The Year of Living Shamelessly by Susanna Carr Read Free Book Online Page B

on, I want to savor this moment when my daughter is finally asking for my advice.”
     
    Katie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Mom.”
     
    “This is what you should do,” she said briskly. “Act like you are fully aware that you have power over him. Then use that power.”
     
    Sure, no problem. Nothing to it. Why haven’t I thought of that before? Oh, yeah, because it’s too risky. Duh. How can I act powerful when Ryder and I both know that I’m the vulnerable one? Katie knew it would be a waste of breath to try to explain this, so she decided to point out an obvious flaw in her mom’s plan. “Won’t he avoid me, then?”
     
    “Oh, not Ryder.” Her mother sounded supremely confident. “He won’t back down. Trust me on this.”
     
    Katie heard the back door open and a gust of icy-cold air swirled into the toasty kitchen. “Katie?” her brother called out. “Are you here?”
     
    She moved away from the refrigerator and saw Jake stepping into the kitchen. Snow coated his black hair and winter coat. He shook his long, lean body, spraying the icy flakes. She took a hasty step to the side and saw Ryder standing on the back porch, stamping the snow off his boots. The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft light over him.
     
    Katie felt her breath hitch as she laid eyes on Ryder and immediately looked away. There is no way she had power over this man. She returned her attention to Jake. It was safer and easier on her nerves. “I’m going to have to go, Mom.” She hid a smile as her brother made the motion to keep his presence quiet. “Jake just came in.”
     
    “I’ve been trying to reach him all day,” her mother said. “Put him on the phone.”
     
    “Okay, but don’t expect too much. He looks really hungover.” She handed the phone to her brother and smiled sweetly. “Mom wants to talk to you.”
     
    She ignored Jake’s murderous look as he snatched the phone. He muttered something under his breath, squared his shoulders and placed the phone to his ear. “Mom? Merry Christmas!” Jake said in a bright, cheerful voice.
     
    Katie cast a quick glance at Ryder and smoothed her formfitting tunic dress over her black leggings. She loved the long sleeves that left the shoulders bare while the rest of her was covered up. It was fun and flirty. The flash of skin made most men take a second look.
     
    Ryder seemed to be the exception. He didn’t even give her a first look as he walked into the kitchen. Was he still upset about the kiss on the dance floor? She wasn’t sure how to approach him. Should she ignore him? Be on her best behavior? Or tease him about their kiss?
     
    “Merry Christmas, Ryder,” she said softly, almost shyly, and immediately wanted to kick herself. That was not how a brazen woman spoke. A powerful, sensual woman would remind him of their kiss and boldly claim his mouth again.
     
    Ryder absently swiped his tongue along his bottom lip. Katie ducked her head to hide her smile, realizing she didn’t have to refer to their kiss after all.
     
    She tucked a strand of her long black hair behind her ear, drawing his attention to her bare shoulder. Her fingers brushed against the present she had opened that morning. “Thanks for the earrings. They’re beautiful.”
     
    His gaze lingered on the jewelry made with red jasper and gold. “You’re welcome.”
     
    Katie wanted to ask why he had broken tradition this year. Since celebrating their first Christmas together, Ryder had always given her a collectible ornament. She knew he probably chose it because it was the safest, least suggestive gift, but she treasured the collection.
     
    So it was a big surprise this morning when she had opened the carefully wrapped gift under her tree and discovered the jasper earrings. Was this a sign that he didn’t think of her as Jake’s kid sister anymore?
     
    “Hey, Mom,” Jake said as he came back into the kitchen. His voice indicated his desire to get off the phone after