All the money in the world couldn’t take away her heartache. She wanted to be Ryder’s girlfriend, not his paid lover.
Chapter Ten
Ryder paused by Ari’s door, appalled by what had just happened, how he’d treated her. His gut tightened as he listened to the shower come on. Ari’s muted sob prompted him to enter the bedroom. Ryder moved past her rumpled bed to the bathroom. He entered the steamy space and swore when he heard Ari in the shower crying.
Ryder stripped out of his clothes and opened the shower door.
Ari looked over her shoulder at him. “G-go away.”
Her wobbly voice wrecked Ryder’s heart as she turned her back to him. “Ari, please don’t cry.” Ryder stepped inside the shower, closed the door and wrapped his arms around her trembling body.
His touch made Ari cry harder.
“Dammit, Ari. I’m sorry.” Ryder kissed her shoulder, relieved when Ari shifted to face him beneath the cascading water. His held her tighter as she rested her head on his chest.
Ryder caressed her back, feeling like a heel as her soft cries became sniffles. He waited until she quieted to reach for the shower gel. Wanting to comfort her, Ryder poured some into his hands. He smoothed his bubbly fingers all over Ari and gently washed the front of her body. Ari shivered beneath his touch but remained silent as he turned her away from him.
Ryder pushed her twists over her shoulder and reached for the soap again.
“Ryder…”
“Shh…” Ryder washed her backside, noting her sharp intake of breath as he skated his soapy hands over her curves. He continued sluicing the water all over Ari, taking care to rinse the lather off of her skin.
Task completed, Ryder turned off the water. He stepped out of the shower then grabbed a towel from the linen stand nearby and cinched it around his waist. Ryder picked up a second towel and enveloped Ari in it when she came out. He rubbed the towel over her, drying her off then wrapped another towel around Ari’s twists. Ryder squeezed out the excess water. “Feel better?” Ryder glanced at Ari, almost regretting his question when her eyes filled with tears.
“A little.”
Ryder took some measure of comfort in her soft statement. “Come.” He took hold of her hand and led her back into the bedroom. Ryder pushed back her covers and patted his hand on the mattress. “Get in.”
Ari complied and Ryder tucked her in. He went to the other side of the bed, quickly dried off with the towel around his waist then slipped beneath the sheets with Ari. Ryder pulled Ari against his body. “Try to sleep.” He nuzzled his chin on her hair, happy when she finally melted against him.
Ryder rest his arm on Ari’s hip and listened to her breathe. His cock stirred in response to Ari’s soft curves pressed against him. Ryder tamped down the desire coursing through him as he held Ari. He relaxed as she drifted asleep, keeping still in the darkness, trying not to conjure up images of Ari’s stricken plea before he’d taken her.
Sometime later, Ryder eased himself away from Ari. He paused when she moaned in her sleep, waiting a few minutes more to be sure she wouldn’t wake as he slipped out of bed. Ryder took a moment to look down at Ari, fighting the urge to get back beneath the covers with her. She stirred his heart, fast asleep with her dark twists a delicious contrast against her white pillow. Ryder reached out and touched her hair before exiting her room.
Ryder closed her door and headed to his room to pack. Twenty minutes later, he wheeled his carry-on through the living room in the dark. He went over to the front door, unlocked and opened it then stepped outside. Cicadas sang for him as he locked up the cottage and moved off the porch. Ryder ignored the rain drops pelting his face as he made his way to the limo waiting for him.
“Sorry for the lateness of the hour, Trent.”
Trent shrugged. “No worries, sir.” He opened Ryder’s door then took hold of his carry-on as he slid into the seat. “Where to?”
“The airport.”
Trent nodded. “Very well.”
Ryder looked at the darkened cottage as Trent shut the door. He considered staying, getting out of the limo and waking Ari to talk to her. Ryder sat back in his seat, exhausted but wired. He didn’t want to hurt Ari any more than he had already because he was hurting.
