Sullivans 06 - Let Me Be the One

moving. The quick and dirty is that you’re going to reach in with your left hand and pull the walls up. On three. One. Two. Three.”
    He tried to let his hands go loose in hers again, but with the words—and visual of— quick and dirty playing over and over in his head, he couldn’t manage it. In under five seconds, the clay beneath their hands went from a well-formed almost-bowl to a haphazard blob.
    She exclaimed in dismay at the exact moment he cursed.
    And then they both started laughing, her back shaking against his chest.
    “I was so sure you were going to get it this time.”
    “I guess this proves I’m not that good with my hands after all,” he joked.
    She laughed again at his wildly inaccurate statement and he was finally letting himself enjoy the feel of her hips against his thighs, her ponytail tickling his neck, when a figure appeared in the doorway.
    Ryan felt Vicki’s entire body tense...and his own hands fisted in the clay until it seeped out grey and viscous between his fingers.
    “James.” Her voice shook slightly on the man’s name, but was perfectly steady again a moment later. “I didn’t expect you to come by until later this afternoon with the rest of the board.”
    “Hello, Victoria. Ryan.”
    Vicki pushed the potting wheel away and stood up.
    Ryan moved with her and nodded his greeting. “Hi.” He made sure the two letters came out as menacing as possible and were easily translated to read: Hurt her and I’ll find a way to hurt you back.
    James focused his attention on Vicki. “Has your solo work turned into a group project?”
    He was smiling, but Ryan didn’t buy it. He was about to advance on the man, but Vicki put her hand on his arm before he could get his fist any closer to the creep’s face.
    “Ryan and I were just taking a little break together.” Despite how flustered he could tell she was, she sounded remarkably calm. “Is there anything you needed before this afternoon, James?”
    “I wanted you to be the first to hear the good news about Anthony.”
    Hearing her ex-husband’s name from the douchebag’s self-satisfied mouth had Ryan seeing red.
    Blood red.

Chapter Seven
     
    Panic—and hot on its heels, fury at the sensation—skittered up Vicki’s spine. She should have known her ex wouldn’t be able to keep out of her business.
    It didn’t help, of course, that James and Anthony had been friends so many years ago. In fact, she wouldn’t be surprised to find out that James had been the one to contact Anthony, simply to try to get under her skin.
    “How is he?” she asked in an easy voice as she remembered to play her part of happy girlfriend by wrapping her arms tightly around Ryan and leaning into his broad chest.
    She thought she saw a flash of surprise cross James’s face at her relaxed response and was pleased she’d pulled it off.
    “Very well, actually. And quite generous to do us all the favor of joining the fellowship board at such a late date.”
    Vicki couldn’t stop her eyes from widening this time. Anthony had joined the fellowship board?
    Ryan beat her to the punch. “Are you saying that Anthony will be voting on Vicki’s project?”
    Despite the fact that James was wearing his best poker face, it was perfectly clear to Vicki just how pleased he was by this turn of events. He’d found the perfect way to punish her for turning down his advances.
    “Yes, he will, along with the rest of the board. He and I were just going over the fellowship contenders’ portfolios, but of course he’s already quite familiar with yours.” He gave Vicki an understanding look. “ And while it’s understood that he has a special familiarity with your skills, I have no doubt that he will be well able to judge your project on merit alone without favoring you unduly.”
    Favoring her? Nothing could be further from the truth. Vicki was right at the bottom of his favorites list...and had been since long before they’d divorced.
    She could feel Ryan bristling with the need to defend and protect her. She appreciated the strong friendship that was behind that urge, but just having him here with her was enough.
    She wouldn’t rise to the bait, but she needed to know. “When will he be coming to San Francisco?”
    “While he will be judging via photos and video, I have asked him to squeeze the awards ceremony into his very busy schedule.” James smiled at both of them. “I believe he’s making travel arrangements as we speak.”
    Vicki didn’t