She shouldn’t be here.
I’ve gone to great lengths to ensure our paths never cross, but I suspect fate is fucking with me again.
Now I know why I was on edge throughout the press conference.
I felt her in the room.
I know I sound like a pussy again, but I swear I sensed she was there. I just couldn’t pinpoint why every molecule of my body was on high alert, why static electricity was pulsing in the air, or why my eyes roamed the room, searching and seeking.
I know what’ll happen when I step into that room. And I know I can’t deflect it for much longer. I also know I have zero intention of fleeing this place. I’m not strong enough to walk away from her again.
As my mind’s been churning, my feet have been moving of their own accord. I step into the living room as Gar’s hand hovers over Zeta’s chest. “C’mon, babe. Just let me cop a feel.”
Red heat sweeps over me, and I’m two seconds away from charging the asshole when Rod rides to the rescue. “It’s nice of you to finally join us, Ryder.”
Zeta’s facing Gar, with her back to me,and I watch her spine stiffen as the air crackles with electricity. Trailing my eyes over her curvy figure, I note she’s still got beautiful long, dark hair, one hell of an ass, and those long, long legs, encased in a pair of fuck-me boots I wouldn't mind wrapping around my neck.
While I’ve been drooling, and Zeta’s evidently distracted, Gar’s made a move, and his hand now cups her left tit. Anger burns through my veins, and my hands curl into fists. “Get your fucking hands off her, Gar.”
Gar removes his hand, smirking. Zeta drops her chin for a split second, and her chest heaves. Tension hovers in the space between us, and the urge to comfort her hits me hard and fast. I’m striding across the room toward her without hesitation.
Jerking her head up, she slowly turns around, and my world shifts sideways.
I slam to a halt, almost brought to my knees. I swallow hard as my heart swells to bursting point. Every single thing I’ve ever felt for her hits me like a bolt of lightning as we stare at one another. My heart thuds painfully, and it feels as if all the air is being squeezed from my lungs. A strange, strangled sound escapes my lips, and a single, solitary tear rolls down her cheek.
The guys trade puzzled expressions, watching the exchange between Zeta and me with avid curiosity.
I move toward her involuntarily as if some invisible string is drawing me in. “Zeta,” I rasp, my voice choked with emotion. I can only imagine what’s showing on my face.
My voice seems to snap her out of whatever shared emotional moment we’re in. Thrusting her arms up in front of her, she holds her palms mere millimeters from my chest. “Stop right there, Rock Star.”
There’s not much space between us, and my eyes rake over her familiar features, while I drown in a host of competing emotions.
When I left her, she was still just a girl, but she’s all woman now. I’ve seen photos of her during our separation, but a photo doesn’t come close to the real thing. She’s even more beautiful than I remember, having grown into her skin with flawless ease. She’s the most stunningly gorgeous woman I’ve ever known, and the time apart has done nothing to dull my feelings for her.
She is still my everything.
Her smoldering eyes blaze with an indecipherable emotion, and I can’t hold back. “I can’t believe you’re here,” I croak, struggling to contain my feelings. “You look so incredibly beautiful.”
A muscle ticks in her jaw and she purposely glances down my body. “Your fly’s undone.”
Her cold tone matches her icy expression, and I gulp over the lump suddenly clogging my throat. Gar snorts and Micah snickers while Rod and Scott look at me with the usual disappointment. Shame slays me as I zip up my fly, realizing she knows exactly why I’m late. I could tell her it’s all her fault for putting me so on edge downstairs I needed the release.
When the reporter fromBlazing Trailpropositioned me in the hallway outside the conference, I didn’t consider turning her down, letting her take me into the wheelchair accessible bathroom where she dropped to her knees and blew me so hard I shot my load right down her throat.
Something I’m now seriously regretting because the look of disgust on Zeta’s face guts me to my core.
“It’s not as bad as you’re thinking,” I blurt, wanting to remove that look from her face.
“Who you put your dick in is of no concern to me,” she coolly states. “I’m here for one reason only, and that’s for the interview. I’m on a tight schedule, so I’d prefer if we could get started. We’re already behind.”
My heart hurts. Like it’s seriously fucking aching. I wonder if this is what it feels like right before you take a massive coronary.
“Sit down, Ryder.” Rod sends me a loaded look, gesturing at the couch across from Zeta, and I move toward it in slow mo, dropping down beside Micah and Scott like I’m in a trance.
Of course, Gar has positioned himself right beside her with Rod seated in the chair in front of the fireplace. I glare at my bud, warning him with my eyes. The gloating smirk he sends me back does nothing to reassure me. I’m going to fucking kill him if he as much as looks funny at her.
Rod kicks off the meeting, explaining our idea for the new biography and confirming we had intended to offer the opportunity to Kayla, but as she’s no longer available, we’d like to explore the possibility of Zeta backfilling the place.