The limo pulled away from the beach house and Ryder shifted his gaze to the front of the car. He regretted his harsh words to Ari. He’d taken her concern and twisted it into something ugly because of how he felt inside. Deal or no deal, he’d taken things too far.
Ryder stared unseeing out of the window. In a few hours, he’d confront his dad about Cassie. Ryder shook his head. He didn’t understand how his dad could use someone’s weakness against them in order to get them to bend to his will.
Really? You’re a chip off the old block, pal.
Irritated, Ryder rubbed the bridge of his nose, his thoughts drifting back to Ari. He was pretty sure she’d be relieved to discover he’d gone in a few hours but he missed her already. Ryder reached for the bottle of Scotch he always kept stocked in the mini bar. Not bothering to get a glass, he unscrewed the lid and took a generous swig.
He would deal with the twisted family secret first then take care of whatever the hell was happening between him and Ari. Ryder drank more of the liquor. He’d wanted to teach Ari a lesson, but it was he who’d been schooled.
* * * *
“Ryder!” His mother’s eyes widened as she opened the door. She smiled as she embraced him, elegant as ever in a mauve-colored dress.
“Hello, Mom.” Ryder hugged her tight.
“This is a surprise.” Paige stepped back, letting him in with a delighted laugh. “It’s so good to have you home.”
Ryder smiled, realizing it was the first time he didn’t feel the same way. “It’s good to see you. You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you.” Paige looked at her slim gold watch. “I’m helping a friend plan her second wedding.”
“Fun.”
Paige groaned. “Not really, but I’m good at it and she is a dear friend.” His mom touched his arm. “I can’t believe you’re here. Nathan didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“Last minute plans.” Ryder followed his mother into the foyer. “Is he here?”
Paige nodded. “He’s in the dining room. We were just finishing up breakfast. Can I get you some pancakes and eggs?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“It’s not like you to skip out on my buttermilk hotcakes.”
Ryder locked gazes with his dad as he entered the foyer. “I’ll take some coffee, Mom.”
His mother patted him on the shoulder. “Coming up. Nathan, would you like a refill?
“Sure.” His dad focused on him as Paige left the room. “Hello, Ryder.
“Dad.” Unwanted mental pictures of Cassie and his father together sharpened Ryder’s anger.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you.”
His father gave him a quizzical look. “About?”
“Cassie Bryer.” Ryder decided to cut to the quick. “I know about Nathaniel.”
His father paled beneath his California tan. “Shit. Now, Ryder, listen—”
“No. You listen. How the fuck could you?” Ryder took a step toward his dad. “You knew how much I loved her.”
“Ryder—”
Both men turned as Paige entered the foyer with two cups in hand. “Two coffees for you guys.” Paige glanced at both of them then frowned. “Okay, why do you two look like there’s nothing left to smile about in the world?”
“We’re just talking about business.” Nathan took the mugs from Paige and handed one to Ryder. “You heading out now?”
“Yes.” Paige flashed him a wry look. “Trying to get rid of me, I see.” She winked at Ryder.
Ryder tightened his jaw in order to hold his tongue. “Have a good time, Mom.” He gave her another hug.
“I’ll only be gone a few hours.” Paige smoothed a hand over her coiffed hair. “Will you still
be here?”
“Yes, I have a meeting later.” Ryder glanced at his dad. “We’ll spend some time together before I leave.”
His mom smiled. “Okay.” Paige kissed Ryder then Nathan on the cheeks. “Then I’ll see you both later.”
Ryder watched his mother walk over to the front door and waited until it closed to face his dad. “She doesn’t know?”
“No.” His father held up his hand. “Look, there’s nothing I can say to excuse or explain what happened between Cassie and me. I had a lapse of judgment that I will regret until the day I die.”
Ryder smirked. “Have you been practicing that speech, Dad? You sure the hell did have a lapse of judgment. You also had another kid. Another son that you’ve yet to fully accept as yours, from what Cassie tells me.”
“That’s not true. I’ve supported Cassie and Nathaniel.”
