Chapter Fifty Three
Chapter Fifty Three
Celeste’s POV
The car thrusted forward, pressing me into the seat. My lips parted as I watched Ryan maneuver the powerful machine with a casual case.
It was ridiculously sexy.
He glanced at me before looking back at the road, a smile tugging on his lips.
“You’re drooling, Celeste.”
Celeste, last night wasn’t a mistake–at least not for me.
His teasing simmered down after I shamelessly ignored those words he’d said so tenderly yesterday–but it looked like my reprieve was over.
“This car is, uh, incredible.” I stammered, cheeks flushing. “I’ve never ridden in anything as luxurious as this before.”
He chuckled, those dimples of his making my stomach flutter when it shouldn’t.
“Wanna take it for a spin?”
My eyes went round as I vigorously shook my head.
“Are you insane? I’d never be able to pay off the repairs if I wrap a car like this around a streetlight.”
Ryan’s deep, velvety laugh filled the small space.
“What on earth are you doing with such a high end car, anyway?” I asked, curiosity eating me alive. “Damien wasn’t right–you didn’t steal it, did you?”
“Oh, I never mentioned my latest hobby? I thieve cars worth millions and take gorgeous women joyriding, hoping to get laid.”
“And that works?” I raised an unimpressed eyebrow.
Ryan flashed me a lopsided smirk. “Judging from the way you’re devouring me with your eyes, I’d say my chances are pretty high.”
I swatted his arm, and he shot me a wink, eyes dancing with mirth.
“But seriously, where’d you get the car?”
He ran a hand through his hair, messing up his waves in a way that made me itch to fix them.
“This is one of my college roommate’s rides–he’s crazy rich. He lent it to me so my boss could make a lasting impression at Celine’s extravagant party.” Ryan paused, grip tightening ever so slightly on the steering wheel. ” And to show your ex that you’re worthy of only the best.”
I thought about his fake watch and how Vanessa and Damien had mocked him for being poor, and my chest ached. It must have gotten under his skin.
“You shouldn’t have gone through the trouble. I don’t care about wealth and status–that’s not how I value people.” I couldn’t help but smile at him. “It’s why I think you’re worth a million Damien’s, regardless of your bank balance.”
Ryan gave me a showstopper smile that made the temperature in the car rise several degrees.
Chapter Fifty Three:
“That must be easy for the famous, in–demand top designer Rosemary to say.”
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I shook my head. “I use a pseudonym so I can focus on my craft without dealing with the limelight. I’ve only been pushing as hard as I have to make big money so I could fight Damien for custody.”
Then the smile fell from my face.
“Celeste, is something bothering you?” He asked as concern creased his brows. “You seemed shaken when I fetched you.”
I whispered, as my heart broke all over again.
“I don’t have a daughter anymore.”
Ryan swiftly pulled over to the side of the road and switched on the hazard lights. He unbuckled and turned in his seat, gazing at me with a gentleness that made my walls crumble.
“Speak to me.” He said as the first tears slipped down my cheeks.
“I completely cut ties with Bonnie.” I said flatly. “She officially hates me and wants Vanessa to be her mother.”
He listened attentively as I recounted each devastating detail.
“Maybe I should have tried harder? I feel like a terrible person.” I buried my face in my hands.
“Hey, don’t say that.” Ryan gently pried my hands away and tilted my chin up to look at him. “You’re the kindest, most determined and loyal person I know.”
My lip wobbled at the sincerity in his voice.
“Bonnie won’t be an impressionable five–year–old forever. She’ll realize who truly loves her and who’s only using her. She’ll come back to you.” He brushed a thumb over my tears. “Just leave the door open.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because no matter how much she takes after Damien, she’s still half Celeste. She’s got a good head on her shoulders.” Ryan swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing. “Besides, that maternal bond isn’t so easily broken.”
“Not even by death?” I asked softly, knowing what the sadness in his eyes meant.
He gave me a faint smile.
“Bonnie throwing away a relationship I wanted–still want so desperately reminds me of how I took my mother for granted.” His voice wavered as he glanced to the side. “Not knowing she was a car ride away from never coming back.”
I clasped his hand as my heart softened.
“Ryan, she forgave your harsh words as they left your lips and she loved you with her whole heart until her last breath.” My fingers combed through his tousled hair. “Take it from a mother.”
He caught my hand and nuzzled into my palm, eyes closed tightly.
“Thank you, Celeste.” Sparks ignited as he spoke against my skin. “Then, now, you’re always the light in my darkness.”
My voice came out too breathy. “Ryan, you’re the one who’s always coming to my rescue.”
He fixed his intense eyes on me, and the electric pull of his gaze made me melt and catch on fire all at once.
Chapter Fifty Three
“And yet I’ll never be able to repay you.” His voice was deep, raw.
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Ryan’s gaze slid to my lips, and I shuddered as he traced them with a featherlight brush of his thumb. My eyes fluttered closed, heart hammering as he leaned in.
“Oh, my clumsy, accident prone Celeste.” I gasped, eyes flying open as his hot breath fanned my face. “Eager as ever to make another mistake.”
We were so close all I could see was the challenge in his eyes–and yet it wasn’t close enough.
“Shut it, smart–mouth.” I breathed.
Ryan leaned in, his lips a hair’s breadth from mine.
“Why don’t you make-”
His words were lost as I captured his lips and kissed him for all I was worth.
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