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I shove the nagging voice inin our direction," Rose lance up and see Ryder McKay coly handsome in a dark suit and tie, his hair in casual disarray, his eyes filled with a predatory gleam that’s directed toward me

Andmy view of Zachary with Pilar co especially beautiful this evening"

"Charhs when he offers her a quick wink and jealousy rises within ly Ridiculous I’ like a bad boyfriend at this particular moment It shouldn’t matter tohis best to create a monopoly within the company Since he feels like he’s already lost Lily co his best to steer both Rose and ht choices

And Ryder McKay, with his obvious ambition and how quickly he’s moved up the ranks at Fleur, is the perfect choice for Rose Just like Zachary was the perfect choice forto lass up tothe rest quickly Was thatfor the briefestout a shuddery breath His smile falters and he takes a step closer, his head tilted toward ht?"

Startled, I blink up at him a few more times before I answer, "Yes I’ drinker" It’s a statement, not a question

"And you know this because?"

His smile returns, softer this tiht not think I’ve paid much attention, but I know a lot about you, Violet"

Alar my skin chilled, and I look to li back as she moves into the crowd in the center of the roo at so me all alone

With Ryder

"I know you’re cautious That you keep yourself under tight control whether at work or at social events such as this one" He glances around before returning his attention to me He leans ininti a private discussion no one else is allowed to hear "I know you’re not a big drinker and you don’t like it when Lawrence drinks too much Which isn’t often, and you’re thankful for that"

I partto defend myself, to defend Zachary, but Ryder cuts me off

"I know you tend to dress conservatively and the dress you have on tonight does cover you well But it also just happens to be the sexiest daaze drops tohow sheer the lace bodice is, how the tops of my breasts are on display My skin war tipped me You seehtly "I’ you?"

"Why do you care?" I ask incredulously I have no idea why he would We’ve never really spoken beyond forether, had one officialso far, and he’s suddenly concerned? Oh, and we run into each other at a restaurant and now he’s my old friend? It makes no sense

"I’m upset, too, you know," he says, his voice so low it’s my turn to lean into hiether"

Realization dawns and I take a step around hi away from me I stare at Zachary and Pilar across the rooot her hand on his arm and he’s bent forward a bit, so that she can whisper directly in his ear Her splayed hand slides upward to rest on his shoulder, giving hier burns inside ofall over hi " I don’t take h It’s as if I can’t look away

"It doesn’t appear to be nothing," Ryder drawls

I turn on hiht, my eso blatantly, arrogantly stupid "Stop trying to cause trouble"

Ryder steps away from me as if I offended him And maybe I did, but for once introuble, Violet They are"

I returnether Another couple approaches thenize the woman, a well-respected beauty editor with one of the top fashion azines Zachary introduces Pilar to the editor, and the calculating gleam in Pilar’s eyes is noticeable as she shakes the wo hi the same …