Chapter 9: Chapter 8

LILLIAN

Lillian was in disbelief. Not just because he was actually here, but because he’d made a move on her so boldly the moment he saw her. She’d never witnessed his flirting tactics before, but if this was his usual approach, she couldn’t fathom how he managed to get any woman into bed.

Then again, some women had low standards, and his good looks and status might be enough to sway them, either separately or combined.

Lillian wasn’t one of those women. Not that she didn’t appreciate a handsome face—she did, and Noah Ryder was certainly that. If asked for her opinion, she’d say he was one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen.

She’d never seen him out of his business attire while she worked for him. Not once. She could almost believe he slept in his expensive suits, which was absurd, but the man was so impeccably put together it was hard not to entertain such thoughts.

But now, he was as casual as she’d ever seen him, his usually well-groomed hair tousled and a sexy stubble on his face. If she was being honest, at least with herself, this look suited him better, and he didn’t even seem to be trying.

But she had no intention of telling him that anytime soon, if ever. She was willing to bet his ego was still quite inflated, despite his change in circumstances. His old sense of superiority hadn’t left him, which was both admirable and irritating.

He was born into wealth, even if he was in a bit of a rough patch now. Or maybe it wasn’t as rough as it seemed if he could afford to rent a villa. No, he still had money, and that’s why he had an attitude. She was determined to change that.

So, she did as she’d threatened and introduced him to her classmates as her former boss. He was a bit stiff at first, but he soon loosened up. This was surprising, considering she knew he wasn’t a people person, especially if he deemed them beneath him and had nothing to gain from them.

He was essentially an uptight jerk. Or at least he used to be. Because something about him had changed. He wasn’t nearly as unpleasant as she’d expected, and he managed to converse nicely with most of the people at the party.

When it was over, he insisted on walking her home, playing the gentleman he wasn’t.

“It would be safer for me to walk you to yours. You might get lost,” she teased him.

“I have a very good sense of direction, and this town is too small to get lost in,” he retorted.

She couldn’t argue with that, so she didn’t.

“Okay, you can walk me home, but don’t expect an invitation inside because you won’t get one,” she stated.

He laughed, and they began their walk. She led the way. The town was quiet, but it was safe to walk late at night, which she appreciated.

Not all streets in the city were safe for late-night strolls, and one had to be cautious. She’d been a bit scared during her first few months in the city, but now, after several years, she knew how to avoid danger. She lived in a good neighborhood, but with the world changing so rapidly, she wasn’t sure how long that sense of security would last.

But here…here was home. It was different, and she couldn’t imagine ever feeling unsafe here.

“I didn’t think you would,” he replied, pulling her back to the present. “But will I see you in the morning?”

“You weren’t so eager to see me when I was working for you. In fact, I’d bet you secretly hoped I’d quit.”

“You didn’t look like you do now, and I wasn’t as bored as I am now. Your hometown is lovely, but there’s not much excitement.”

“I have to agree with you there. But after working for your successor, I appreciate the calm. I needed to come here and rest.”

“You’re not getting along with Tamara.” It wasn’t a question.

“You don’t sound surprised,” she replied.

“I’m not. She only had male assistants before she took over my position. She wasn’t likely to get along with a woman, especially one like you.”

“Oh, she was a male version of you,” she scoffed.

“I hadn’t thought of that, but I guess you’re right. I saw her before I came here. She had a lot to say about you.”

“She’s a real piece of work, isn’t she?” she said, her voice dripping with disdain.

“I’m sensing there’s no love lost between you two,” he replied, a hint of amusement in his tone.

“I know you put her in that position because you two used to sleep together, but…”

“I put her there because she’s good at her job, and Asher approved,” he cut her off, his voice firm. “The fact that we used to sleep together has nothing to do with it. She wasn’t chosen for her…bedroom talents.”

“Hmm…”

“You don’t believe me, do you?”

“I find it hard to believe you’re completely impartial,” she said. “You’re not the biggest liar I know, but like most men, you don’t like to admit when you’re wrong. And you certainly don’t like to admit when you’ve let your…other head make important decisions.”

“Are you jealous?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet street as they neared her house. Men always get the wrong idea.

“Jealous of her or you?” she asked, still laughing.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Maybe you secretly had a thing for me.”

“No, I didn’t. I hate to bruise your ego, but…”

“Don’t you dare say I’m not your type,” he warned.

She stopped outside her house, looking at him under the harsh glow of the streetlight. Despite the unflattering light, he still looked good.

“You’re my type, but I don’t mix business with pleasure,” she said.

“Is that why you came to work dressed like a goth?”

“Exactly.”

“Is that all you’re going to say?”

“Yes, because as you can see, this is my house, and it’s late. I need to go in.”

“Okay, I’ll let you get some rest. Just give me your number.”

