Page 80 of Rival to the Billionaire

"It was a blind date. We don't know each other that well," I remind him, moving toward the bed. I grab a sheet from it, wrapping it around my body like a sarong. "And yes, we've been talking." I swallow. "But it's strictly business between us." I already know the truth of my words, but with Ryder standing here, possessive and hot, everything I do feels wary under his gaze.

"Alright," Ryder says. He crosses his arms tightly over his chest, stepping a bit closer. "So, what did you need to talk about?"

"It's private," I say softly, looking up at him, my heart tripping at the smoldering look in his eyes. "I mean, it's private and I'd rather it stay private. So please don't ask me what we talked about."

"I'll be reasonable," Ryder swears, taking another step closer. “He wants to invest? In Hare & Holeton. Holy fuck. That’s new.” His eyes roam, finding inspiration. “Hell, maybe if he did, we wouldn’t have to rely so heavily on Henry Baxter’s investment. Maybe then we could cut out any leverage that his son Devin has for trying to blackmail us into that partnership bullshit on the Ultimate Reading app that he’s so intent on?—“

“Nothing has been confirmed,” I interrupt, staring at Ryder's eyes, then I nod. "He's researching investments for his own company, that's all."

"I see."

Ryder looks at me, his gaze on the sheet I'm holding around my body. His eyes flash and his nostrils flare and he takes yet another step closer.

"You can't tell me more?" he asks, a light, seductive note in his voice.

"Mm. I'm sorry. I promised to keep our convos confidential until Julian and I discuss more.”

"So…there's no reason for me to worry about the two of you, is there? You're not trying to replace me, are you?"

My hands tremble slightly as Ryder reaches out, pulling me close.

"I mean, you're not trying to swap out Sabado in your bed instead of me, are you?" he whispers in my ear, his voice tight.

"No. No. That's not it," I manage to say, filled with the feeling of Ryder's body hot against mine. My arms are wrapped around his neck, my fingers in his hair. Our mouths are so close and his breath is warm on my cheek, my eager lips. "He's not interested in me."

"Good," Ryder murmurs. He kisses my mouth softly, pulling me even tighter against him. I let out a little moan and he sucks my lower lip, flicking it with his tongue.

A feeling of longing and sadness sweeps through me as I realize how easily Ryder believes me. No questions. No doubt.

I haven't lied about anything, but I've certainly kept things from him. About what I've said to Julian. About the reasons why Julian is interested in investing in H&H.

If Ryder knew the truth, would he still be kissing me now? Or would he fly off the handle, his impulsive, non-conventional thinking screaming in protest?

I don't know the answer to that question. But I'm willing to lie an extra mile and a half to have Ryder kiss me the way he's kissing me right now.

First things first…

I have to get us both through this conference. And then back to the board meeting that awaits Ryder and me.

The conference will be over tomorrow. Only two more days of this.

And maybe in that time I can find a way to figure out what the hell I'm going to do about Ryder, my feelings for him and his app…and how I'm going to save my own career in the process.

* * *

By the timethe conference breaks for lunch, it's almost scary how fast the hours have flown by. In different sessions for the majority of the morning, Ryder and I have kept up our brief interactions casual, his lingering looks leaving me tingling.

The urge to confess to Ryder about Julian is like a heavy weight on my mind. Every time I see Ryder's eyes meet mine after another meeting, I can't help but glance toward the door. Will Julian be here? Should I walk over and talk to him? Or should I wait until the end of the day?

With only two hours until Ryder's presentation of the Ultimate Reading app, my head is spinning, my heart racing. I'm desperately searching in the back of my mind for a solution to this problem, some way I can confess to Ryder without blowing up the deal or giving myself away or losing my job or any of it. How can I let him rave about an app that, if my old goal goes as planned, he won't even be around to see launch?

Once we get free of the conference, I know I'll have to tell him. And suddenly, I'm afraid. Afraid that telling him will change everything.

Will he dump me after discovering I've lied to him? Maybe. Maybe he'll even dump me before that, when he sees the deception on my face.

Only time will tell.

But for now, I need alcohol. Lots and lots of it.

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