“Well, you haven’t seen fit to bestow that on me, have you? I’m just some girl you vanilla fuck before you spend the night with a real woman.”
“That’s what you think? That I don’tvalueyou enough?”
I don’t know why I said it. This is not the place to have this discussion.
“Put me down, Ryder. I’m not doing this with you right now. I’m working as anescort. I don’t fuck my clients. Not that you deserve to know what I’m doing.”
“I mean it, Aspen. You go over there and tell him you have to leave, or I will. And I won’t be as kind with the things I say.”
“You’re an asshole, Ryder. I don’t know why you feel the need to control women, but it’s fucked up, and I want no part of it.”
“And after I drop you home, you can bitch and moan all you want.”
“Fuck you.”
He doesn’t put me down, instead striding toward Joseph, who’s aghast at the sight of me cradled in Ryder’s arms.
“Hello, Joseph.”
“Ryder,” he says, his face grim. “That’s my date.”
“She’s one of my chefs. I managed to catch her before she fainted. I’m going to take her home.”
Joseph looks to me. “Are you okay, Danielle? I can take you home.”
“I don’t want you to miss the awards. I’m just sorry I won’t be here to clap for your acceptance speech.” His expression softens. He’s an understanding man, but I can kiss goodbye to the five thousand dollars I was set to earn tonight.
“Feel better. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Thank you for being so gracious. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay, Danielle.”
“Yes,Danielle, let’s get you home.”
Ryder marches out the door triumphantly, and all I want to do is slap his gorgeous face.
Chapter 16
RYDER
A fucking escort! I sure know how to pick them. I toss my keys at the valet and wait with Aspen still cradled in my arms.
“You can put me down now.” I set her on her feet, satisfied that I know my cum is spilling down her thighs.
“When were you going to tell me that you date other men for money?”
“I’m a grown woman. I don’t need your permission.” Fucking hell. She’s lucky I haven’t collared her because she would be spending the rest of the night being punished for her lie of omission. It’s not like having a regular job on the side.
“Don’t I pay you enough? You could have come to me if you needed money.”
“I don’t need your money, although you just lost me five grand.”
“Why are you doing this?” I don’t understand why every woman I get close to feels the need to lie to my face.
“Because I want to own a restaurant, and I don’t have Daddy’s money to help me out. My parents are both high school teachers. I make my own way in the world, and I’m fine with it.”
The valet arrives with my car, and I hold the door open for Aspen before getting behind the wheel. “How long have you been doing this?”
