Page 105 of Undeniable Temptation

Mason nodded. “Do right by her.”

“I will.”

* * *

Leah satat the foot of the bed, listening to the mutterings of an ominous conversation in the living room. There was no excitement. No whispers of celebration.

She heard his footsteps approach, could see his frame through her periphery as he entered the room and closed the door behind him.

“Leah…” His voice was so soft. So sweet.

She raised her head and met his gaze.

“You know I love you, right?”

Her stomach dropped. “That’s not how you start this conversation, Ryan.”

“And the guys…” He continued, “They love you, too.”

Her pulse spiked. Breathing became hard. She wanted to shake this beautiful man. To shake and shake and shake until he divulged the disaster he’d created. “Please, don’t drag this out.”

His expression faded. There was no warmth, no heat, no sense of hope to cling to.

“I had a meeting with your boss.”

She closed her eyes and hung her head. “I know.”

“I’m sorry, but I had to.” He came to stand before her and crouched at her feet. “I thought I could convince him to change your contract.”

“But you couldn’t. Could you?”

He shook his head. “No.”

A ragged breath escaped her lips. “How much does he know?”

“Everything. We tried—”

“And when you failed, he fired me.”

Ryan winced. It was all the confirmation she needed. “I’m sorry, but please hear me—”

“You had no right.” She pushed to her feet and slid from reach.

“Let me explain.” He grabbed her waist, swinging her around, making her compliant with his hard stare. “You need to know how I fixed this.” He backed her into the wall, his weight crushing, his possession maddening. “I found a way for us to be together.”

She denied him with a jut of her chin. “Bruce never would’ve agreed.”

“You’re right. He didn’t. But he said I could buy out the clause for two million dollars.”

“Oh my god.” Her mouth gaped as she struggled in his hold. “You didn’t…”

“No. I didn’t. But I would’ve. Two million. Three million. Ten.” He got in her face, his nose almost brushing hers. “I don’t give a fuck. I would’ve done it if Mason hadn’t insisted on taking another option first.”

His harsh tone. His cursing. His hold. It all diminished her anger. Attraction was making her pliable. Infatuation was making her weak. She couldn’t allow his appeal to take over her head. Not when it had already consumed her heart and parts further south.

“It’s love,notstupidity.” He ground his hips into her, as if he knew the route to acquiescence was through her vagina.

“From my limited experience,” she snarled, “they seem to be the same thing.”

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