Ryder suddenly stops walking and presses me against a wall. “I’m listening.”
“It’s about this job…” I pause as he grips my waist, and my body betrays my mind with a rush of heat. “I would like… I’m trying to say that—I’m not sure if I can?—”
“I need you to speak English.”
“I would like to take some significant time off,” I say. “I’ve been on quite a ride over the last twenty-four hours.”
“Hmmm.” He presses his forehead against mine. “Why do I have the feeling that’s not what you really wanted to discuss?”
“Because it isn’t.”
“Then tell me the truth.”
I suck in a breath as he stares deep into my eyes, rendering me utterly speechless.
“Autumn?” He trails a finger against my lips. “Tell me…”
“Where is Adele’s mother?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“She’s not a part of her life?”
“Not since she was six days old,” he says. “And before you ask, no. There were never any feelings there, and there never will be. Anything else?”
“I would like to be out of the dark on at least one more thing.”
“Name it.”
“Given your means of employment?—”
“I’m theemployer…”
“Right.” I pause. “Well, I’d like you to elaborate on some things that you actually do, so I can have a bit of insight.”
“Name something else.” The sudden dark shift in his eyes makes it more than clear that an explanation will never come.
“How do you and Nate know each other?”
He raises an eyebrow. “I thought we were done discussing your ex-husband.”
“We are, but on a scale of one to ten, how bad would the truth really hurt me?”
“A million.”
My stomach falls to the floor.
“Some questions are better left unanswered,” he says. “I need you to let that go…”
I nod, and he brushes his mouth against mine.
“Would you like a tour of my bedroom?” he whispers against my lips.
“You mean your house?”
“No. I said exactly what I mean…”
Clang! Clash! Pssshhh!
