Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 41105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 206(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 206(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
When we reach the house, Ryder is standing on the front steps, his black shirt unbuttoned and his hardened chest exposed.
He eyes the car as it rounds the water fountain, but before the driver can park, Adele jumps out of the car.
“I’m home!” She rushes toward Ryder. “I’m home!”
Smiling, he scoops her into his arms and kisses her forehead.
For several seconds, the two of them remain locked in an embrace, trapped in their own world. From where I’m sitting, it’s clear that access to outsiders isn’t easily given.
“You can step out now, Miss Jane.” The driver lets up an umbrella as he opens my door. “Welcome home.”
I walk toward Ryder as Adele leans back.
“Are you mad at me?” she asks him.
“No, Adeline.”
“Disappointed?”
“No.” He smiles. “Not at all.”
“Am I getting a long lecture later?”
“Definitely.”
“Figures.” She sighs. “Can we make dinner together first? Spaghetti?”
He nods, setting her down. “Take out everything we need and set the table. Call out for me when you’re ready.”
“Can we make brownies, too?”
“I’ll think about it.”
She rushes through the open doorway, and Ryder looks over at me.
“Would you like to come inside with us, Autumn?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“There’s always a choice.”
“Well, in that case,” I say, shaking my head, “No.”
“Why not?”
“I desperately need a nap. Besides, my new boss told me that this marks the end of my assignment.”
“It does.” He steps closer, keeping me pinned to the spot with his gaze. “I thought you wanted to talk to me, though.”
“Write me a raincheck.”
“I’d prefer to redeem it now.” He takes my umbrella and slips a hand around my waist, pressing his hand against the small of my back.
Ignoring my request to leave, he leads me through the front door, and I bite my bottom lip to prevent my jaw from dropping.
The inside of his home mirrors the luxury pages in Architectural Digest. The grey stone walls give way to towering ceilings that hold sparkling chandeliers. A fireplace crackles in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, flickering its warmth onto the cold grey and blue furniture.
A collection of violins and cellos guard in front of his marbled double staircase.
Ryder suddenly stops walking and presses me against a wall. “I’m listening.”
“It’s about this job…” I pause as he grips my waist, and my body betrays my mind with a rush of heat. “I would like… I’m trying to say that—I’m not sure if I can—”
“I need you to speak English.”
“I would like to take some significant time off,” I say. “I’ve been on quite a ride over the last twenty-four hours.”
“Hmmm.” He presses his forehead against mine. “Why do I have the feeling that’s not what you really wanted to discuss?”
“Because it isn’t.”
“Then tell me the truth.”
I suck in a breath as he stares deep into my eyes, rendering me utterly speechless.
“Autumn?” He trails a finger against my lips. “Tell me…”
“Where is Adele’s mother?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“She’s not a part of her life?”
“Not since she was six days old,” he says. “And before you ask, no. There were never any feelings there, and there never will be. Anything else?”
“I would like to be out of the dark on at least one more thing.”
“Name it.”
“Given your means of employment—”
“I’m the employer…”
“Right.” I pause. “Well, I’d like you to elaborate on some things that you actually do, so I can have a bit of insight.”
“Name something else.” The sudden dark shift in his eyes makes it more than clear that an explanation will never come.
“How do you and Nate know each other?”
He raises an eyebrow. “I thought we were done discussing your ex-husband.”
“We are, but on a scale of one to ten, how bad would the truth really hurt me?”
“A million.”
My stomach falls to the floor.
“Some questions are better left unanswered,” he says. “I need you to let that go…”
I nod, and he brushes his mouth against mine.
“Would you like a tour of my bedroom?” he whispers against my lips.
“You mean your house?”
“No. I said exactly what I mean…”
Clang! Clash! Pssshhh!
Loud sounds reverberate through the house, and Ryder looks toward the kitchen.
“I’m okay! I’m okay!” Adele calls out. “I’m still getting ready!”
“I really need a nap,” I say. “I’ll take you up on the tour another day.”
“Please do.” He runs his fingers through my hair, and a part of me wants him to disregard my words and finally fuck me right here and now, but he holds back.
“Thank you for completing the job,” he says. “I need you for something else soon, but I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I might not be able to help on short notice again,” I say. “I made plans with someone else.”
“Who?”
“A friend from the past.” I pause. “My best friend, actually.”
“I doubt she’ll prevent you from answering my phone calls.”
If only you knew…
He leads me down two long hallways and opens a door, exposing a courtyard full of luxury vehicles.