireplace illuminated her profile and she glowed in the dim light.

  Keeping his eyes trained on her, Ryan took a single step forward and she turned her head in his direction.

  Their gazes locked.

  Maiya arched one perfect eyebrow, pulled her finger from her drink, and sucked the liquid dripping from the tip. Holy hell. All the blood rushed from Ryan’s brain right to his dick.

  Control tested, and he’d been served, failing right out of the gate. So much for that. Ryan drew in a deep breath and somehow managed to get his feet moving. The seat next to her was empty. Of course it was empty. So much for keeping my distance too.

  Fine plan this turned out to be.

  Maiya grinned at Ryan while he pulled the empty chair next to her away from the table and sat. The expression on his face was priceless after the little stunt with her finger. He might’ve gone a shade or two paler.

  He scooted closer to the table. “Typical huh?”

  “Yep.”

  Ryan waived the waitress over. “Jameson on the rocks please and uh…and a large glass of water too.” He turned to Maiya, leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I am far from typical.”

  She tilted her head to the side, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. “We’ll see.”

  “You will.” He pulled away and looked at her friend. “Nice to see you again, Jodi.”

  “Likewise.” She smiled and then sipped her beer.

  “Anyone else here?” Ryan shifted his chair closer to the table, bumping Maiya’s leg with one of his. Electric tingles ran up her thigh.

  “Just saw Joe from the finance team with his girlfriend, Tiffany.” Jodi jerked her chin in the direction of where the couple was seated by the bathrooms.

  Maiya looked over her shoulder, grateful for the distraction from Ryan’s leg against hers. “Didn’t even notice. He’s a nice guy.”

  “His girl is a play actress, I guess. She just landed the lead in the play Gypsy.” Jodi brushed her hair over her shoulder.

  “No shit? As in playing the infamous Gypsy Rose Lee?” Maiya shifted in her seat and her leg rubbed against Ryan’s again. Damn. “I would love to see that.”

  “Joe was offering tickets the other day. You can bring a friend. Like me, or someone else.” Jodi’s lips tilted into a grin and she glanced at Ryan.

  “Yeah. Maybe.” Maiya pursed her lips and glanced at him too. He was staring at her, a far off look in his eyes. Another zing of electricity shot up her leg from where hers still touched his. She waved her hand in front of his face. “Hello?”

  He sipped his drink. “Hmm? What’d I miss?”

  “Are we boring you?” Maiya raised both brows. “Jodi was telling us about the big show Joe’s girlfriend is starring in. Did you hear any of that?”

  “Yes, of course I heard it.” Leaning back, he cleared his throat. “No, you’re not boring me.” He turned his attention to Jodi. “It sounds very exciting.”

  “Oh, Lord.” Jodi laughed and took a swig of beer.

  Maiya snorted. “Typical.”

  Ryan’s head snapped back in her direction. “You keep saying that and I’m going to be forced to show you different.” He took a long swig of his whiskey.

  Maiya watched his lips close over the edge of the glass. I dare you to show me different. She stifled a groan. “I doubt that.”

  Jodi slapped her hand on the table, breaking the moment. “On that note, you two kids have fun. I got
ta get home.”

  Maiya rose and gave Jodi a hug. “Thanks for walking me down here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Get home safe. Or to the hotel rather.” Jodi winked at her. “Have a good night, Ryan.”

  “You too, Jodi.” Ryan nodded.

  Maiya shook her head. “I’ll be right back.” Stepping away from the table she walked Jodi to the front door and then made a beeline for the bathroom.

  Equal parts arousal and frustration thrummed through her veins and her pulse beat hard in her ears. What was it about him? He was vanilla…too damn vanilla for her. Yet her body didn’t seem to care how straight-laced he was. Maiya had intended to annoy him with the typical comment. It’d worked; she’d gotten to him for sure. Seeing him all agitated and in a lather amped her libido up ten more notches. Ryan Donnelly did not see himself as typical. My God, anything but.

  What the hell had she been thinking, inviting him tonight? A feeble attempt to convince herself she wasn’t attracted to him? She didn’t even understand the attraction. What she did understand was now that she was next to him again she wanted to lick every inch of his body. The man got her blood boiling at least once a day; sometimes more, and managed to get her body humming with arousal at the same time. With only their phone calls.

  Maiya washed and dried her hands. It was probably wise to stop fighting the magnetism. Fuck him out of her system. It was biology—simple, pent-up frustration. And it had been a while since she’d had sex. This was a no-brainer. She could have meaningless and sweaty—hopefully satisfying—sex with a colleague, and have no issue working with him the next day. Yes, she absolutely could.

  Decision made, she walked back to the table.

  Ryan was standing with his wallet open in his hand. “You about ready to go?”

  “I suppose.” She glanced at her watch. “You going to give me a ride to my hotel or am I calling a cab?”

  He crossed his arms. “You want a ride in my typical car?”

  “Sure.” She shrugged. “I guess if you’d rather the car instead of the bed in my hotel room, I’m game.”