Not Your Match (24 page)

Ben washed out the brush in the sink and put the painting supplies away, then made himself a sandwich and sat down at his small dining room table. Now the only eyesore in the breakfast nook were the bi-fold doors hiding the washer and dryer, but he’d need to rent a paint sprayer and paint all the doors at Rachel’s one Saturday.

Ben took a bite of his sandwich and pulled out his phone, logging onto his social media account. He stared at the top trending news stories in shock. There, sitting comfortably at number four on the list, was
Luke Ryder Off the Market?

The Luke Ryder that Andi was dating.

Ben clicked on the link before he could talk himself out of it. The page filled with news stories on Luke and Andi and comments from people on social media. He clicked on the first link and was taken to a gossip magazine.
Luke Ryder Cozies Up to Andi Harmon On and Off the Court
the headline read.

He froze, his eyes glued to the photo. Andi and Luke sat in one of the executive boxes at the Staples Center, their expressions frozen in a cheer. Andi looked beautiful even in the unflattering shot. Her caramel hair flowed around her shoulders, and she looked adorable in a casual T-shirt and jacket. He frantically scrolled down and started reading.

Luke Ryder and Andi Harmon cozied up to each other last night in Ryder’s executive suite and cheered on the Lakers . . .

Andi had been at the game last night. She’d probably seen him kiss Whitney.

Ben sank back in his chair, running his hand through his hair. He scrolled through the article.

A source close to Ryder says the couple are completely enamored with each other, and the relationship is going very well. “They can hardly stand to be apart,” the source, who wished to remain anonymous, said when interviewed.

Was it all for show, like Andi claimed? Or had Ben lost his chance forever?

His phone buzzed, and he grabbed it off the table, glancing at the number. Rachel. “What?” he barked.

“Hi, Ben.”

Not Rachel. Whitney. His heart pounded in his chest, and the fear and anxiety from the night before came crashing back. “Why are you calling me on Rachel’s phone?”

He could almost see Whitney shrug. “The battery is dead on mine, and I lost the charger.”

He seriously doubted that. She knew he wouldn’t answer the phone if he saw her name on the caller ID. “Do you need something?” Ben asked, trying to keep his voice even and calm. After last night, he hadn’t expected Whitney to talk to him for a very long time.

“It’s Saturday.”

Their typical date night. Or it had been, until she ripped out his heart and stomped on it.

For the first time since seeing that ring, he was almost grateful to Whitney for leaving him. If she hadn’t, he never would’ve reconnected with Andi.

“Yeah, I can read a calendar,” Ben said.

“Don’t be mean.” He imagined her sitting cross-legged on Rachel’s guest bed, her lips turned down in a pout. “I thought maybe we could go to dinner tonight, then catch a movie or go down to the beach.”

“I’m busy.”

“You always made time for Saturday nights with me.”

She was relentless. “I thought last night made it clear where our relationship stands.”

“I know I said I hated you yesterday. But that wasn’t me talking, Ben. I got so mad and let that take over. I’ve thought about it all day, and I’m not giving up on us.”

“There is no us. Not anymore. Goodnight.” Ben clicked off the phone before she could respond and tossed it on the desk. He brought a fist to his mouth, imaging the fury playing out on the other end of the line. Would she throw things against the walls, destroying Rachel’s expensive decor? Would she collapse on the floor in angry sobs? Would she search out whatever prescription pills were in the house and attempt to overdose?

Would he ever be rid of Whitney and the pressing responsibility that threatened to drown him?

He wanted Andi. He wanted to tell her his frustrations and hear her sympathetically assure him that Whitney’s actions weren’t his fault. He wanted to feel her body pressed up against his as he swung her around the floor in the samba.

He wanted to tell her that what she’d seen on the kiss cam wasn’t real, and he wanted to know if her relationship with Luke was as hallow as his kiss with Whitney had been.

He dialed Andi’s number before he could think twice. Would she even answer?

He almost dropped the phone in relief when Andi picked up. “Hey, Ben.” Her voice was flat, almost angry.

“Let’s go dancing,” he said.

“Excuse me?”

“Dancing. You said you want to cover the tango in class next week, right? I need a refresher course first.”

“I’ve had a long week, and I’ve spent all day reviewing case files.”

“All the more reason to go out and have some fun.”

“Fine. What did you have in mind?”

Ben pumped a fist into the air. It wasn’t the warm reception he’d hoped for, but she was coming. “There’s a club in Huntington Beach that’s a lot of fun. We’ll dance for a couple of hours, then I’ll buy you dinner.”

“We go Dutch on dinner or no deal.” Her words were firm, and he recognized the lawyer voice she used to win debates in high school. He knew better than to argue with her.

At least she was going out with him. It was a step in the right direction and he wasn’t about to complain. “Okay, deal. But only if we can take my car.”

“You think your car can drive us all the way to Huntington Beach?”

“I know
my car can. We wouldn’t want to take your fancy car to the beach anyway. The sand might scratch the paint job.”

He heard her laugh, the full, head-back, loving-life sound that drew people to her, and hope swelled in his heart.

“Okay, you win,” Andi said. “I’ll be ready in ten minutes. Don’t be late or I might leave without you.”

Eight minutes later, Ben drank in Andi’s long legs and sparkling eyes. No way could someone look that good with only a few minute’s prep. She wore leggings and a tunic top, and her hair spilled around her shoulder in soft curls that had him aching to reach out and caress them. She shut her door and headed to the elevator.

“Two minutes early. Not bad, Rhodes.”

Ben stuck his hands in his pockets, his body tensing at the ice in her voice. The elevator dinged open and they headed to the car.

“I’m surprised you said yes,” Ben said.

“I’m surprised you asked me. What does Whitney think about it?”

