Page 44 of Selfless

I walk out of the closet and through my bedroom to find Ryder standing in the living room in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. It’s lit up from the city lights. I look over at him as he stands there with his hands in his front pockets of his black pants. He has removed his black jacket and laid it on the back of the couch.

I slide my sweaty hands down my dress and try to muster up the courage to say something. I feel so out of my element. I have ever since I walked into this extraordinary apartment weeks ago. I didn’t think I fit in here—that I was in over my head—and this just confirms it. Standing here in a dress that isn’t mine trying not to love a man who is way out of my league. I feel like Cinderella. But the only difference is I’m not gonna get the guy. Our love story is more like Romeo and Juliet—when he walks away, I’ll wish I was dead!

I roll my eyes at how dramatic I sound. Come on, Ashlyn. You can do this. It’s just one night out with the guy you love. How hard can it be? I clear my throat before I have another second to think about it and say, “I’m ready.”

He turns slowly to face me, and I hold my breath as his eyes look me up and down slowly as if he’s trying to memorize me. His eyes finally meet mine, and I give him a soft smile. He doesn’t return it. I go to bite my lip—nervous habit—but refrain so I don’t mess up my lipstick. Is he mad that I mentioned Bradley earlier? Has he changed his mind about tonight? Maybe he regrets ever giving me the tickets. Or maybe he regrets ever meeting me.

He walks toward me, his hands still in his pockets, and my heart races at the intense look he’s giving me. “Everything okay?” My voice shakes showing my nervousness. My stomach is flipping, and my heart is racing.

He pulls his right hand out of his pocket and lifts it to run his knuckle over my cheek, and I hold my breath. “It is now.”

CHAPTER TEN

RYDER

I can’t help but stare at her. Well, I guess one would call it gawking. She’s wearing a long black dress that flares as it hits her knees, giving what my sister calls a mermaid look. It’s a black one-shoulder dress that shows off her thin waist. I thought she was beautiful the day I met her on the beach, but tonight, she takes my breath away. And I’d gladly die just looking at her. The black fabric against her tan skin makes her blond hair glow, making her look like an angel.

I had to trick her. Lie to her. I knew there was no way she would go with me to this tonight no matter how much she would love to. I had a feeling that Becca would rat me out, but thankfully, the tickets were enough to get her to agree.

“Sorry it took me so long to get ready.” She blushes as she looks down at her dress. I knew she would look amazing in this dress when I saw it. Another thing Becca helped me out with.

“No need to apologize,” I say truthfully. After I had freaked out over what I now know is her cat, I spent the time in her kitchen having a couple of glasses of scotch while she locked herself in her bedroom getting ready. It was well worth the wait.

“I’m ready when you are.”

I look her up and down one more time, thinking of how much I’d love to pick her up in my arms and carry her back to her room where I’d take my time undressing her. Take my time loving her. Every inch of her. But I shake my head to clear that thought. I know that sex is the last thing I’ll be getting from her tonight.

We make our way down the elevator and out to the car where Milton waits for us. “A limo tonight?” she asks in surprise.

I nod. “Only the best for you,” I say, opening the back door for her.

She crawls in, and I enter after. She thanks Milton before he closes the door.

Once we are situated, she looks over at me. “I didn’t need a limo, Ryder. We could have taken a cab.”

I snort. She doesn’t understand how these things work, and I get that, but you don’t show up to a Broadway play on opening night in a cab. Not when you’re Ryder O’Kane, anyway, and with a gorgeous woman who you love on your arm. You pull out all the stops. And a limo was one of them. “Would you like a glass of champagne?” I ask, already reaching for it.

She nods, not looking over at me. “Yes, please.” I have a feeling it’s more to calm her nerves than to taste.

I grab the bottle out of the bucket of ice and grab two flutes. I see Milton has already uncorked the bottle. I pour her a glass and then myself. We hold them up and toast. “To me being a douche,” I say.

She laughs, but I can tell it’s a nervous one. “You don’t have to—”

“Yes, I do,” I say, interrupting her and getting serious. “I overreacted when I had no right to,” I say, and she gives me a soft smile.

She clicks her glass to mine and then takes a drink. After she swallows a good part of it, she looks over at me. “Hungry?” I ask, and she nods. “I was thinking sushi,” I tell her.

“Can I make a request?”

I smile, letting her know I would take her anywhere. “Of course.”

“Can we go to sushi some other night?” And that makes my smile widen even more. As if I’ll get to see her again tomorrow.

“Whatever you like,” I assure her.

“The other day, I ate lunch at this amazing Italian restaurant. I’d like to go there for dinner. I’ve been craving it all day.”

I nod my head and get Milton’s attention as she tells him where it’s at. We pull up to the fancy restaurant and get out of the limo. “Well, crap,” she says sadly. “I didn’t think about it being packed.” There’s a line down the sidewalk and people are seated at a few round tables outside waiting to be seated indoors.

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