Page 50 of The Billionaire's Cinderella

“You just said you would pay my rent for me,” I say, a tinge of frustration creeping into mine. “I take care of myself. I’ve been taking care of myself in the big city for years now. I can do it. I’m not some helpless flower.”

“I never said you were. But I can provide some…amenities. What’s wrong with that? I just gave you some robes and a candle and you were delighted about that. Plenty of women are delighted to have someone spend a little money on them.”

I don’t know if he’s implying that he could have any woman he wants, but that’s how I take it.

“I’m not plenty of women,” I say, simmering anger making my face hot. “Your money is irrelevant to me. Hope you can make your peace with that.”

A gleam of something that looks like respect, if not outright admiration, lights up his eyes.

“I’ve never been so peaceful in my life, sunshine. Take my word for it.” He flashes a smile, but it’s lopsided. I get the feeling he’s enjoying a private joke at his own expense. “I’m just trying to understand why we’re having this whole heavy discussion because I offered to buy you a dress to wear to dinner.”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

“Those were gifts that you got me because you thought I would like them. Not because you thought I couldn’t afford them and needed your help. I don’t intend to ever depend on some rich guy for anything. Been there, done that.”

He cocks his head, frowning as though the words hurt his ears. Maybe more than his ears.

“Some rich guy?”

I’ve said the wrong thing. I know I have.

But I’ve also said what I meant.

“I just mean that I don’t want to depend on you, Ryker. That’s all.”

“Interesting,” he says, his jaw tightening. “I depend on you for sex. I’m also starting to depend on you for fun, companionship, friendship and advice. Guess I’d better start drawing some lines, too.”

“Ryker…”

Luckily, my phone pings in my pocket, breaking up some of the tension and giving me more time to formulate whatever I thought I was about to say.

“Sorry,” I say, fishing it out. “I’ll just turn it off— Oh, it’s my brother.”

Startled, I stare down at the display and try to decide what to do. Maybe if I stare at it long enough, the caller will turn into someone I want to hear from.

“Take it,” Ryker says.

“Thanks,” I say, even though I’m not feeling that grateful for the opportunity to speak with Liam. Not with this growing knot inside my belly as I hit the button. “Hello?”

There’s a long pause. A throat clearing.

“Hey, Ella,” he says gruffly. “It’s Liam.”

“I know. Everything okay?”

A longer pause this time. A more painful pause.

“My, ah, mother. She, ah, died. A little while ago.”

“Oh, no.” I sink back onto the sofa and press a hand to my aching heart. “I’m so sorry.”

Shaky laugh from Liam. “I’m not sure why I called you. I can’t expect you to be sad that she’s gone.” I hear a harsh sigh. For one horrible moment, I’m afraid he’ll choke up. Thankfully, he doesn’t. “But you’re the only family I have left. Family seems important now. Anyway…I thought you should know.”

I shoot a helpless look at Ryker. He’s been still the whole time. Silent. Watchful. Grim. But now he infuses me with courage by squeezing my shoulder and pressing a kiss to my cheek before taking off his jacket and heading into the kitchen to leave me alone with my brother and my past.

“I know what it’s like to lose a mother. I’d never wish that on you,” I tell Liam.

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