Ryder stared at his father, unfazed by his raised voice. “You’ve supported them, right. Throwing cash at them isn’t enough. To say that I’m saddened that all this has happened would be more than an understatement.” Ryder paused, determined not to yell. “Finding out that you’ve been holding on to this secret, keeping it from Mom and me for so many years and lying to yourself that doing so is okay, is doubly disappointing. You’ve deprived me of having a relationship with my half-brother.” Ryder ignored the fury in his father’s eyes as he got in his face. “Unlike you, I plan to welcome Nathaniel into our family because he is family.”
“Look—”
“What’s the real reason you want me to take over the resort? Does that have something to do with Cassie too?”
Nathan stared at him, his ruddy face getting redder. “I’m filing for bankruptcy.”
“What?”
“I made a couple of bad investments, dipped into the savings more than I wanted to.”
“Does Mom know about this?”
“She doesn’t need to. I’m going to recover but it’s going to take some time. I want the resort in your name so I don’t lose it.”
“Jesus, Dad. The lies…” Ryder scratched his head, confounded by yet more gut-wrenching news.
“I can’t afford to take care of Cassie and Nathaniel like I was anymore either.”
“You mean you can’t keep paying her huge amounts of money to keep her mouth closed? Well, don’t worry. I do believe she’s tired of keeping quiet for your sake.” Ryder snorted. “I’m outta here.” Ryder turned and headed for door, not willing to stand another minute in the presence of his father.
“Ryder, let’s talk about this.”
Ryder turned to look at his father as he placed his hand on the door knob. “Dad, I love you, but in this moment? I can’t stand the sight of you. I’m done talking about this for now, but you’d better have a conversation with mom.”
His dad balked. “Son, wait—”
“Tell her, Dad”—Ryder opened the door—“sooner than later, because I will not keep this secret for you like Cassie did.” His cold tone mirrored the state of his heart as he stepped outside into the brilliant sunshine.
* * * *
“C’mon. C’mon.” Ari placed her hand on the wheel to honk just as the driver in front of her decided to finally move out of the way. With a muttered curse, Ari maneuvered her rental car into the right lane for the terminal Jay had flown in to. She was looking forward to her brother’s unexpected visit. The last three weeks had been difficult and lonely.
Ari changed the channel when a melancholy love song began to play. As much as she loved heartfelt ballads, she didn’t want to listen to them. It had been damn hard singing them without becoming too emotional on stage some nights. All because of one night.
Ari straightened in her seat as she slowed down, her body warming as she recalled the last evening she’d been with Ryder. His words to her on that night replayed often in her mind, along with dark, erotic flashbacks of him fucking her up against the wall. Ryder’s refusal to disclose whatever had been bothering him still pained her. She’d hated how closed off he’d made her feel from him, but her pulse leaped every time their wild encounter swept through her mind.
Ari kept some distance between her and the car in front of her. She gripped the wheel tighter in frustration. Ryder had effectively put distance between them, with no contact for over three weeks. Irrigational longing had prompted Ari to call Ryder and she’d gotten his voicemail. Hearing his voice had been a treat but she’d lacked the courage to leave a message, especially with his short text burned into her mind.
I will see to it that you have a suitable accompanist.
True to his word, Ryder had found her a capable accompanist.
Those eleven cold and impersonal words would have hurt Ari much more if she didn’t have the sensual memories of him comforting her in the shower. He’d been so tender, so attentive. Discovering Ryder had left the next morning had saddened Ari. She’d needed the rest and was glad Ryder hadn’t tried to engage her in any conversation, but there had been so much she’d wanted to say to him. That night her feelings had been too raw, too convoluted to add up to anything other than emotional pain.
Ari was under no illusions she had herself to blame for her bleeding heart—her terms, her deal. It was she who should’ve apologized for overstepping the parameters of their arrangement.
Ari flipped the radio channel again to a more upbeat pop song as she came closer to the terminal entrance where Jay would be. She searched the throng of people waiting then smiled when she saw him standing curbside with an impatient look on his face.
Ari stopped the car in front of him and rolled down the window. “What’s up, big brother?”
