Chapter Eighty One
Celeste’s POV
“My girlfriend?” Ryan asked, face a picture of surprise. “Who told you I was moving to live with my girlfriend?”
Was he planning on keeping it a secret forever?
“Molly mentioned you were moving out yesterday because your father had found you a girlfriend.” I said nonchalantly as I fished my car keys from my handbag.
Ryan’s eyes held an odd twinkle as he asked, “And what do you think about that?”
I shrugged. “You’re at the right age to settle down and start a family, so I guess congratulations are in order. Your father has one less thing to worry about.”
A provocative smile curled his perfectly sculpted lips, and I started down the steps. My cheeks flushed unbidden.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re jealous, Celeste.
Ryan’s teasing tone made me freeze as he hit a sore spot I was desperately trying to ignore. Light footsteps approached, and I forced myself to get a grip.
Lcouldn’t look like a fool in front of my assistant.
“Oh, that’s ridiculous.” I forced a laugh. “I see you didn’t forget your ego at home today.”
My pulse stuttered when his warm breath fanned the back of my neck, sending a delicious shudder through me.
“Then why can’t you meet my gaze?” His voice was a deep purr.
My heart somersaulted from his proximity, but my pride refused to let him see the effect he had on me. I whipped around, staring definitely into those mesmerizing green eyes.
“I’m not jealous, Ryan, just dealing with a PR nightmare.”
The playfulness and hunger in his gaze died down. Instead, his eyes traced my face with a raw vulnerability that wrenched at my soul.
“Then why did you kiss me that night in the studio? Why did you do it again in my car after the Mars‘ party?” He pleaded, a strain of desperation in his voice. “Didn’t it mean something, Celeste?”
I blinked at him, my heart tearing apart.
This felt like a cruel joke. Why was he looking at me like that when we both knew he already belonged to another? I had too much on my plate, too much respect for myself to fall for whatever game he was playing.
I cursed myself for my lack of self control for the umpteenth time since sleeping with him.
“Ryan, we were just two adults satisfying each other’s needs.” I shrugged, smiling lightly through the persistent ache in my chest. “It was fun, but it’s over. You have someone else to satisfy those needs now.”
A flash of hurt crossed his eyes before his face hardened.
“I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” he started, but couldn’t take it anymore.
I turned around to continue down the stairs, and he followed me.
He continued. “I don’t-”
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+25 BONUS
Chapter Eighty One
“I don’t want to hear it, Ryan.” I snapped at him over my shoulder.
Then my stomach lurched as I lost my footing. Ryan grabbed my arm, swinging me into his chest, and I clutched at his shirt instinctively.
“Please let me explain.” He breathed. “I don’t have a-”
I jerked out of his steady hands. “Right now, my business is going up in flames. Can we focus on that right now and finish this conversation another time?”
I didn’t wait for a response. Turning around, I hurried down the stairs and climbed into my car–half expecting him not to follow me.
But he did. He was always there, as promised.
The drive to Julie estate was uncomfortable, to say the least. Ryan made small talk, sticking strictly to business topics, and it was obvious my attempt to create distance had been a success.
So what was this sinking feeling in my chest?
“Let’s do this.” I said, parking my car in front of Julie’s mansion.
I flung open my door and stepped out as Ryan reached to open it for me. He pulled his hand back awkwardly and ran it through his dark, tousled hair.
We walked up to the front door in silence and I waited with my heart in my throat as he rang the bell. The large double doors swung open, and a neatly dressed man stepped out to greet us.
“Good morning, sir, madam.” The butler said, bowing. “May I ask whom I have the pleasure of addressing?”
“James, right?” I asked, stepping forward to hold out my hand. “I’m Rosemary.”
His eyes widened a fraction, but he quickly smoothed out his face and shook my outstretched hand.
“Unfortunately, my mistress is unavailable at the moment.” He said with a tight smile.
“Oh, that’s not a problem.” My gaze hardened. “I actually wanted to speak to you.”
The color drained from his cheeks, and he stepped back to close the door. “We have nothing to discuss-”
But Ryan was faster.
He caught the door and spoke in a hard tone. “Rosemary isn’t done speaking, James.”
I shot him a thankful glance before pinning the butler with a glare.
“Yesterday morning, my colleague entrusted you with a box containing a one of a kind necklace. Julie, however, received a different necklace of inferior quality.” I said, voice cold steel. “So tell me, James, how did the necklace go missing while it was in your possession?”
The butler stared at me, face ghostly pale, before a look of indignant rage crossed his features.
“The box I received is the box I handed to my mistress–no swapping of necklaces.” He seethed, shoulders trembling. “Vacate these premises at once, or I’ll have security escort you out!”
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