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

unlock the door to try and navigate myself on my sky-high heels behind a huge floral arrangement. I place it on the table in the foyer, and we move through the apartment to the kitchen. I’m going to need a drink for this story with my sisters.

“This is nice,” Maya adds as we walk down the hall.

“It’s Emma’s place. She’s letting me stay here rent-free to help start my business.”

“That’s so nice of her,” Camila adds.

“Yeah, my girls are my surrogate sisters when I don’t have you guys around me.” Wrapping my arm around Camila, I’m so happy they’re here.

“So…” Maya takes a seat on the sofa and kicks off her heels. The lights of the city twinkle beside her through the large windows. “You going to spill about the flowers?” Maya pushes.

Urgh. I forgot how annoying they can be.

“They’re from a guy I was seeing,” I tell them. They both “ooh” at that comment. “He’s going through a complicated divorce,” I explain.

“Is he really going through a divorce? Because I’ve dated men who say they’re divorcing, but it’s a lie. They were cheating on their wife.” Camila rolls her eyes, letting out a heavy sigh.

“Oh, no… definitely over. She ran off with his best friend,” I tell them.

“So, he has baggage,” Camila adds. “The hot ones usually do.” She chuckles.

“Yeah. He just moved back to New York from London,” I explain. “We met under weird circumstances, but we instantly clicked.” Kicking off my heels, I let out a sad sigh. “It was me that halted things. I wanted to concentrate on launching my business,” I tell them.

“That’s a good idea.” Maya smiles. “Especially if he has drama with his ex.”

“I know, but…” I trail off.

“You miss him?” Camila adds.

“Yeah. I asked for space, and he’s given it to me. I mean, the flowers have been the first communication I’ve had with him in a month.”

“So, he’s still thinking about you.” Camila smiles as she looks over at the flowers. “That’s cute.”

“Do you miss him?” Maya asks.

“I do. Now that I’ve had a moment to think since launching my business, he keeps filling my mind,” I reply honestly.

“You going to thank him for the flowers?” Camila asks.

“You should,” Maya adds.

Maybe I should. It would be rude not to, right?

“Yeah, maybe I will.”

“Well, I’m beat after today, so Maya and I are going to go crash.” Camila gives my sister a look.

“Yeah. I’m exhausted.” Maya fakes a yawn.

“Come on, you two, let me show you to your rooms.”

After getting my sisters settled into bed, and I have a shower to sober me up, I jump under the covers and grab my phone. I punch my pillow a couple of times to get comfortable, then I pull up Rhys’ messages and type out a thank you.

Ariana: Thank you so very much for the flowers. They are beautiful.

There, done.

As I put my phone on the bedside table, it beeps, and the screen lights up with a message. My stomach does somersaults at the thought he wrote straight back.

Rhys: They aren’t as beautiful as you.

Oh, my goodness.

Then my phone beeps again.

Rhys: I miss you.

Wait a minute, he’s not allowed to say that when he’s the one who’s gone missing.

Ariana: But not enough to stay in touch.

My anger bubbles over the alcohol, which is giving me a little bit more liquid courage than normal.

Moments later, my phone starts ringing.

What the…

I drop it as if the thing has burned my hand.

Rhys’ name flashes across the scene.

Shit. What do I do?

Staring at the glowing screen.

Do I pick it up?

What will I say?

It’s easier talking to him via text.

I grab my phone and hit the green button on the screen.

“Hello?”

18

Rhys

I’ve been keeping my distance from Ariana, stupidly. I knew from our previous conversations she was trying to get her architectural firm off the ground. And with my life being the shit show it is, I didn’t want to distract her from that process. She needed all her attention on herself, so she can launch her new life, no matter how much I missed and wanted to be there for her. Judging by the frosty text message I’ve just received about the flowers, my radio silence was not the best move.

I have fucked-up majorly.

“Hello?” She doesn’t sound happy taking my call.

“Hey, how are you?” Trying to sound upbeat as if I haven’t just ghosted her for a month.

“Good,” she replies tersely.

This isn’t good—I’ve really messed up.

“I’m sorry it’s been so long since we’ve talked.”

“But, are you?” she answers.

“Yes. Of course. Things went completely sideways with my divorce, and I never wanted to drag you into any of it. I also…” my body’s tense, “… wanted to keep you safe.”

“Safe from your divorce?” She lets out a self-deprecating laugh.

“I found out that someone is out to get me.” There’s silence down the line. See, I knew it, this shit show that is my divorce is going to drive her away.

“What do you mean?” she asks quietly.

“It means… I’m worried you might be collateral damage,” I reply, telling her honestly. Until I uncover who the fuck is messing with me, she is not safe.

“Are you okay?” Concern laces through her words.

“I think so, but…” I take a deep breath, “… everything was set up. Madison was paid to marry me in some kind of corporate espionage.”

“Oh, Rhys.” Ariana gasps.

“There’s so much more I’m trying to unravel. I’m sorry I’ve kept my distance. I haven’t stopped thinking about you, Ariana,” I confess.

“You haven’t?”

She sounds so unsure.

“Yes. My fucking hand isn’t enough anymore,” I tell her.

“Then why the hell have you not called me?”

“I’ve wanted to so many times, but the more digging I do about my marriage, the more shit I’m unraveling.”

Well, more like what my private investigator is finding.

“Do you not trust me?”

“Of course, I do.” In my paranoia, I may have also had my investigator look into Ariana, and he found nothing linking her to what’s going on. So, I do trust her, especially now. “It’s just really