Sweet Thing (Naughty Things 2)

I toss the shirt in my suitcase, then throw in a few pairs of jeans, one school uniform and some shoes, and close it up.

“You know what?” I say, turning to face my parents, then directing my words to my father specifically. “I’ve heard about bankers my whole life. How they ruined the world with bad loans, and how they take advantage of poor people while they collect fat bonuses and live in huge mansions that come with a country club. But I never believed you were one of them, Dad. I always thought you were one of the good ones. But this offer—“ I shake my head. “I’m not blowing up Ryker’s business plans. You are. And you’re not doing it because he’s not worthy, or because he can’t pay back this loan, or because the project isn’t a good idea. You’re doing it because you don’t like the thought of us dating. And I just want you to know… that’s why I’m leaving.”

And then I take off my grandmother’s diamond ring, place it on my dresser, and walk out.

I had to wait on our front porch for an hour until the car I called finally arrived. By myself, because neither of my parents followed me out and I’m pretty sure they thought I was six and this was nothing but a childish bluff, but it wasn’t.

That car came and I got in. And all the way into the city I prayed that my father didn’t decide to remove his credit card from my ride app, because I had no money to pay for this ride if he did. And wouldn’t that teach me a lesson? Running away using your daddy’s credit card is the epitome of childish.

I don’t call Ryker in the car because I’m not really sure how he’s feeling right now and I don’t want to give him a chance to tell me to go home. So when I arrive at his building—thank God the transaction goes through—I just walk inside, go up to the concierge, and tell them to announce me.

I fidget and worry as the woman at the desk calls up and tells Ryker I’m here. At least he’s home. If he wasn’t I’d have to take another car over to my sister’s house and beg her to let me stay. And that’s not something I want to do.

“He’s coming down now, Miss Amherst,” the concierge says, smiling at me.

“Oh,” I say. “OK.”

I don’t know if that’s good or bad. Will he turn me away? Tell me to go home so he can save his deal? I have a sick feeling in my stomach that I just made a huge mistake. What if he was just using me for sex? What if he chooses his business over me?

It would be the logical thing to do. Letting me up to his apartment means everything he’s worked for goes up in flames.

I want to vomit, that’s how stupid I feel right now. Why did I walk out on my parents? Why did I come all this way when I could’ve faced the facts in the privacy of my own home? Why did I ever think a man like Ryker could fall in love with me?

The elevator dings and Ryker steps out. He’s frowning at me. “Aria, what’s going on?” He looks around, like maybe my father is here too and this is some kind of intervention.

Then he spies my suitcase and his eyes meet mine.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I shouldn’t have—“

“Yes,” he says, walking towards me to take my hand. “Yes.”

And then he leads me into the elevator and we go up to his apartment.

When we step out he takes my suitcase and puts it aside. Then turns to me and pulls me into a hug. “I’m so sorry.”

I hold him tight and sigh. “This is all my fault. It was a stupid idea to take you up to my bedroom. None of this would’ve happened if I had just acted more mature.”

He chuckles, making a deep rumble noise in his chest. “Well… it’s probably my fault for telling you about getting-caught sex that first time.”

Which makes me smile and relax a little. But then I remember what my dad said in my bedroom after Ryker left. “He really is going to cancel your loan,” I say.

“I know. And Ozzy is probably going to buy me out.”

I pull away from him and stare up into his eyes. “They why did you bring me up here?”

“Aria,” he says, swiping my hair away from my face. “You are the most important thing in my life right now. I’m not going to give you up for money. Never. So just please, put that out of your mind.”

“But you worked so hard for this,” I say. “And now it’s over.”