Owning Violet (The Fowler Sisters #1)(25)

“Come to dinner with me tonight.”

My mouth drops open and I start to utter my protest, but he holds his hand up, halting me.

“A working dinner,” he reassures me. “I have some ideas I want to share with you in regard to the new line. I’ve gathered a lot of images these last few days and I think the team and I have come up with something amazing.”

Why am I disappointed that he wants this to be a business meeting only? What in the world is wrong with me? I’m supposed to be heartbroken over Zachary. I should still be in love with him and not wanting to be with anyone else. I don’t want to go to dinner with Ryder and talk about business. “Can’t you show me your ideas in our next meeting? We could reschedule if you’d like. I have some free time in the afternoon most of this week.”

He slowly shakes his head. “Some of the suggestions we’ve come up with are … a little out there. Rather than embarrass my team if you flat-out reject their ideas, I thought it would be good if we met prior and I could show you what we’ve come up with so far.”

I’m intrigued despite my wariness. He knows I’m curious about anything that has to do with my project. My baby. “Tonight?” My voice is squeaky and I clear my throat.

“Unless you already have plans.” He keeps his eyes locked on me. As if nothing else matters. I can almost believe that, too. “Do you?”

I did. Before I ended everything with Zachary. “No, I don’t.”

“Perfect.” He smiles. “I’ll arrange everything and email you all the details before lunch.”

“All right. Sounds good.” I turn and start toward the door, eager to get away yet reluctant to leave. He makes me uncomfortable. I can’t quite put my finger on exactly how or why, but there it is.

“Violet?”

I wait until I reach the door before I face him once more, reaching out my hand to rest it on the handle. “Yes?”

“Wear the red dress tonight.” He smiles, looking slightly devilish as he lets that wicked gaze roam over me yet again. “I like you in red.” There’s an undercurrent to his request. An unspoken meaning, as if he’s demanding I wear red to please him and no one else.

I’m so startled by his request I can’t answer him. Instead, I push open the door and practically run down the hall back to the elevator. Back to the safety of my floor and my office, back to normalcy and away from those lusty thoughts that swirl within me every time I’m close to Ryder.

But his words echo in my head for the rest of the morning and I find myself restlessly checking my in-box again and again, hitting refresh so many times I start to annoy myself. The fear that nags at me won’t let up. What if he forgets? What if he has to cancel? What if he’s changed his mind and decides he doesn’t want to see me tonight after all?

And why do I want to see him again so badly?

I remember how he touched me last night when he followed me outside. When he rested his hand on my shoulder, his warm fingers slipping just beneath the lacy strap of my dress. My skin tingles just thinking about it, and I wonder what it would feel like if he touched me with more purpose. If he sunk his hands into my hair and held me still, his mouth descending upon mine. I have no doubt he’s an expert kisser. A master at seduction. He’s so tall and muscular, I can only imagine what his body must be like. Not that Zachary has a bad one, but he’s a little soft in spots. It comes with the desk job, and considering Ryder has one, too … but from what I can tell there’s nothing soft on that man’s body whatsoever. Except, perhaps, his hair.

Oh, and his lips.

A shiver moves down my spine at the thought.

An email comes through and I see the familiar name. I click on it eagerly, my heart hammering in anticipation of what it might say. I should be doing a thousand and one things at the moment and instead I’m waiting for emails like a silly teenager waiting for her boyfriend to call.

Clearly I’ve lost my mind. And I can’t blame it on the alcohol any longer. I may be hung over, but I am stone-cold sober.

Violet,

I’ve made arrangements for us to have dinner at Harper’s at seven o’clock. I hope this works for your schedule and isn’t too early. I know you like to stay late at the office on Wednesday nights, so I tried to accommodate you as best I could.

I sink my teeth into my lower lip, my gaze snagged on the last sentence I read. Had Zachary ever tried to accommodate me in any way?

That would be a no.

I figured we could just ride over together. I’ve arranged for a car. Unless you wanted to go home first, which I completely understand. Let me know.

Best,

Ryder

I should make him wait. I should get on that phone call I’ve been meaning to make for the last few days. Fill out the boring paperwork Rose left me with last Friday that I still haven’t done.

Instead, I hit REPLY and immediately type out my response.

Dear Ryder,

That sounds perfect. I haven’t tried Harper’s but I’ve heard it’s delicious. And hopefully on a Wednesday night it will be quiet enough that we’ll be able to discuss the project freely without disturbing anyone. I look forward to our meeting.

Thank you,

Violet

I hit SEND before I can second-guess myself on what I said, but of course, I second-guess myself. Is it wrong that I said Harper’s was delicious? Or that I hoped it was quiet enough? Did I sound like I was implying anything? God, I’m being ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous—