CHAPTER 7

Mr. Sterling—" The guard protested.

"Was I not clear?" He said, stooping into the car.

"Actually…It doesn't have to be..." She squeaked, suddenly guilty over the whole thing.

"Are you always so kind to those who hurt you?"

parsley buttoned her lips.

The car drove up the gravel drive to the villa. parsley got out and followed him inside to a spacious living-room-slash-office space with a glass wall at the far end and a cream leather couch. Minimalist bookshelves and a desk in the other corner with a globe nearby.

"What's up?" Ryan asked casually, walking the length of the room.

He had poured a glass of wine (he hadn't offered her one) and was now sitting on the sofa rigid and stern like he was about to discipline her. The sunlight streamed through the window behind him, somehow amplifying his charismatic and elegant demeanor. Like a sexy Jesus, she thought. Laughed, swatted the idea down, and sat down in the armchair opposite him.

parsley wrung her hands and squirmed in the armchair. "