Without Warning: A Billionaire Romance (Playboys of New York Book 5), JA Low [book suggestions .TXT] 📗

“You pretended to be me?”

Ricky’s eyes widen when he realizes he’s fucked-up by blurting out that last piece of information I didn’t know.

“I used your photo and first name,” Ricky tells me.

“Are you fucking serious?” Raking my hands through my hair, I just can’t with this idiot. “I’m in the middle of a fucking acrimonious divorce. Do you have any idea how something like this could fuck me over?” He shakes his head. “Of course not, because you’re a selfish prick. Your girlfriend probably left you because you didn’t know how to fucking satisfy her… because it’s all about you.” My hurtful words tumble out of my mouth before I even have a chance to work out what the hell I am saying.

“And yet you didn’t kick Ariana out of your apartment straight away.” Ricky glares back at me. The jelly-like spine that was there before is now gone, and his words still me. “She was up there for a really long time.” His eyes narrow in on me. “Never thought you would be the kind of guy to fuck strange women in your apartment, sir.”

This little fucking shit.

“Least I didn’t have to pretend to be someone else when I did.” Turning on my heel, I stomp back to the elevator and head back to my apartment.

Welcome-fucking-home, Rhys.

8

Ariana

My phone doesn’t stop ringing all morning. I roll over and bury my head underneath my pillow. Last night was singlehandedly the most embarrassing moment of my life. Does Rhys Bailey seriously think because he’s rich and hot that women will happily take his money once he’s fucked them? Is that his way of never seeing a woman again? Urgh. Just thinking of what happened last night makes me feel physically ill all over again.

Moments later, there’s a thumping on my door.

“Ari,” Stella’s voice echoes through the door. Then the sound of keys jangling and the squeak of my front door opening. “Ari, are you in here?” Stella calls out. I can hear the uncertainty in her voice. “EJ, I’m worried.”

“I’m in bed,” I call out.

“Oh, thank God.” Stella rushes around the corner and sees me a mess in my bed. I can see on her face she’s been worried about me. Then EJ pops his head around, checks to see if I’m okay, then leaves. “You haven’t been picking up your phone,” Stella scolds me. “We thought you were kidnapped or murdered.”

My friends are overly dramatic sometimes.

“I’m fine. I didn’t want to talk about what a mess it was,” I confess.

“Oh, babe. What happened?” Stella takes a seat beside me on my bed.

My stomach sinks thinking about what happened.

I explain to her everything that went down last night. She is a little shocked over the entire situation.

“And he seriously doesn’t remember talking to you?” Stella asks.

“No. That’s what I don’t get.” I fold my arms angrily over my chest.

“Knock, knock.” EJ is at my bedroom door with a tray full of goodies. “I’ve made chocolate pancakes. They’re Stell’s fave. Sounds like you might need them.”

Damn you, EJ, that’s so sweet.

He walks over and places the fluffy stack of pancakes on the side of the bed. There’s cream, chocolate syrup, strawberries, everything. “I might leave you two to it.” EJ bends over and kisses Stella’s forehead, then he’s gone. I watch Stella stare after him with hearts in her eyes, and I have a pang of jealousy. Something I’ve never experienced before.

“EJ’s a good guy underneath all that ego.” I nudge her shoulder, bringing her back to reality.

“He really is.” She grins. “Plus, the guy can cook.” We both laugh. “So, what do you think you’re going to do?” Stella asks, shoving a fluffy pancake into her mouth.

“Forget about it. Delete all my dating apps. Maybe get a cat.”

Stella giggles. “Don’t think we are in cat-lady territory just yet.”

“Honestly, last night has put me off dating.” Shoving delicious pancakes into my mouth seems to be helping.

“You can’t give up on love, Ari,” Stella tells me with her rose-colored glasses firmly on her face.

“I don’t need a man, Stell, to be happy,” I reply.

“I know,” she agrees. “Then what are you doing about launching your own business? About what Emma offered you Friday night?” She pushes the subject.

Emma did give me a lot to think about with her generous offer, and not having to pay rent would help significantly to my savings budget. But in all honesty, I’m scared. What happens if I suck?

Stella gives me a look as if she can read my mind and then doubles the look until I cave.

“Okay. I’m going to take up her offer.”

“Yes,” Stella squeals and hugs me tightly. “I knew you would. You’re going to be the best fucking architect in the city,” she reassures me.

I wish I felt as confident as she does.

“You know, EJ and I want to work with you on our place in Montana,” she tells me. “Whenever you’re ready, we are, too.”

My heart feels full with Stella and EJ’s faith in me. If they think I can do it, then maybe I need to have a little more faith in myself too.

“I’d love to design your home.” Finally, I give in. Fuck everyone! I need to start living the life I want to live and stop hiding behind excuses.

“You’re serious?” Stella double-checks.

“Yeah… one hundred percent,” I reply.

Stella screams again, nearly piercing my eardrums, then she hugs me tightly.

Monday morning, and the weekly dread of going to work begins again. I’ve decided that today I’m going to be handing in my two weeks’ notice. I need to be in charge of my own destiny, and after the humiliation of Saturday night, I need something else to focus my mind on, and my own business is the best way to do that.

I grab a coffee from the café downstairs and make my way through the glass doors into the marbled foyer of Davenport Architects. I give Linda at reception a wave as I enter the office. She gives me