By the time Ryder pulled into the theater parking lot, he’d secured one bid, and lost another…to that damn Colarusso Construction again. He got out of his truck and slammed the door.

It was getting old. Fast.

Tuesday, he was scheduled to give an estimate on a new flower shop coming to Main Street. It’d be great if he could land that one. Right now, though, he needed to concentrate on the theater, and helping secure some work for a few more college students.

Without his permission, warmth spread through his chest at the thought of Sophia, and the fact she not only wanted to help construction students, but some art students, too. Other than masking her eye color, there wasn’t anything false about the woman. Or pretentious. She was a good person who genuinely wanted to help others achieve their dreams.

“Hey, Ryder.” Ben exited the theater with a grin. “You here for your date?”

He reeled back. “My what?”

His buddy laughed, stopping in front of him. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’m just teasing you, man.”

“Asshole.” He shook his head.

“It’s too bad, though,” Ben said. “Sophia’s great.”

“Never said she wasn’t.”

His buddy nodded. “True. You prefer to put her in the not-going-there category. But we both know you’ve already gone there with her. You two have a history.”

Aggravation prickled his spine. “Is there a reason we’re talking about this?” He was having a hard enough time keeping memories of that weekend with Sophia at bay. Last thing he needed was his buddy stirring up the pot.

“Yeah. I like to yank your chain.” Ben grinned.

“Why are you even here?” he asked.

“Because my girls are inside and I wanted to see them before I headed down the Gap for drill weekend.” Ben tipped his chin, daring him to find fault. “Oh, by the way, there’s another reason I was talking to you about Sophia. It’s because I’m a good friend. It’s my duty to remind you of a time when that woman in there put a smile on your face for days. It’d be great to see it again. Especially since you’re both unattached.”

He grimaced. “Lea put you up to this, didn’t she?”

“No.” Ben shook his head. “It’s all me. Your best buddy. The guy who thinks it’s time you started to enjoy yourself again. Come on, Ryder. Not every woman is Jinan.”

“Christ. Not that again.”

“Yes, that again.” Ben’s gaze turned serious. “You’ve punished yourself enough. And for something that wasn’t your fault. Let it go. Enjoy yourself. Enjoy Sophia.”

How could he even contemplate being with such an amazing woman, when he’d let the woman he loved down? When he let her become a prisoner in a loveless marriage? He should’ve rescued her. Should’ve done more, instead of abiding by her wishes.

Last thing he needed was a woman in his life, messing with his head again.

“I’m not looking for a relationship, Ben.” He hadn’t gone down that road since Jinan.

His buddy chuckled. “Never said you were. And it’s not what I was suggesting.”

It wasn’t? He frowned. “Then why are you pushing me toward Sophia?”

“Because, once-upon-a-time, you had fun with her. She made you laugh. Made you forget to be miserable.”

True. The woman had certainly done that. A smile tugged his lips. “She’s easy to be around.”

“Then do it. Be around her. Enjoy her.”

He scratched his temple. “She’s only here for the summer.”

“All the more reason to let go and enjoy the moment.” Ben grinned.

Let go and enjoy the moment…

Something Ryder hadn’t done in a long time. In fact, the last woman he’d ever let his guard down for was Sophia. And Ben was right, the no-strings woman had put a smile on his face long after she’d gone back to her life in the city.

But she’d also caused a few other thoughts to trickle into his brain. Like catching a train to visit her. Which—thank God—he’d never followed through on. Lord knew he hadn’t been ready for anything like that back then.

Hell, he wasn’t ready for that right now.

“No.” He shook his head. “There’s no reason to start anything. It’s better that way.”

And safer.

“Yeah. Heaven forbid you should have wild, no-strings-attached sex for a few months. That would be dumb.” Ben nodded and slapped a hand on his shoulder. “Way to dodge that bullet, buddy.” Then he walked to the parking lot laughing.

Asshole.

Ryder entered the building, shaking his head. His buddy was an idiot.

He also had a point.

What was to stop him and Sophia from picking up where they’d left off? Nothing but his survival instinct.

Too bad it was strong. And yelling at him to back away from the sexy New Yorker.

But as he walked into the design room, backing away from the woman was the last thing on his mind. He found her up on a ladder wearing cutoffs, boots, and a tank top that lifted up, exposing a strip of creamy skin.

Ah, hell. He was in big fucking trouble.

She wore a tool belt on her hips, emphasizing her curves, and he didn’t think he’d seen anything so damn hot in his life. But it was the way she handled the drill in her hand that made him harder than the cinder block wall she was drilling into.

Son-of-a-bitch…he was so screwed.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he should say something, or at the very least, get his mind out of the gutter—his sister and baby niece were in the building. Without realizing it, he’d moved closer, and damn…seeing those mile-long legs, and from that angle, reminded him of Sophia’s flexibility, and one hell of an interesting position they’d explored in his former cabin.

He had several more he’d like to explore with her. Now.

As if sensing his presence, she stopped drilling and glanced down, rocking backward a little with a startled gasp. “Ryder. Sorry. Didn’t know you were here.”

Heart dropping into his stomach, he immediately grabbed the ladder. “Where’s your spotter?”

“Excuse me?” She frowned down at him.

“Your spotter,” he repeated, working to get his heartbeat back under control. “You shouldn’t be on a ladder without one.”

Her gaze narrowed a second before her chin lifted. “Well, you’re here now. You can spot me while I finish up this last screw.” And without waiting for him to reply, she turned around and completed securing a large whiteboard to the wall. “There.” She grinned, elbow on her hip, drill in her hand, looking so at-ease with the tool, he wondered if she slept with the damn thing under her pillow.

And because he had a tool he’d love for her to handle, he forced the dangerous thought from his mind and tried to pretend nothing was wrong. “You can come down now.”

Her grin increased. “I know. I kind of like this angle.”

Her playful tone did funny things to his chest.

“Me, too.” He let his gaze trail slowly up her bare legs. “But if you don’t get down, I won’t be responsible for what others might stumble on if they walked in here.”

Heaven help him, a wicked gleam entered her eyes and she stepped down a few rungs, putting him eye-level with the promised land.

“Is that better?”

Fuck, yeah. That was great. And he would’ve told her, but he forgot how to speak. His mind fogged over. No doubt because he had no blood left in his brain. He shook his head, trying to clear it.

Didn’t work.

She stepped down onto the next rung. “Or would you rather this?”

His gaze was now even with mouth-watering cleavage, two beautiful breasts, and a pair of pert nipples, visible under her top, telling him she was just as aroused.

None of that helped his situation.

He swallowed past his dry throat and forced his gaze to meet hers. “This isn’t smart.”

“True.” She nodded, and came down the rest of the way.

It would’ve been good, except for the fact he still held onto the ladder. With a death grip. It was ironic how his defense for keeping his hands off her did little to keep hers off him.

Palms on his chest, she hesitated, and he found himself holding his breath to see if she was going to push him away or pull him close. God help him, he was equally terrified of both.