“You’re late.”
“Hey, this airport is a madhouse.” Ari grinned as her brother put his carry-on in the back of the car, happy to see him. “Welcome to Florida,” Ari said as Jay got into the passenger seat.
“It’s hot as hell here.”
“Who you tellin’?” Ari cut her eyes at her brother. “This is a good day, not super-duper humid. I swear I’ve lost five pounds in sweat since being here.”
Jay turned up the air conditioner. “Well, you look good.”
“Thanks.” Ari smiled as she worked her way back into the traffic, leaving the busy airport.
“Yup. I’m happy you look much better than you sounded the other day.”
Ari tightened her grip on the wheel. “I told you I was getting over a cold.”
“Bullshit. Whoa, Ari. You almost clipped that taxi.”
“I know how to drive, Jay.”
“Right. How far are we from The Cove?”
Ari sighed. “Just a few minutes.” She glanced at Jay then rolled her eyes when he tugged on his seatbelt. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you there in one piece.”
“You’d better.” Jay took his phone out of his jeans pocket and fiddled with it. “Shannon sends her love.”
“How is she?”
“Over the moon. She’s like a new woman ever since her mammogram came back clear.”
Ari nodded, taking care not to ride the bumper of the car in front of her. “I was so glad to hear the news.”
“Ari, I’m so relieved. I mean, we’re not out of the woods yet, but we are both more hopeful about her next screening.” Jay clapped his hand on his thigh. “It’s so nice to hear her laugh again, really laugh. I hope she has some fun with her mom this weekend.”
“I thought those two didn’t get along?”
Jay chuckled. “They have their moments, but cancer changed everything. If anything positive came out of Shannon’s illness, it’s their commitment to work on their relationship.”
“I’m glad to hear that”—Ari cast her eyes to Jay—“especially after dealing with so much such emotional turmoil.”
“Speaking of emotional turmoil—”
“Are you hungry?” Ari flipped on the radio and started bopping to the hit song playing.
Jay gave her a sardonic grin. “I guess I could go for a tasty…subject change.”
“Ha ha. You’re hilarious. Seriously, I didn’t cook.”
“Didn’t think you could.” Jay laughed when Ari glared at him.
“You know I can whip a few things up, brother chef.”
“Uh huh. I know and that’s good news because I am hungry.”
Ari snapped her fingers. “I know what we’ll have.”
An hour later, Ari set Jay’s favorite bottle of beer beside his pizza. “Here you go.”
“Just what I wanted.” Jay twisted the lid off the bottle and took a sip. “So good.”
Ari wrinkled her nose as she took her seat. “I’ll take your word for it.” She lifted her strawberry margarita. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.” Jay clinked his glass to hers. He picked up his veggie-and-sausage-laden slice then took a bite. “Say, this isn’t bad for a delivery pizza.”
“I know, right?” Ari sprinkled pepper over her pizza. “Of course it’s not as good as the one you make from scratch.” Ari winked as she tasted her slice.
“I told you I’d make it.”
Ari shook her head, finishing her bite. “No, no, no. You’re here to relax. No cooking.”
“Cooking for me is relaxing.” Jay took another swig of his beer. “Just like I imagine singing is for you.”
“True.” Ari glanced away from the table to the piano visible in the living room, her thoughts drifting to Ryder.
“There’s that tone again.” Jay tilted his bottle in her direction. “You’re not ‘good’ like you’ve been trying to convince me over the phone these past few weeks. I know taking this job wasn’t exactly what you wanted to do, but you seemed to be adjusting.” Her brother gestured around the cottage. “Ryder told me the spot you’d be staying in would be comfortable but this place goes above and beyond that. You’ve got the perfect nook here by the beach to practice and relax.”
“It is beautiful here.”
“Yes, it is. So the location doesn’t have you blue. Has singing at The Cove sapped you of your creative energy?”
Ari chuckled. “No, nothing that dire.” Ari picked a black olive off her pizza and ate it. “I get to sing songs I like and the people here seem to really enjoy my performances.”
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