Loud sounds reverberate through the house, and Ryder looks toward the kitchen.
“I’m okay! I’m okay!” Adele calls out. “I’m still getting ready!”
“I really need a nap,” I say. “I’ll take you up on the tour another day.”
“Please do.” He runs his fingers through my hair, and a part of me wants him to disregard my words and finally fuck me right here and now, but he holds back.
“Thank you for completing the job,” he says. “I need you for something else soon, but I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I might not be able to help on short notice again,” I say. “I made plans with someone else.”
“Who?”
“A friend from the past.” I pause. “My best friend, actually.”
“I doubt she’ll prevent you from answering my phone calls.”
If only you knew…
He leads me down two long hallways and opens a door, exposing a courtyard full of luxury vehicles.
My used Audi is parked on the far end, an instant standout amidst his custom collection.
I resist the urge to ask how he got it here.
“Here you are.” He places the keys in my hand. “Drive safe, Autumn.”
“It’s only ‘Autumn’ when we’re dating, and ‘Miss Jane’ when I’m working for you,” I say. “I forgot to mention that I need to set some boundaries sooner with you.”
His lips curve into a smile as I slip behind the wheel. “I see.”
“I’ll do the same for you, Mr. Rochester.”
“You’ll call me ‘Ryder’ for everything.” He brushes a few strands away from my forehead. “Those are my boundaries. And you’ll stop holding back the question you actually want to ask, since I can see right through you.”
“Fine. Why did you ask me to pick up your daughter when you barely know or trust me?”
“I do trust you.”
“Why?”
“I’m an excellent judge of character, for one,” he says. “But honestly, you have no one to tell.”
“That sounds dark and disturbing.”
“The truth usually is. Speaking of which…” He leans over me and opens the glove box, pulling out a folder. “I’m sure you’ll need this in a few hours.”
“What is it?”
“It’s for your friend, Kylie.”
“Who?”
“Your best friend that you mentioned.”
“I didn’t tell you her name…”
“You didn’t have to.” He smirks, shutting my door. “She called the health department pretending to be my mother. Apparently, she wanted a digital copy of my birth certificate and a couple of other things that are a complete violation forstrangers to get. I’m sure she’ll tell you about that when you see her later, though.”
