Owning Violet (The Fowler Sisters #1)(35)

She pushes her lips into an exaggerated pout. “I miss you, Ryder. It’s not the same.”

I want to roll my eyes but restrain myself. “It all went down only two nights ago, Pilar. You act like we haven’t talked in months.”

“It feels like it.” She shrugs, turning toward the window that faces downtown. “I’m afraid you won’t care about me anymore when you fall for Violet.”

“Who says I’m going to fall for her? And I will always care about you. You know this,” I reassure her. I sound like I’m on repeat, saying the same thing to her over and over again. I’ve said the same words so many times, they’re starting to mean nothing.

“You’ll fall for her. Every man seems to fall for her. I don’t understand why. She’s nothing special. Just some weak, stupid little girl who can barely hold her shit together. The other one is too tough to make up for that disgustingly beautiful face of hers, and the oldest one is a complete whorish mess.” Pilar leans forward so she’s perched on the edge of her seat. “The Fowler sisters are falling apart. Their grandmother and their father will see eventually, and maybe then they’ll let an outsider come in to run the company.”

“I’m assuming you believe you’re the perfect person to do that?” Now I do roll my eyes. “Give me a break, Pilar. If that ever happens, we’re still a long way out. Focus on doing what you can here and then move on to another cosmetics company. Or a fashion house. Something bigger and better than this.”

She reaches out and punches the edge of my desk with her fist, her face full of fury. “I want this company,” she says through clenched teeth. “This is what matters to me. Fleur. Nothing else. That they continue to practice such blatant nepotism when those two girls can barely keep their shit together is beyond me.”

I glance at the screen of my desktop, see that I have a new email. From Violet. I tune out Pilar as she continues her diatribe and read what Violet wrote.

Dear Ryder,

I hope you didn’t think me rude with the way our phone call ended. It’s been bothering me and I hate to imagine you being offended over my hanging up on you. You mentioned someone had come into your office. Well, someone had come into mine, too.

If that hadn’t happened, who knows where our conversation could’ve taken us? Somewhere exciting, I’m thinking. But of course, having these sorts of conversations via the company phone or company email isn’t the smartest route, correct?

So here’s my cell number: (212) 555-2624. You can send yours if you want. In fact, I would love it if you did. That way if I need anything from you … in regard to the new project … you’re merely a text away.

I’m looking forward to our lunch meeting. I know you’ll show me plenty of new ideas that will keep me begging for more.

Yours,

V

“… and I’m not going to bother giving you any more details because you’ll just end up jealous. You’re a complete * when you’re jealous, you know.”

I blink Pilar into focus, trying my best to remember what she just said, but there’s no use. I’m still mulling over Violet’s email. The subtle innuendo wrapped up in a perfect, politely worded package. For once I’d love to see the woman say something blatantly dirty. “What?” I ask blankly.

Pilar is staring at me as if she wants to smack me across the face. Can’t say that I blame her, especially when all I can think of is the way Violet signs off her emails. I like the use of “yours.” It’s cute and perhaps even a submissive gesture. As if she really wants to be mine.

I’m probably reading too much into it, but the word choice is sexy as f*ck, even if she didn’t mean it to be that way.

“You’re not even paying attention. Too wrapped up in thoughts of what? Fucking around with Violet? I’m sure she’ll be delightful.” Pilar stands and approaches my desk, then leans over the edge of it. “You’re playing with fire, Big Daddy. And you’re going to go up in flames if you don’t stay focused and on the ball.”

“I’m one hundred percent focused,” I tell her assuredly. On Violet, most definitely. On whatever crap Pilar is feeding me?

Not at all.

“Just not on me.” She gives me another pout, but I don’t even blink an eye. It means nothing anyway. She’s just trying to get under my skin.

“You have Lawrence to distract you,” I tell her. “You don’t need me. Enjoy him these next few days. Fuck his brains out and then drill him for information. He’ll give in to you while in that post-orgasmic glow. I know how you operate.”

She smiles at me, the very picture of peaceful and serene. What a pack of lies. Inside that devious head of hers she’s trying to come up with a new way to f*ck everyone over. Including me. “I could have the best of both worlds if you weren’t so jealous.”

“Sorry, not going to let you touch me after you just had your hands all over Lawrence’s dick.” A man can only tolerate so much.

“Disgusting pig.” Pilar stands to her full height, snarling at me. “You’re all the same. The minute another man shows a hint of interest, you’re casting me off. Learn to live with it, darling. I’m f*cking Zachary Lawrence.”

“Really? Well, learn to live with this, Pilar.” I cup my hands together and lean forward, my elbows propped on the top of my desk. “I’m f*cking Violet Fowler.”