"Let's play again."

Ryder's POV

"What did you just say, Ethan? Did you just bring me out into this room to talk trash?" My blood boiled.

"I apologize, Ryder. I'm only saying that—"

"You are very crazy," I snapped, covering the distance between us. "How is your accusation even true? I'm just seeing the man in question for the first time today."

"You and I know that this is not true, Ryder." Ethan raised his brow. "I called the hotel receptionist a few hours ago. She remembers you walking in with a man last night, seeming a little drunk, and the description of the man matches Mr. Darian's. Tall, dark hair, playful smirk... you know I'm not lying."

"You're crazy. How did you even know the hotel that I lodged in, and why did you—"

"Your father made me do it... He wanted to know if you've caused any trouble that needed to be fixed."

Fuck me!

"I don’t give a fuck about what you do for my father," my voice got dangerously low. "Stay the hell out of my business. And for Christ’s sake, I’m not gay." I turned to walk out, but he grabbed my hand.

"I'm not saying you are, Ryder. I'm only asking you to be careful."

"Go to hell, Ethan," I broke my hands off from his grip. "And don’t you ever bring this kind of conversation up ever again," I gritted through clenched teeth and walked out of the room.

***

After the party had ended, I was currently having drinks and laughs at the end of the room with Lira, trying my possible best not to look in Darian's direction.

The last thing I wanted was for Lira to feel there was something between her brother and me. Plus, I had to be more careful, especially after my conversation with Ethan.

"I think I like you..." Lira said softly, her eyes locked onto mine.

"I like you too, but I’m curious... have you always known me?" I queried, staring into her hazel eyes.

"Everyone knows Ryder Sterling." She bit her lower lip.

"I doubt that. They only know my father. I’m just the byproduct. Not a lot of people like me—why do you?"

"Now that sounds dark for someone with such a nice smile." She raised her brow slightly.

"Come on..." I said as we both started laughing...

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Miss Lira, Ryder." Ethan walked in on us. "Mr. Sterling has asked that you meet him in the dining room. It's just this way." Ethan stated, motioning for us to follow him.

"I think we have to follow him," I mumbled.

"Yeah," she nodded and stood to her feet. "Tell me, Ryder," she grabbed my hand, "Why does your bodyguard address you by your name?"

"I do not like all those formalities. So I prefer everyone addressing me as Ryder," I answered with a smile.

"Smart, handsome, and humble. I like it," she teased.

"Oh, don't bet on them. I’m not always any of those attributes." We both burst into laughter.

We got to the dining table and found my father already seated with a file in front of him, but the minute he saw Lira, he stood to his feet.

"Lira, it's so nice to meet you." A smile quickly spread across my father's lips as he stood up to give the young lady a hug.

That was new.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Sterling," Lira responded.

"Oh, you can call me Robert. I have been busy all evening. I hope my son kept you company."

"Yes, he did... He’s quite a gentleman," Lira mentioned and stole a glance at me, making me force out a smile.

"That sounds very lovely. Please, sit," my father said gladly, motioning for her to take the seat before him.

Lira and I sat side by side, while Darian sat across from us, next to my father, but with a little space between them.

"Okay, let's dive right into business," my father said, putting on his glasses and going through the document.

While my father was still going through the documents, I placed my hand gently on Lira’s, testing the waters.

She turned to me, eyes lit up like she was expecting the move… then she slipped her hand away.

Before I could process what just happened, I felt her hand slide under the table and right onto my thigh.

Hot. Bold. Seductive.

But I felt nothing.

No heat. No rush. No excitement. Nothing compared to the spark Darian had lit up the previous night.

"We’re at the table..." I whispered under my breath.

"I know..." she whispered back like we were playing a game.

"Ahem!" My father cleared his throat, getting our attention back.

Immediately, Lira pulled her hand back like nothing happened and brushed her hair over her shoulder.

I couldn’t tell if she was offended or if she was just getting back to character, but then my eyes caught his... and just as always, he was smirking.

Cocky bastard.

"Just as we discussed, Lira. I have spoken with the wedding planner, and..." My father adjusted his tie. "Everything should be ready in seven days."

Seven days? What was happening in seven days? My wedding? No, my father wouldn’t just fix that without letting me know.

"With that already handled, I want you both to start going for dates, vacations if possible. I want you to give the press a romantic story that they can’t—"

"Wait a minute..." I finally spoke up. "I’m not following. What’s happening in seven days, and why is it important I go for dates and vacations?"

"Your wedding with Miss Lira here is in seven days," my father replied smoothly. "I can give you the number of the wedding planner if you have any preferences, and—"

"Why am I just hearing about this now, Father?" My nostrils flared.

"It’s under control, Ryder. We can discuss this later."

"No, let’s discuss it now," I insisted.

"Don’t cause a scene, Ryder. You have guests."

"A scene? You made decisions about my life and my future without me. Now I’m just supposed to smile and kiss the bride? Do I even mean anything to you?"

"Screw this," I cursed under my breath, stood from my chair, and walked out of the dining room.

I stormed into my room, slamming the door as hard as I could, trying to control the anger burning in me.

Yes, I knew I was getting engaged, but an already planned wedding in seven days? He didn’t think I needed a heads-up?

I had no issues with Lira. She was sweet, smart, and beautiful. She was the kind of woman every man would die for... but I felt nothing for her, especially when she touched me.

But her brother… just the scent of his perfume made me lose myself. And his smile, his lips… they were the only things I could think about whenever I closed my eyes.

What the hell was happening to—

Knock! Knock!

My father must have sent Ethan to come check on me.

"Get out, Ethan!" I seethed. But after a few minutes, the knock came again, and that was when I realized it couldn’t be my bodyguard.

Ethan would never knock twice, not after I had warned him to stay away.

"Who is at the door?" I barked, but instead of a reply, I got another knock on the door.

I took a deep breath, walked over, and opened the door, but there was no one standing at the entrance.

But just as I was about getting back into my room, I noticed something on the floor—a note. So I picked it up.

"Let’s play again. Guest Room. I’m ready when you are. — D"

I felt my blood run cold. I should tear this note. Burn it, go back to my room, and shut the door, but I didn’t.

Instead, I started heading straight to the guest room.

My mind kept telling me to go back to my room, but I found my legs moving on their own.

I got to the guest room I assumed Darian would be in, and instead of knocking, I pushed the door open and found him—Darian.

He was on the bed, naked and throbbing, his cock hard in his hand.

"You look tense, Ryder." Darian's eyes met mine while stroking his cock slowly.

I froze. I couldn’t speak.

"I can help with that," he continued.

"I uh... I am... not tense," I stuttered.

"You can either stand there staring or you can come closer... your call," he said, and then let out a loud moan, increasing the speed of his strokes.

Shit!