“You called,” Ashley answered, pushing the door to the study open, her fist tightening hard against the thick frame of the door, steadying herself with it. Ryder sat still, eyes hooded, a pen flickering in his palm. The look in his eyes was fierce, not entirely new, but Ashley knew there was more to this stern look. Just last night, she had disobeyed him. Mason had offered a half-filled bottle to her, and she lifted the bottle at intervals, gulping down the contents till she no longer felt her head. Ryder had found her where Mason was almost pressing against her, and quite unlike him, he carried her up to her bedroom. Now that she stood before him in his studies, trying to act like she knew nothing about what this impromptu meeting between just the two of them was about, she knew it all. The silence lingered, just the cracking sound of a pen hitting his turgid palm. Ashley moved her eyes around, the last time she sneaked in here, she wasn't lucky enough to take everything in, he h
Last Updated : 2026-06-30 Read more