Playing Dirty

Twenty

The look on Ryan’s face temporarily lifted Sam’s mood, and she couldn’t quite stop the smug smile from tugging at her lips as she watched him struggle to comprehend the small bomb she’d just dropped on his annoying head.

Serves him right for jumping to conclusions yet again. Seriously, what was his problem? Did he take her for the sort of woman who’d randomly flirt up some guy?

Idiot.

"Caine?" The words were uttered in a soft tone. His gaze ran over James, flickered to Sam and back again.

"Mr. Caine had his eye on a few of the paintings displayed here," Sam explained. "But couldn't make it due to urgent business in Montreal, so James is here in his stead."

Beside her, James stepped forward, right arm outstretched towards Ryan who seemed to have frozen on the spot, a blank look on his face.

“Nice to meet you, Silverton,” James said, his tone mildly pleasant. “Sam was just telling me about the proposal regarding the resort.”

To his credit, Ryan recovered quickly, the blank look replaced by a guarded expression as he grasped James’ outstretched arm in a handshake.

“She was?” he glanced at Sam, the realization that once again, he’d put his foot up his ass dawned on him. She raised an eyebrow, allowing some of the irritation boiling within to show in her expression.

A guilty look crossed his expression, but Sam wasn’t fooled. No, she would never let herself be fooled again into thinking this man had any respect for her. She was willing to bet the next time a situation presented itself, he would once again quickly jump to conclusions, and as usual, she would come out worse off.

She sighed inwardly, disappointment carving a hole in her already bruised heart.

“Yeah,” James replied and glanced her way. She forced a smile, forcing unpleasant thoughts to the background. “She's assured me it would be in my company's best interests to hear it out, and I must say, she can be very convincing."

His smile was warm, the admiration in his eyes seemed to transfer some of that warmth onto her. She beamed at him, the praise doing a little to lift her spirits. At least there was someone who could appreciate her

"That so?" Ryan's tone sounded oddly tight. His gaze flickered from James, to rest on her, his lips pressed firmly together, a storm clearly brewing in his grey eyes before they became shuttered, revealing nothing more.

"James suggested we have lunch together after the exhibit to talk more about the proposal," Sam told him. "I accepted on our behalf, hope that's okay with you?"

Ryan nodded and consulted his watch. "Yes, that's fine."

"Excellent," James said then turned to Sam. He touched her shoulder and smiled. "I'll go see about getting the paintings my dad wants then we'll head out."

"Sure. We'll be waiting at the bar."

His hand lingered for a few seconds longer then he turned and walked off. Sam watched him go, the spot on her shoulder where his hand rested still tingling.

Ryan muttered something under his breath, drawing her attention. She looked up to find him also watching James' retreating figure through narrowed eyes, expression dark and belligerent.