Echo (Bleeding Hearts #1)(52)

“You surprise me sometimes,” he said. “A lot actually.”

I smiled, but his rare moment of honesty was dimmed by the darkness taking over his features again.

“So what happened with the sewing?” he asked. “Do you still do it?”

I shrugged and cast my eyes to the floor. “I sewed a few prom dresses every year for some of the locals, until Brayden’s… well, until, you know. Naively I thought it was something I could really do. It was how I stayed sane I guess, dreaming of creating my own designs and doing what I loved.”

“You still could,” Ryland said softly. “You’re only twenty-one, Brighton. You still have your whole life ahead of you.”

I shook my head and gave him a weak smile. “Those kinds of dreams are for people who don’t have to face reality,” I replied.

For the first time since I’d known him, Ryland actually looked guilty. Was it because he thought he was helping to destroy my dreams? If that was the case, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. The truth was I was too much of a coward to go after a dream that big. Every time I’d even considered it, I would hear Norma-Jean’s voice inside of my head. She’d tell me that kind of stuff was for rich kids who didn’t have to work. And though I never liked to give her credit, I knew she was right.

“Here.”

Ryland walked around in front of me and handed me another one of his signature red flowers. I twirled the stem in my fingers and brought it to my nose, inhaling the subtle fragrance.

“Why always these flowers?” I asked.

He smiled as though he’d been expecting this question and trailed his fingertips over the delicate petals.

“Do you know what the lotus symbolizes?”

“Not really,” I answered. “But I know they grow in mud, right?”

“Yes.” He moved his fingertips to my face, his eyes lingering on mine while he explained. “They grow from the most unexpected of places, and for that reason many cultures regard them as a symbol of purity and beauty. It was the same thing I thought the first time I saw you.”

“You did?” I blinked in surprise.

“It was unexpected,” he admitted. “To see a girl like you in that place. From that family. So pure and kind and innocent. I didn’t think it could be real, but you’ve proven me wrong, Brighton. You prove me wrong every day.”





Chapter Twenty-Two



Ryland took me to a private club that was all the rage in the financial district. The entire place was decked out in rich black leather and deep shades of crimson. It screamed of exclusivity. One foot in the door and I could practically smell the money rolling off of these suits.

The club was cordoned off into separate areas that included a cigar bar and a curtained area called the dark room. I didn’t even want to guess what was behind that one and was grateful when Ryland led me straight past it.

Every pair of eyes in the room fell on us as we walked by, and my skin burned under the weight of their shrewd appraisals. Curt nods were given by other men I assumed were business associates. But it was the women that I noticed. While Ryland’s place in society was always present in the back of my mind, it was easy to forget when he was with me. But here now, in this room where women looked at him as though he were a piece of meat, I couldn’t forget. They blushed from head to toe if Ryland even deigned to smile at them as we walked by.

My body grew tight, and I wanted to ask him why he’d ever brought me to such a place. It was clear not only to me but to everyone else in here I didn’t belong.

“All of their eyes are on you,” he remarked.

I met the inappropriate gaze of several women as they sized him up and tightened my grip on his hand. Suddenly I found myself feeling very possessive of him.

Ryland’s eyes danced with amusement as he leaned down to whisper in my ear.

“I like it when you’re greedy.”

I shot him a glare and he led me to a podium in the back, where a woman with a classy black pant suit greeted us. At least she had the decency not to stare.

“Mr. Bennett, Miss Valentine, how lovely of you to join us this evening. I have a private room for you right this way.”

I arched a brow at Ryland as we followed behind her, hand in hand. She led us to a private lounge area that was completely enclosed in red velvet curtains.

She held them open as Ryland thanked her, pulling me inside along with him.

“I’ve set up the bar as per your request,” she finished off pleasantly. “Is there anything else I can get you, sir?”

“No, thank you,” He replied. “Just see that we’re not disturbed for the rest of the evening.”

She smiled and bowed out. “As you wish.”

Once the curtain closed, soft mood lighting and a sense of calm enveloped me. I settled onto the chaise against the wall, allowing my eyes to wander over the room while Ryland removed his jacket and tie.

Laid out on the table before me was an impressive spread of appetizers and desserts, complete with a chilled bottle of champagne. And even though we’d already eaten dinner, I couldn’t stop eyeing the chocolate confections that were temptingly within reach.

“You brought me here to have a private room with me?” I asked. “Doesn’t make much sense.”