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

Wow, okay. That stung, but at least my misfortune is making her smile.

“Come on, Stirling, be a gentleman and take me home.” My sister sighs. “Oh, and Rhys…” my sister grabs hold of me and pulls me close, “… I like her. So, don’t fuck up. She’s going to be my friend whether you like it or not.” And with that little nugget of information, my sister says her goodbyes to Ariana. They make arrangements to catch up, and then they’re gone.

“You ready to head out?” I ask, walking back over to where Ariana is standing.

“I can’t come home with you.”

Her words stop me in my tracks.

I thought we were having a great time.

I thought things had progressed.

“Tonight’s been a wonderful distraction, but my life is a mess at the moment.” She sighs. “I’ve just quit my job. I’ve also given notice on my home, and I have to move,” she explains. “And I have to work out how the hell I am going to start my own architectural firm.” She throws her hands up in the air like it’s all too much.

“Sounds like you could use something to relax you.” I bend down and whisper in her ear, “And by something, I mean my dick.”

She laughs and slaps her hand against my chest. “As much as I want to say yes…” those chocolate eyes swirl with desire and lust, “… I have to put me first.”

“I’m happy putting you first.” I grin.

“Stop it. You’re making very persuasive points.” Ariana shakes her head. “Maybe we can catch up next week,” she says quietly, then bites her lip.

This is good.

This is much better than I never want to see you again.

“I’d like that.” Reaching out, I cup her face forgetting myself for the moment. “Also, I’d like to take you home.” She gives me a look. “As in a ride home.”

“I’d like that,” she agrees.

Yes!

15

Ariana

I wasn’t expecting to have fun tonight, but I did.

I also wasn’t expecting to sleep with Rhys again, but I did.

I also wasn’t expecting to want to do it again and again.

Then why did you say no to going home with him? I was trying to be a fricking adult. My life is a mess. I mean, twelve hours ago, I threw a grenade at my life and blew it up. I resigned from my job, and they kicked me to the curb. Emma convinced me to come to this black-tie event, and the guy I was trying to hide from I ended up screwing the moment I ran into him.

No self-control.

Not a single ounce.

But come on, Rhys Davenport in a tuxedo? No one is saying no to that.

Then I find myself at his table. Thanks, Emma.

I know she planned it. Not sure how, but she pulled some strings to get us at his table, but then the most surprising thing happened, we all got along. It was a brilliant evening. Plus, I love his sister, Audrey. She is the cutest, and her naïveté is so endearing. After one too many drinks, the auction started, and when they flashed up the most gorgeous hotel on earth, I mentioned to Rhys how much I have always wanted to swim in the azure ocean of the Turks and Caicos Islands—next thing I know, Rhys is buying the package. The package from his own resort that he would get for free. He paid an astonishing amount to be the winner only to hand the prize over to me.

I’ve never been a girl who’s impressed by grand gestures or showcasing your wealth like that. But Rhys wasn’t doing it for any of those things. He just wanted to do it for me. I’ve never had anyone do something like that for me before.

Buying me something just to see me smile.

His words.

Rhys Davenport is beginning to get under my skin, and I like it, but unfortunately, his life is more complicated than my own. For one, he’s technically still married. From all reports I’ve read online, this battle for his fortune has been going on for a long time and doesn’t look like it’s ever going to end. That’s a huge distraction I don’t need at the moment. Maybe the time isn’t right for us.

Thanks, universe, for sending a great guy into my life when the time isn’t right.

“You okay? You seem lost in your thoughts,” Rhys asks as we walk hand in hand to his limousine.

“Just thinking about how sucky the timing is meeting you.”

“What do you mean?” Rhys looks at me with a frown on his face as the driver opens the door for us to slide in. Rhys lets go of my hand, and I step into the limousine. Moments later, Rhys is sitting beside me, and the thud of the door closing us off to the rest of the world is heard. “Why do you think it’s at the wrong time?” he asks again.

“You’re in the middle of an acrimonious divorce.”

Rhys lets out a heavy sigh and lays his head back against the leather chair. His hand rubs his eyes as if he’s stressed. “I’m sorting it out. It’s become a little more complicated than I would have wished.” He turns and looks over at me. “I do not want my ex-wife,” he tells me honestly.

“I know,” I reassure him. I think her running off with his best friend would put a dampener on all hopes of a reconciliation. “You need to concentrate on saving your business.”

“You’ve googled me, then?” He arches a brow.

“Of course.”

“Not everything you read is true. I never cheated on her for one.” His face falls while talking about his ex. “My father repeatedly cheated on my mother their entire marriage, and I abhor it,” he confesses. “I never wanted that for myself. I never wanted to be divorced. I thought Madison was the one.” I reach out and entwine my fingers with his. “She fooled me. Showed me what I wanted to see, and because I