She decided to spare him a sarcastic comment and gave him her number.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he promised.

“Do you think that’s a good idea?” she asked.

“Why not?”

“Well, you used to be my boss. It’s a little weird. You said so yourself earlier.”

Part of her didn’t believe he really wanted to keep in touch. Another part of her thought that maybe he was just bored and looking for a distraction. She wasn’t the type to lack self-confidence, but men like Noah had a way of making things complicated. Add his apparent attraction to her into the mix, and things could get really awkward.

She wasn’t sure why she was overthinking it, but she felt it would be safer to keep her distance. If they had run into each other in the city when he was visiting the company, things would have been different. They would have exchanged their usual barbs and gone their separate ways.

But here, in their hometown, avoiding him would be impossible. And the last thing she needed was for her vacation to be ruined by his presence.

“We’ve established that our professional relationship is over. I was hoping to see you when I visited the company,” he said.

“I don’t buy it,” she scoffed. “You’re not the sentimental type.”

“Far from it,” he agreed. “I just wanted to see how you were handling Tamara and if you could still hold your own against her.”

“Now that, I believe.” She nodded. “You’re exactly that kind of jerk.”

“See? You can insult me without even trying. This doesn’t have to be awkward.”

She rolled her eyes at him but didn’t say anything.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he promised again, backing away.

“Goodnight,” she said, turning to walk into her house without giving him a second glance.

She took a shower and went straight to bed, pushing thoughts of him out of her mind. She did the same the next morning. She ate breakfast and picked up the last book she’d borrowed from the library, determined to go about her day as usual, as if she hadn’t run into him at all.

She would finish her book, as she was almost done and the story had her hooked. Then she planned to visit the library in the afternoon to return her books and borrow some new ones, hopefully as captivating as the one she was about to finish.

She was strolling toward the beach, her oversized bag slung over her shoulder and a book in hand, when her phone buzzed with an incoming call. The number wasn’t familiar, but she had a hunch about who it might be, and she was somewhat taken aback that he’d actually followed through on his promise. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was just bored or maybe a little frisky. Or both.

“Where are you?” he asked, skipping any formalities.

She could still hear traces of his old self in his voice. It was oddly comforting, and she wasn’t sure why she was always slightly taken aback when his cocky demeanor resurfaced. People don’t change overnight, especially not people as arrogant as Noah had been for as long as she could remember.

“Good day to you too!” she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Yes, yes. Where are you?”

“Is that any of your business?” she asked, her tone sugary sweet.

“Are you going to make me ask a third time?”

“We both know I’m capable of that,” she shot back.

She half expected him to use her last name in a scolding tone, but he didn’t.

“Yes, but I told you I would call, and I want to see you.”

“Is being nice really that hard for you?” she chuckled.

“Not my strongest suit.”

“I’m almost at the beach,” she sighed.

“Come to the villa. You know where it is, right?”

“Is that a rhetorical question?” she teased.

“Yes,” he chuckled. “Did you have breakfast?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Damn! I thought you’d sleep in on your vacation.”

“It’s already ten o’clock,” she said, rolling her eyes even though he couldn’t see her.

“Well, it’s early for someone who has all the time in the world.”

“I don’t like wasting the day sleeping, and I don’t have all the time in the world. Just one more week.”

“Right. I have all the time in the world then. I’ll eat while I wait for you and then…”

“Then?”

“We can catch up properly.”

“Without you trying to hit on me?”

“I can’t make any promises if you look as good as you did last night.”

“Stop flirting with me,” she scolded. “It feels wrong.”

“Not to me,” he teased.

“If you want to eat before I get there, you better hang up now because I’ll be there in five.”

“Hanging up,” he said quickly, ending the call without another word.

She laughed to herself, knowing she’d tricked him. At her current pace, it would take at least fifteen minutes to reach his place. She glanced at her book, realizing she probably wouldn’t get a chance to read it today. It was a shame, both because she wouldn’t get to finish it and because she’d lugged it all this way. There was no point in going back home to drop it off.

She rang his doorbell, half-expecting a stern butler to answer and ask if she was expected. But it was just her former boss. She felt a twinge of disappointment. She knew that this house used to be bustling with servants. She was too young when that era ended.

The owner had passed away, and his heirs had let everyone go and handed the property over to a real estate agent who rented it out to wealthy vacationers. That’s what her parents had told her, anyway.

“You tricked me,” he said flatly, glaring at her.

“Did I?” she smirked.

“Yes, you did. You said you’d be here in five and I almost choked on my breakfast.”

“But you didn’t,” she countered. “And I simply miscalculated.”

“You miscalculated,” he scoffed. “Really?”

“Yes. It happens all the time. Now, are you going to let me in?”

“I shouldn’t.”

