The Ryders: Jared, Royce and Stephanie: Seduction and the CEO
Seduction and the CEOJournalist Melissa Warner will do anything to get the scoop on millionaire Jared Ryder – even take a job as his ranch hand! But, when she shares an electric kiss with the gorgeous CEO, she’s left to wonder how – and when – she can ever share her secret…In Bed with the WranglerSocialite Amber Hutton may have broken off her engagement and taken refuge at gorgeous pilot Royce Ryder’s ranch, but she had no intention of letting him seduce her! Unfortunately, Amber had no idea how tempting this infamous playboy could be…His Convenient Virgin BrideMillionaire consultant Alec Creighton was meant to be tackling Stephanie Ryder’s over-spending – not seducing her! But the raven-haired beauty was just too tempting. And, when he discovered she was a virgin, Alec couldn’t resist going back for more…
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BARBARA DUNLOP writes romantic stories while curled up in a log cabin in Canadaâs far north, where bears outnumber people and it snows six months of the year. Fortunately, she has a brawny husband and two teenage children to haul firewood and clear the driveway while she sips cocoa and muses about her upcoming chapters. Barbara loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her website at www.barbaradunlop.com.
The Ryders:
Jared, Royce and Stephanie
Seduction and
the CEO
In Bed with
the Wrangler
His Convenient
Virgin Bride
Barbara Dunlop
Table of Contents
Barbara Dunlop
For my amazing husbandâcowboy, pilot and businessman
Journalist Brandon Langardâs blunder was the talk of the bullpen at Windy City Bizz. The odds-on favorite for a promotion to feature writer, heâd struck out in his attempt to get an interview with Jared Ryder.
Melissa Warner and the rest of the sixth-floor magazine staff watched the fallout with morbid fascination. The managing editorâs door was closed tight, but through the interior window, it was obvious Seth Strickland was shouting. His eyes snapped fire, and his face had turned a mottled purple. Brandonâs head was bent and still, his shoulders hunched.
âTheyâve already designed the cover,â photographer Susan Alaric stage-whispered over the low barrier between her and Melissaâs desks.
âThatâs because Brandon swore it was a done deal,â said Melissa, remembering his swagger last week when heâd announced the plum assignment.
âNothing wrong with that manâs confidence,â Susan returned with an eye roll. Brandonâs habit of bragging, flirting and ogling the female staff had long since alienated them.
âI was sure heâd pull it off,â Melissa had to admit. Brandon might be obnoxious, but he was also driven and hardworking. And like all the journalists at the Bizz, he knew an in-depth article on Chicagoâs most elusive entrepreneur and bachelor would clinch the promotion to feature writer.
That Jared Ryder had made a fortune in the Chicago real estate market fit Windy City Bizzâs mandate for business news. That he was the heartthrob of half the cityâs female population suited the magazineâs new focus on circulation numbers.
Seth became even more animated, gesticulating with both arms as he rounded his cluttered desk to confront Brandon face-to-face. The occasional word filtered through the closed door. â ⦠incompetent ⦠unreliable ⦠reckless â¦â
âOuch.â Susan cringed.
Melissa experienced a fleeting twinge of pity for Brandon. But then she remembered how heâd eavesdropped on her conversation with the Women in Business organization last month and presented the story idea as his own. She still owed him for that one. Or rather, he still owed her.
She paused on that thought.
It was true. He did owe her one. And maybe it was time to collect.
It would serve him right if she swooped in on this particular story. And why not? Seth clearly needed the Jared Ryder interview. And Melissa would kill for a chance at that promotion.
Through the window, Seth stopped talking. His breathing went deep, his nostrils flared, as he set his jaw in a grim line. Brandon bolted for the office door, and Melissa saw her chance. She quickly came to her feet.
Susan glanced up quizzically, assessing the determined expression on Melissaâs face. She obviously came to the right conclusion.
âDo it,â she begged with a grin. âOh, please do it.â
Melissaâs heart upped its rhythm. She swallowed hard, trying not to think about the career-limiting consequences of failure. If she promised the interview and didnât deliver, sheâd be in more trouble than Brandon.
Still, as Brandon yanked Sethâs door open, she tamped down her fear and made her move.
Her colleaguesâ gazes hit her from all sides as she made a beeline for the editorâs office. Some probably guessed her plan. Others would be simply shocked to see her approaching Seth before he had a chance to calm down. His tirades were legendary. They normally sent the staff scurrying for cover.
Brandon peeled off to the right, studiously avoiding eye contact with anyone.
Melissa rapped on the still-open door. âSeth?â
âWhat?â he barked, without looking up, rustling through a pile of papers on his cluttered desk.
She took a couple of steps into the office, clicking the door shut behind her.
His round face was flushed all the way to his receding hairline. There was a sheen of sweat above his bushy brows. His white shirt was rumpled, sleeves rolled up. And his tie was loose and dangling in two sections over his protruding belly.
âI can get you the interview,â she stated outright, standing tall, her three-inch pumps giving her a slight height advantage.
