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“No, Ash, you don’t have to do anything. I’ll pay him every fucking cent of your scholarship, if you’d just let me.”
I shake my head. “I am no charity case, Ryder. I’ve been clear about that.”
He scoffs. “Charity case? You’re so fucking stubborn!” Ryder runs his fingers through his hair as he paces a hole into his living room carpet. Everyone eventually leaves, and it’s just us, arguing after I found the courage to tell him I’m taking an internship at his father’s company.
“It’s not negotiable.” Standing, I pick up my purse.
“Where are you going? It’s two a.m.”
“Home, Ryder. I’m going home.” Felicity wouldn’t mind me staying over, it’s not like I make it a habit, but I don’t want to talk about this anymore. If keeping my scholarship means working a few hours a week with his father, that is what I’ll do. I’ve learned to be self-reliant because I had to be. My parents left me with nothing and my aunt did God knows what to get me a scholarship and I sure as hell intend to keep it.
Turning on my heel, I walk toward the front door.
“Wait! I’ll take you; you’re not driving all the way back to Rothwell after drinking.”
The silence is deafening as he drives me back to Rothwell. Parked outside my aunt’s house forty-five minutes later, I suck in a deep breath. Night hangs heavy around us, and in the silence, I feel the tension between us growing.
“Thanks for the ride,” I climb out before he can say anything else, and when I’m safely inside, I hear his car pull away. My eyes sting from exhaustion and unshed tears as I drag myself upstairs and climb into bed. I love Ryder with everything I am. Without him, I’m incomplete, half a wandering soul in search of completion.
The next morning I’m awoken with a kiss on my lips, and when I open my eyes, Ryder is hovering above me.
“This doesn’t mean I fucking agree with this.” Kiss. “But I love you.” Kiss. “And I support you.”
I stop him by curling my arms around his neck and deepening the kiss, my body molding to his perfectly.
“I love you, Ryder,” I say breathlessly when we sputter apart for air.
* * *
Rothwell Corp is every bit as intimidating as its namesake. Walking into the office I can’t help but feel small, insignificant even. I’m working in the publication division which means I may not have to run into Coben Rothwell at all.
“Ms. Hawthorne, I’m Will James.” The man who greets me is good-looking—scrap that—he’s an Adonis. Perfectly styled dark hair and striking blue eyes make it difficult to look elsewhere.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. James. How did you…”
“Oh, I make it my business to meet my interns in person, Asher. And you can call me Will,” he smirks, and I swear I almost swoon. “Follow me.”
Will leads me through security and to the lifts where we ride up to the fifth floor. “Your access card is in your office.” As an intern, I didn’t think I’d have an office. Especially since I will only work here three times a week, half-day.
The doors open to a plush office abuzz with activity at eight a.m. Doors to what I assume are offices surround an open-plan office. It’s fresh and colorful, exhilarating even. “Welcome to Rothwell Publishing,”
I smile widely following him as he walks through the open plan space greeting people as he goes along. Everyone is already typing away on their laptops or doing something.
“Is it always like this?”
“This is one of the largest publishing houses in the state. We may not be the big five publishers, but we represent some of the biggest New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Authors. Then there’s the magazine and other publications.”
“Wow, I had no idea.” I look around in awe. If I knew I’d be gaining this kind of exposure, I wouldn’t have felt like I was walking the green mile. “And this…” Will opens the door to an office, “...is your workspace.”
My eyes widen. The office is spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows. “I really don’t need an office. I’m part-time.”
“You’re my junior Acquisitions Editor. Trust me you need an office.” What the fuck? This cannot be my life. “Besides, who knows, you intern here a few years, and you may decide you want this permanently.”
A grin stretches across my face. “Thank you, Will.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’m a hard ass. I expect results, intern or not.” He flashes me a half-smile that makes me flush.
* * *
