Page 113 of Rival to the Billionaire

"You look amazing in that tux."

A big smile spreads on his face, and he squeezes my hand over the rhythm of our steps. "And you're still looking just as gorgeous."

"Thanks," I say, smiling at his compliment. "I see you're a gentleman after all."

"You ever doubt it?" he asks. I nod my head, and he laughs. "I had a lot to learn, Miss Forde."

"Might I say you learned it well."

"I hope so."

Over the sensual beat, we move in perfect unison with each other. I can't quite make out the lyrics, but the guitarist's voice is smooth and sexy.

"I missed you tonight," I whisper, leaning my head up against his shoulder.

"I missed you, too." He tightens his grip on me, pulling me in closer. "I'm so sorry I'm late. I had a meeting with Henry Baxter. He's fully putting his support behind our IPO and the Ultimate Reading app. I told him about how Chastity wanted to put her support behind us. Or, rather, how she wanted me to put my, uh, support behind her." I lift my gaze, meeting his eyes. Ryder smirks. "He told me to send his ex-future daughter-in-law his warmest regards."

"He did?"

"No. He told me to tell Chastity Sanders to go fuck herself."

"That sounds like the man I've heard of." I look up at him, a little giddy about the news. "I'm sorry you have to deal with them, but this is great for your app."

"For our app," he corrects. "Not so much for Chastity."

I chuckle. "Of course."

"I am sorry I'm late," he repeats. "It won't happen again."

"Was it worth it? The meeting, I mean. Was it worth being late?"

"You have no idea," he says with a wicked smile. "I'll tell you about it tomorrow. But right now…"

His voice trails off, and I raise my eyebrow. "Right now, what?"

"I think we should celebrate."

"Celebrate? Oh, Jesus, don’t tell me it’s by breaking the law or something? Wasn’t one arrest enough for you?”

Ryder lets out a laugh, and then he pauses. His eyes still fixed on mine, his hand still on my back. "Jen…I have to tell you something. And I need you to keep an open mind."

I swallow. "Okay."

"You might want to sit down for this."

"I think I'll stay standing," I say, a sudden anxiousness filling my body. "Um, please go ahead. I'm listening."

He takes a deep breath. "You know how your sister left her husband, and she's been attending those meetings to help her through it?"

I nod.

"And you know how your mother's been attending domestic violence meetings herself?"

"Yeah." Of course, I do.

"Right, well… Your mom and I were talking the other day, and?—"

"You talk to my mom?" I interrupt. "Since when?"

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