Sunset Thunder by Shannyn Leah Page A

his hands in his pockets, until he was the last person in the lobby.
    He should have been grateful that Violet was acting like nothing had happened between them. Hell, nothing should have happened between them. But, here he was, baiting on her professionalism as she waited for him and did not scamper away, as his feet made it to the exit.
    Ryder stopped beside her. The designer perfume that had engaged his senses as he rose into bliss with this magnificent woman in the washroom now tantalized him...and he liked it. He knew he shouldn’t. He knew he should keep walking. He knew this woman was a thunderstorm, his friend’s ex-wife, and an ice queen, but Ryder didn’t listen to any of the warnings. They were mildly nagging the back of his mind, while front and center was the desire to ruffle the feathers of Violet Caliendo. If that meant he was falling down to the level of bottom feeder and her posse...Ryder was good with that.
    Ryder lowered his tone to a seductive whisper only for Violet. “I appreciated that skirt more, when it was hiked up around your waist.”
    Violet breathed deeper. She stared harder. That was all she gave him, but he damn well knew it was more then she wanted to give. 

Chapter Five
    IT ASTOUNDED VIOLET, that Missy’s debate of each ballroom stretched on, as though she’d never stepped a foot either of them. Then afterwards, she expressed the need to take another tour before making her final decision.
    It was two ballrooms, pick one or the other.
    However, unexpectedly, Violet’s short tolerance had nothing to do with Missy, or Joel for that matter... it was because of Ryder Carlex.
    Exiting the lobby washroom with her blouse wrinkled, her panties twisted, and her mind...well... blustered , in a way that she’d never experienced in her entire life, had Violet shifting uneasily inside...but not on the outside for Ryder to glory in.
    I appreciated that skirt more, when it was hiked up around your waist...ugh!
    But why did the suggestion make her want to hike her skirt up right there in the lobby, and kiss that badgering man’s lips?
    The fact that the Bensen couple were marrying in less than a month hadn’t even negatively passed through Violet’s mind. She should appreciate the diversion in her thoughts. After all, the Bensen wedding was responsible for her morning fluster.
    If only the commotion in her head wasn’t caused by the knowledge that Ryder’s relaxed, laid-back eyes were waiting to meet hers and send her a look. Not just any look, like that of a casual acquaintance. No, Ryder continued to send her teasing looks, lusting looks, I know what we did looks that were childish and maddening.
    Violet knew what they did. She couldn’t believe what they had done and she certainly didn’t need reminders from Ryder.
    Ryder Carlex? Ryder Carlex! Violet, what were you thinking? It was clear, thinking hadn’t had any part in that regretful decision. Another prime example of the result of her filter avoidance. 
    What was Ryder doing here anyway? Playboy, take-a-woman-in-the-washroom, Ryder Carlex was offering his input for his best friend’s wedding. A wedding...a ceremony of united love. That was odd. He was odd.
    He was hot He was hot.
    Violet’s unwelcome diversion clouded Missy’s voice as she explained the pros and cons of each ballroom to Joel...again.
    Violet didn’t notice how more involved Joel was with this wedding compared to theirs, like she might have, if her eyes hadn’t went against her will to not look , and found Ryder.
    What is wrong with you?
    His outfit didn’t even look disheveled. Not his designer slacks or dress shirt or the sexy way he styled the longer locks of his hair upwards in a wave, while the sides were cut shorter. Nor was his presence unsettled, like Violet, even if she knew she wasn’t allowing it to show.
    If you weren’t allowing it to show, you would have never looked at Ryder...again.
    As expected, Ryder was watching her.
    Why did you look if you