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Ryder never crosses that personal and professional line Not a single ti to keep up I want to say, Because you rejectth to say, “No”

One brow arches “No?”

“That’s right, no” I hold round

Just as Ryder has created boundaries he won’t cross, so have I My eive hi more of mys

elf either It’s a game I can’t lose If I do, I lose him, or I lose myself

Realizing that I won’t back down, he finally breaks our stare-down and shakes his head in blatant frustration “What is your objection to answering me?”

Perhaps I’h in the last twenty-four hours Maybe I’aain But I can’t hold back the frustration in my voice “My objection is that my actions are really none of your business”

His eyes slowly narrow “You Are None Of My Business?”

I realize instantly I’ve hit a nerve, and a lesser woht back away from all that broody uy in front of me I oddly understand Ryder in ways that don’t even ive hi for more of him in return Because if I did, he not only wouldn’t respect me, but he could also very easily hurt me “Yes, what I do in my personal life is none of your business,” I tell hi my purse down on the end table “Just like your personal life is none of my business You made it that way, not me”

I hear the creak of the wood floor beneath his feet as he approaches Then I’ me toward hi touch His eyes are stern, serious, as is his voice “Is this the ga now?”

“I’ht in the heat burning between us It’s addictive, and I sensehold “I’ve never played a gahtforward You know exactly how I feel If anyone has been playing a game, it’s you”

I see the effect of my words ripple across Ryder’s expression He usually has such a poker face, showingbeyond eic, because it’s what Ryder looks like without barriers “No secrets Not anymore Is that a promise we can make to each other?”

“It’s a promise that I can make,” I barely whisper “It’s a promise that I’ve offered you many times”

The e his eyes trips my heart, but when he says, “I own I for a few seconds

I attempt to come to terms hat he’s told me and fail miserably “Okay, I’ personal about yourself or that you own a sex club”