“You shouldn’t?” she echoed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You practically ordered me to come here and you were so eager to see me that you answered the door yourself.”

“There’s no one else here but me.”

She hummed softly in response.

“Now that you haven’t choked on your breakfast and since you wanted me here, move so I can get in. It’s getting too hot out here.”

“It’s rude to eat when you have guests who aren’t joining you,” he said, stepping aside to let her in. “And you shouldn’t have been so smug if you didn’t want to sweat on my doorstep.”

She rolled her eyes but kept her thoughts to herself. Her gaze wandered around the room, taking in the grandeur of the house. She’d never been inside before and was taken aback by its size.

It shouldn’t have been a surprise, considering its imposing exterior and the fact that it was once owned by the city’s wealthiest family, but she was still amazed. The house was tastefully decorated, not overly cluttered with unnecessary items. She wondered if the current owner had sold off some of the original furnishings, giving the place a more minimalist feel.

Regardless, she wouldn’t mind calling a place like this home, as long as she wasn’t responsible for the cleaning.

Noah, oblivious to her awe-struck expression, guided her toward the backyard. The garden was just as impressive. It was clear someone took great care in maintaining it, as it was in pristine condition.

A garden of this size required a lot of work, even if it wasn’t overflowing with flowers. There was also a pool, as grand as one would expect. But given the choice, she’d always choose the sea.

It was more unpredictable, more natural. Lillian had always preferred things that were natural. Her decision to rent an apartment close to work wasn’t just for convenience.

She hated the cramped feeling of public transportation. She preferred to walk, and this town was perfect for that. It wasn’t so small that a car was unnecessary, but it was walkable if you were up for it.

“I hope you’re wearing a swimsuit under that dress,” he said, interrupting her thoughts.

“Huh?” she mumbled, turning to see him looking her up and down.

“Do you have a swimsuit on?” he asked again, rolling his eyes at having to repeat himself.

“I did say I was going to the beach, didn’t I?”

“Do you read at the beach?” he asked, pointing at her book.

“It’s the only place I can read these days,” she sighed.

“Were you a bookworm, Miss Astaire?” he teased.

“I was, Mr. Ryder. Are we still doing the formal thing? I thought we agreed it was pointless last night.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I suppose I should drop it if I want to get you into my bed.”

“Good luck with that,” she retorted, setting her bag down next to a lounge chair.

“You’re right,” he said as she was about to put her book away. “I should start with easier tasks.”

“Like what?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder at him.

Big mistake.

Instead of answering, he gave her a mischievous grin and moved closer. Before she knew what was happening, he had lifted her up and tossed her into the pool, book and all.

“I’ll have to pay for this, you jerk!” she yelled, holding up the soaked book.

It was beyond saving. Even if it could be salvaged, Mrs. Jones, the librarian, would know something was off. At best, she’d get a disapproving look. At worst, she’d be bombarded with questions.

Not that Noah would care. He laughed heartily, pulling off his shirt and diving into the pool.

“I’ll cover the cost,” he said, swimming up to her.

“Aren’t you unemployed?” she shot back.

“Yes, but if I can afford to rent a villa for vacation, I can handle the cost of a book.”

She shot him a glare, swam to the edge of the pool, and set the book down. The damage was done, and it wasn’t about the money. She hated seeing books ruined just as much as Mrs. Jones did.

The librarian would know, even if she replaced it with a new one. She turned to swim back to Noah, but he was already there, blocking her path.

“You’re not going to try to flirt with me again after throwing me in the pool and not even offering me a drink first, are you?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“I’ve never been much of a gentleman in that regard.”

“That’s obvious. No wonder all your ex-mistresses hate you.”

“They despise me because they assumed I’d leave my ex-wife for them, even though I never made such a promise. I trust you’ll be wiser than they were,” he said.

“I will be, because I won’t sleep with you,” she retorted.

“You will,” he said, his voice devoid of any emotion. “I think we both know that’s true.”

“Feeling a bit too sure of yourself, aren’t you?” she laughed.

“Interesting choice of words,” he replied, a teasing note in his voice. “Guess I’ll have to prove myself now.”

“No, you really don’t,” she reassured him.

She gave his chest a gentle push, and he stepped back. At least he could take a hint.

She wasn’t scared of him, nor did she feel threatened. But she was accustomed to a completely different kind of interaction with him. When she worked with him—or rather, for him—he was never this playful or flirtatious.

And that was true for every woman she’d ever seen him with. She had no idea if he was like this behind closed doors, but right now, she was learning more about him than she wanted to.

She was doing her best to act cool and normal since last night, but it wasn’t easy. She wasn’t immune to his charm, after all.

“We can just catch up then,” he suggested, a smile playing on his lips.

She suppressed a sigh of relief and simply nodded. Catching up sounded safe. Innocuous.