Ben barely held back a groan. She had definitely seen the kiss cam. “I didn’t know you were at the game last night.”

“I kinda figured.”

“Whitney and I aren’t getting back together.”

Andi raised an eyebrow. “It’s not really any of my business if you are.” She yanked the car door out of Ben’s hand and slammed it shut.

Ben cursed and jogged over to his side of the car. “I only went to the basketball game with Whitney because she’s so volatile. I didn’t want Rachel to get caught in the crossfires if something happened.”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what it looked like when the two of you were kissing.”

Ben ran a hand through his hair and started the car. The engine coughed and sputtered before finally roaring to life. “That kiss was a big mistake.”

“You don’t owe me an explanation.”

Ben gritted his teeth, gripping the steering wheel. “And how are things going with you and Luke? You two certainly looked cozy in the pictures.”

“Don’t believe everything you read in the tabloids. Luke is still trying to win the heart of his lady love. I’m sure he’ll succeed and the two of them will live happily ever after.” Her words were kind, but there was a bitter edge to her voice that had Ben sweating. He wasn’t used to hearing Andi be so cynical.

Andi reached over and turned up the radio. The music crackled with static, but she just folded her arms and looked out the window. Apparently the conversation was over.

The club was bursting with energy. The heavy beat of the bass pounded through the floor as he led Andi through the busy room. Cigarette smoke made the air hazy and stale, but the laughing people crowding the bar didn’t seem to notice or care. Ben was glad he’d worn short sleeves and left his jacket in the car—he could already feel his cheeks flushing with the heat. He kept glancing over his shoulder, worried one of the inebriated men whose eyes devoured Andi’s body would try and detain her. She didn’t seem concerned, though, and followed right behind him.

The crowd thinned the further they got from the bar. The dance floor glowed blue from the lights shining down on it, and the floor shook with the thunderous music. The dance floor smelled like sweat mixed with perfume, but the crowd was relatively thin here, with only a few other couples on the floor. Most of them were grinding against each other, their movements sloppy while their loud laughter echoed around the room. Ben’s feet itched to dance, and adrenaline surged through him. He couldn’t wait to have Andi to himself. To not have to share her with a classroom full of teenagers.

Ben held out his hand. Andi’s eyes searched his, looking for . . . something. Whatever it was, she must’ve found it, because she placed her hand in his. Heat swept through him at her touch, and he closed his fingers tightly around hers. A new song started with a strong beat and fast tempo, perfect for the salsa. Ben pulled Andi into closed dance position and took the first step. Shivers raced through him as he watched her hips sway to the beat. Her eyes locked onto his, smoldering with passion.

She gripped his hand, pushing back against his lead. Ben grabbed her around the waist and threw her down in a low dip, then spun her back into his arms. He saw the surprise on her face, felt it as she stumbled once before quickly regaining her footing. And then he saw the spark in her eyes as she realized that tonight, he was giving the dance his all.

She increased the sway in her hips and quickened her footwork. She danced around him, and he grabbed her hands and pulled her under his legs before spinning her back out. She arched back in an arabesque and he ran a hand up her leg before pulling her in again.

He couldn’t remember ever feeling so alive.

The song ended but Ben didn’t let Andi go. Her chest heaved as she gasped, and Ben’s heart race as he panted for air. He wasn’t sure if it was because he hadn’t danced regularly in a long time, or because the smell of her coconut lip gloss drove him crazy.

Slowly, Andi raised her eyes to his. “I’ve got to take a break,” she breathed.

He rested his forehead against hers, his hands loosely at her waist. Her body fit against his so perfectly. “Want a drink?”

She nodded.

He couldn’t help it—he dropped a soft kiss on her forehead before releasing her. “Go find us a table and I’ll get you whatever you want.” He had to put some distance between them before he lost his mind.

Ben fought his way through the crowd at the bar, the music drowning out everything else. He shouted his order to the bartender, and then wove his way back to Andi, drinks in hand. He set a glass in front of her and sank into a chair. The tables were filled, and Ben leaned his head close to Andi’s so he could hear her speak.

“Thanks,” she said, taking a long sip. She reached up, pulling her hair off her neck for a moment before letting it fall back around her shoulders. Ben swallowed hard. “I haven’t hit the dance floor that hard since college. I’m out of shape.”

She had felt exactly the right shape in his arms. “It feels good to get back to dancing.”

Andi’s eyes shyly met his. “It feels good to have my favorite dance partner back.” She downed the rest of her drink, and Ben did the same.

He stood and held out his hand. “Ready to get back out there?”

Andi nodded, and he led her back to the dance floor.

“The tango?” Andi asked.

Ben pulled her into position and led her into their first step. She wrapped her leg around his torso and he pulled her close. Her eyes blazed under the flickering glow of the dance floor lights, and Ben thought he might spontaneously ignite. He dipped her so low her hair brushed the floor, then brought her back up and lead her back into the steps.

For hours they danced everything from the cha-cha to the rumba. Andi’s skin gleamed with a thin sheen of sweat, and Ben’s breathing was rough and labored. Their bodies were in perfect sync through the dance, and Andi’s movements told him something her lips hadn’t yet said.

She wanted him just as much as he wanted her. The knowledge intoxicated him.

Another song ended, and Andi pulled herself close. “I’m starving,” she said, her lips almost brushing his ear. “Should we go eat?”

“Sure,” he said. He would give her anything she asked for. “What did you have in mind?”

“There’s an Italian bistro about a block away. We could walk.” She fanned herself with one hand. Someone passed by with a cigarette and she brushed the smoke out of her face and coughed.

“Sounds great,” Ben said. He pulled her through the crowd. She pressed herself against his back, her breath hot and heavy on his neck. He tightened his grip on her hand and pushed his way through the crush of people, his body a barrier clearing the way for her.