The Ryders: Jared, Royce and Stephanie: Seduction and the CEO

“I feel bad invading your privacy,” Melissa said.

“Are you kidding? I can’t wait to dress you up and wow my brother.”

Melissa placed the dress back on the rack and turned. “I don’t want you to get hurt,” she told Stephanie honestly. “Jared and I barely know each other.”

“You have to start somewhere,” Stephanie replied, obviously undaunted by reality.

“The odds against he and I clicking are about a million to one.”

“The odds against me winning Spruce Meadows last week were about a million to one.”

“But you practiced. You worked hard for years and years to win that competition.”

“I’m not expecting you to marry him next weekend.”

Melissa took a step closer to Stephanie. “I’m not going to marry him at all. You have to understand that. He’s a nice man. And maybe he thinks I’m pretty—”

“He’s going to think you’re a knockout in that silk dress.”

Melissa sighed. “You’re killing me here, Stephanie. I need to know you know this isn’t going anywhere.”

Some of the optimism went out of Stephanie’s blue eyes. “But you’re going to try, right?”

“It doesn’t matter whether I try or not, the odds are still stacked way against it.” And those odds were a whole lot higher than Melissa could admit.

“I’m not afraid of the odds,” said Stephanie, a new equilibrium coming into her eyes. “I’m just leading a horse to water. He drinks or not will be up to him.”

“I take it Jared’s the horse?”

“And you’re the water.”

Relief poured through Melissa. Stephanie understood just fine. She wasn’t some flighty young girl with impossible dreams. She was simply trying to match up her brother and bring some balance to the family’s gender numbers.

The plan didn’t have a hope in hell of working with Melissa, but she could respect the effort.

“Robe’s on the door hook,” said Stephanie. She nodded to the en suite. “Towels are stacked on the counter.”

“Okay,” Melissa agreed. She could play dress-up and ply Jared with questions. Maybe they’d have wine with dinner. Even better. She’d sip slowly and let his tongue loosen up.

She followed Stephanie’s directions, enjoying the marble tub and the luxurious bath products. The towels were big and plush, and Stephanie’s hair dryer gave Melissa’s straight, blond hair some body and bounce.

She exited the room to find Stephanie sitting in front of her vanity in a white robe, her auburn hair damp around her ears.

Stephanie swiveled on the small stool. “What do you think?”

Melissa blinked at the unexpected sight. Stephanie’s delicate features had been all but obliterated by glaringly bright makeup. With spiked lashes, bright blue shadow, dark blush and a fire engine-red lipstick shade, she looked ready for the lead in a 1980s disco flick.

“Uh … I …” Melissa struggled to find words.

Stephanie’s face fell. “It’s that bad?” She glanced back to the mirror.

Melissa rushed forward, reflexively putting her hands on Stephanie’s shoulders. “The look’s a little dated. That’s all.”

Stephanie hardened her jaw, glaring at her features. “Is it me? Do I just not have a feminine face?”

Melissa’s jaw dropped open. “Are you kidding me?”

“I can never quite seem to pull it off.” She gestured vaguely toward the closet. “It’s not that I don’t have the ingredients. I’ve got plenty of clothes, shoes, beauty products. But I can never figure out what to do with them. I bought a makeover magazine once. I ended up looking like a clown.”

“You’re beautiful.” Melissa recovered her voice. “Beyond beautiful. You’re stunning.”

“I have a little-girl nose, ugly freckles and funny-color eyes.” She leaned forward, screwing up her face in the mirror.

“Most women would kill for your nose,” said Melissa honestly. “The freckles are pretty, and you just need a new shade of shadow.” She turned the stool, looking critically at Stephanie’s skin tone and features. “Go wash your face. Let’s start over.”

Stephanie perked up. “You’ll help?”

“You bet I’ll help.”

Stephanie jumped up and headed for the bathroom, turning on the taps in the sink. “Did you have a mom and sisters and stuff?” she called.

“A mom, yes,” said Melissa. “But I have five older brothers.”

Stephanie popped her head back into the room. “Five?”

Melissa nodded. “Adam, Ben, Caleb, Dan and Eddy.”

“So probably no makeup tips from them.”

“Nah. But I can frame up a cabin, change a car’s oil and whistle.”

Stephanie laughed as she rubbed cleanser over her face. “And I can rope a calf in under thirty seconds.”

“You never know when these skills might come in handy.”

Stephanie rinsed and dried, walking back into the bedroom, clad in her terry robe. “Where did you learn about makeup?”

“Girlfriends at school, cable TV, demos at the mall.” Melissa glanced around the room and realized the wide sill on the bay window was a good height.

“My friends were in the 4H club. And we didn’t get many channels out here while I was growing up.”

“Can you hop up there?” Melissa gestured. “That way I won’t have to bend over.”

“Sure.” Stephanie held her robe as she got settled, her bare feet dangling.

Melissa selected some lotion and a few cosmetics and piled them on a small table in the alcove. “It’s all about subtlety now,” she explained, tipping Stephanie’s chin toward the light. “Women want to look natural, just a little more beautiful than nature intended. Earth tones will bring out the subtle silver in your eyes, instead of clashing with it.”

“Can you cover up my freckles?”