Owning Violet (The Fowler Sisters #1)(19)
“He’s not my fiancé,” I say.
Ryder frowns. “What?”
“Zachary. We’re not engaged.” I don’t know if we’re ever going to get engaged, but I don’t tell Ryder that.
“Of course. I’m not surprised.” He’s practically fuming, he seems so mad, and I can’t help the tendrils of pleasure that curl through me at his words. “I can’t say I’m not glad he’s such a stupid f*ck. And why would an intelligent woman like you waste so much time with that *?” He studies me, his anger fading into confusion. “What’s even more puzzling is why are you still talking to me?”
My heart kicks up speed at the way he’s staring at me. “Wh-what do you mean?”
He moves closer, intimidatingly so. I feel trapped. “We both know who I am. What I’m like.”
I don’t really know much about him at all, but I don’t argue. “Really. So tell me, what are you like?”
He smiles, and something deep within me begins to throb. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Frightened by the intensity in his eyes, the double meaning in his words, I walk away from Ryder without a backward glance, heading toward the railing so I can see the view of the city more clearly. Leaning against the metal bars that separate me from certain death, I tilt my head back and close my eyes, relishing the rush of the wind. It’s stronger here, closer to the edge. I can’t remember the last time I stood close to the edge, either figuratively or literally.
Of course, Ryder follows me. He’s like a wild dog and I believe I’ve become his favorite bone. What a gruesome thought. “Are you upset over Lawrence wanting to go to London while you want marriage?”
I hesitate. This conversation has become personal fast. I shouldn’t open up to him. Ryder McKay seems the type that would use my words against me to his advantage. “I don’t know if I want marriage. Not yet, anyway. But a commitment would go a long way in showing that he’s …” Invested. Why am I telling him this? “Not that it’s any of your business,” I add.
“You’re one hundred percent right. It is none of my business.
But I had hoped we could at least become … allies, Violet. We’re going to be working together very closely over the next few months.” I turn to find him watching me carefully, his arm overlapping the metal bar, the breeze tossing his hair carelessly about his head. It’s a good look for him. The elegant suit, that unruly mess of hair blowing, his gorgeous face, and all that pent-up anger still hanging onto him. Very sexy, dark, and dangerous. I’ve never been attracted to dark and dangerous. I dealt with that enough in my past. Fought against it and won.
So why am I suddenly drawn to this man? And why does it feel like he’s also drawn to me?
“I don’t dislike you,” I say. “We can have a professional relationship.”
“But what about what’s happening now?” The pointed look he gives me is filled with unspoken meaning. Meaning I’m not sure I want to decipher.
I go ahead and try, even though I’m nervous. “What exactly are you referring to?”
“You know what I’m talking about, Violet.” His eyes never leave mine. “There’s more between Pilar and Lawrence. You know there is.” A pause, and his gaze darkens, if that’s possible. “And you know there’s something going on between you and me.”
Chapter Six
Ryder
The plan came together faster than I thought. Considering we don’t have much time before Lawrence leaves for his test run in London, this is a good thing. Pilar has already worked her magic. Lawrence is practically mauling her in public, he’s so in lust with her. She told me they kissed last night in the office when everyone had left and she had her hand on his dick within seconds.
But that’s all she told me, the conniving little witch. I know there must be more. Funny how she’s always digging at me for information but has become oddly tight-lipped when it comes to that utter douche in a suit.
I don’t f*cking get it. Not that I’m giving her much information in return. Not that I even have that much information to give her. I attended the meeting with Violet. Stopped by her office this morning with the excuse that I wanted to go over a few things regarding plans for the packaging but she blew me off, saying she had a meeting to go to and she was already late.
She flew out of her office within seconds of my arrival, keeping her head down so we couldn’t make eye contact. Weird. I got the sense that I still make her uncomfortable, which is going to be a giant obstacle if she doesn’t get over that.
Besides, women don’t blow me off, even for business matters. Arrogant but true.
I knew tonight was my best chance to truly start working on her, getting into her head and filling it with doubt regarding her boyfriend and Pilar. Pilar and I had discussed it but hadn’t come up with a plan prior to arriving. Hell, we arrived separately because I knew that if something went down tonight, I wouldn’t want to leave with Pilar.
It wouldn’t look right, not when I’m the one who’s supposed to be hurting and pissed at her.
I hadn’t bargained on Violet looking so heartbreakingly beautiful, though, which was a mistake on my part. When I first saw her, she took my breath away, and I didn’t think that was possible, I’m such a callous *. But that dress, the way it reveals her creamy, smooth skin but not too much. A hint of sexiness mixed with those big, velvety eyes full of pain and wariness. She doesn’t trust me. Smart girl.