“Yes, well.” Annie cleared her throat. “I’ve called because I need your help and Ronan is too proud to ask you himself. He, William Moore, and Bryan Leech have been contracted for a sportswear photo shoot with Adidas in New York this weekend. Unfortunately, William’s fallen ill and won’t be able to attend, so I was wondering if you’d be interested in replacing him?”

“I already have a deal with Puma. I’m not sure my contract will allow it.”

Annie heaved an audible sigh. “You rugby players and your sponsorship deals.”

Sean grinned. “I take it I’m not the first person you called.”

“No,” she answered sheepishly. “Ronan isn’t exactly your biggest fan. I actually called your agent first. She said she was under strict instructions not to schedule any promo work during your break, but I thought I’d call to see if you’d be interested in doing us a favor. I know you probably don’t want to come all the way to the U.S., but I think this would be a great way for you and Ronan to mend some bridges.”

I heard my brother let out a loud, derisive laugh in the background. Clearly, he had his ear to the door, listening in just like I was. Annie had no clue Sean was already stateside.

“Your husband-to-be doesn’t sound very convinced,” said Sean with a smile in his voice.

“Let me deal with Ronan,” Annie stated firmly.

He cast his gaze on me mischievously. “You know what? New York is sounding a lot more appealing these days.”

My heart pounded at the prospect of yet more time in the same general area as Sean Cassidy.

“So you’ll do it?” Annie asked, a hint of relief in her voice.

“I’ll have my lawyer look through the Puma contract and get back to you. If he says it’s okay to be affiliated with another brand, then yes, I’ll do it.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

The moment he hung up he came at me. “Now, where were we?”

When he began sliding his arms around my waist I pulled away, my heart racing. “We shouldn’t have kissed.”

His hooded, aroused expression morphed into a frown. “I see . . .”

“I don’t mess around with rugby players, and being with you is a really bad idea for a number of reasons.”

“Such as?”

“Sean,” I narrowed my eyes at him, “just moments ago you told me I shouldn’t like you.”

“Humor me. Tell me why it’s a bad idea.” He was entirely too close, but he made no move to touch me with anything but his gaze.

I angled my chin. “Well, for one I’m not your type.”

Sean lifted an eyebrow and wrapped his arm around my waist. He brought me flush against him, pressing my belly against his dick, which was hard as steel beneath the fabric of his jeans. “Obviously, you’re wrong.”

I swallowed and tried not to think about the size of him, because God, the size of him. I also wondered if he’d maintained his erection all through the phone call with Annie, or was he just that quick to get it up again?

That thought was both intoxicating and sobering.

I had no words, especially considering the sexy I want to devour you look on his face. The universe must have heard my plea, because right at that moment the heavens opened and rain began pouring down.

“It’s raining. We should go.” I hurriedly pushed him away and turned to start the hike back down. I almost expected him to argue, but he didn’t.

Silently, he picked up the picnic basket and followed my lead. Neither of us spoke the whole way down, and by the time we reached the retreat the tension between us was unwieldy. Also, I was soaked to the skin.

When I realized my nipples were peeking through my wet clothes, I folded my arms across my chest as I turned back to Sean, unable to meet his eyes. “I’ll, uh, I’ll see you later.”

Before he could reply I was gone, already halfway to my cabin. Once there, I stripped off my soaking clothes and started the shower. When the water heated, I stepped under the spray, my kiss with Sean playing on repeat in my head.

I remembered the way he’d grabbed my arse, like a man possessed, and disappointedly realized I’d never taken the opportunity to cop a feel of his.

How ridiculously poetic had it been that a call from Ronan (well, technically it was Annie, but it was Ronan’s phone) was the thing to interrupt our moment.

I knew exactly why I’d kissed him, too. I’d seen more of Sean’s human side today, and combined with how physically attracted I was to him, it was almost impossible not to kiss him. He liked dogs, and when I’d told him of my volunteer work at the shelter, his expression told me he thought it was a worthwhile pursuit.

But most importantly, deep down, I didn’t think he liked himself very much.

It made me sad. It also made me want to make him happy.

I turned off the water and stepped out to find someone had shoved a small note under my door. My heart sped up, wondering if it was from Sean. But sure enough, this had become Broderick’s and my way of communicating the last week or two, and the note was from him.

I can’t find Sean anywhere, so I guess that means no steak.

Meet me in the dining hall for dinner?

I hope you enjoyed your hike ;-)

Rick.

I wrapped a towel around my body and scribbled a quick response on the other side of the note. It was the last night of the retreat, but I wasn’t in any frame of mind to be good company.