“Watch your mouth, Aspen.”
“What, because you don’t want me to swear? Fuck you, fuck this fucking bullshit, you bastard. I love you for you. If you can’t do the same…”
“Then what?” I close her in until her back hits the wall. “Tell me you don’t feel this.” I brush my lips against hers in a ghost of a kiss before moving to the shell of her ear. “Has anyone ever made you feel this, baby girl?”
She swallows hard. “I…”
“You’re scared, Aspen. To rely on me. To give me control. To let me love you the way a submissive should be loved. Tell me to walk away now, and I will.”
“Walk away.” It’s a dagger to my soul, but I do as she asks. I walk away. She can handle the restaurant tonight. I have to get out of here.
“I’m going to switch with Leonard tonight. I’ll be at Dulip if anyone needs me.”
“Ry, wait.”
“I’m giving you what you want, Aspen. I won’t force you to stay with me against your will.” Without another word, I take my shattered heart and walk away. The thing that makes our relationship so passionate is the same thing that pulls us apart. This explosive chemistry that holds us together threatens to destroy us.
Chapter 25
ASPEN
By the time Rooftop is closed for the night, I’m overcome with a weariness that reaches bone deep. I didn’t want this—to have Ryder leave. The moment the words left my lips, I wanted to take them back.
His dictating my decision to be an escort for one last night is unreasonable, but I didn’t handle it well. I’d already decided to stop. In truth, I felt the weight of it the last time I worked while seeing Ryder. That was before we entered into our contract, and I knew it felt wrong, but I’ve already made so many accommodations for this man. I became a submissive for him. I moved my life into his apartment. What more do I have to do to convince him that I love him? One night shouldn’t be the end of the world.
I’m so close to reaching my financial goal, and I’m proud that I’ve done it under my own steam. But at the same time, I don’t want to lose Ryder. Even if he weren’t instrumental in me becoming a sous chef, I’d still want him. Love him.
I already told Jude I’d be staying the night. I need some space. I don’t want to fight with Ryder, and I don’t want to lose him. I hail a cab, knowing Ryder would be pissed at me forwalking alone at this time of night. I want to please him, even when I’m pissed at him.
The ride is short, but by the time I step inside the lobby, I’m about ready to hightail it over to Dulip. Knowing Ryder, he’ll be holed up there rather than back at our apartment.
Our apartment.
The lobby is quiet at this time of night, save for the ping of the elevator doors. As I step inside, my heart is heavy as I press for my floor. They begin to shut by the time I notice John barreling toward the elevator. “Hold the door.”
I quickly press the button for the doors to close. The last thing I need is to share space with that pathetic excuse of a man. They shut right as he’s about to reach me, and he curses me.
“I hear your favorite flowers are Dulips… Danielle.” My heart stutters to a stop.
I immediately reach for my cell, pulling up Ryder’s number, but it rings out. The moment I get to the apartment, I call Flex. He has access to the security cameras for the restaurant.
“Hey, Aspen.”
“Flex, can you check the cameras for Dulip?”
“What’s going on?” His voice goes from playful to serious in a heartbeat.
“I’ll explain later.”
“Pulling them up now.” The silence is deafening. “Fuck.”
“What is it?”
“It looks like a fire.”
“Flex, I don’t know if Ryder is still in the building.”
“What? He was supposed to be at Venom tonight.”
