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He only chuckles. “Don’t look now, but Gina’s on her way. She’s caught up talking to someone, but she’ll be here soon.”
“Okay,” I say, pulling myself together for the performance. Not that I need to, it’s only Gina, but I can’t help it.
“By the way, I really love your hair up like that. It’s stunning. You’re stunning.” His eyes linger on my upswept hair with silvery tendrils framing my face.
I know he’s not pretending because it’s the same scorching look he was giving me just before he spanked me in his library. That feels like ages ago. “Thank you, Ryan.”
And like that, my anger dissipates, replaced by a warm flutter in my stomach. Whoever gave him the playbook on me did their job well—he knows how to push my buttons.
He helps me take off my coat, then does a double-take, his eyes widening. “Christ,” he breathes out.
“What?”
His gaze trails down the back of my dress, his hand following the curve of my waist and the nearly bare expanse of my back. “Stella, this dress is insane. You need a scarf.”
I chose a silver-gray, form-fitting mermaid dress with a modest v-neck and delicate spaghetti straps. The back plunges to a deep vee at the waist. It’s adorned with crisscrossing silk ribbons that tie into a bow at the center, giving it a daring, almost backless look.
“You don’t like the dress?”
“It’s classy, but too... distracting.”
“For you, maybe,” I smile.
He takes another glance at my back, probably at the tattoo beneath the straps, but remains silent.
“What?”
He simply shakes his head, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. “You may be right. I’m realizing I have such a thing for butterflies,” he murmurs.
My cheeks flush with the memory of how his fingers traced the ink on my back the last time I was bent over his desk. “Do you now?” I reply softly.
Since that day in his office, we’ve defaulted back to texts and scrawly notes. Ryan has buried himself in work and allowed his crazy schedule to keep us apart. And I refuse to chase after him—I have my pride, after all.
I know the distance between us isn’t about his workload; His shift in attitude has everything to do with that almost kiss.
“Finally! You’re here. I’ve been on pins and needles, waiting for you Stella!” Gina’s voice carries through the lounge. She engulfs me in a bear hug as soon as she reaches us. “I feared you might skip your own congratulatory party.”
“No way,” I reply, matching her enthusiasm.
Then, with all the subtlety of a town crier, she leans back and bellows toward the east wing, “Pop, Ryan and Stella have arrived!”
“Jesus, Gina, could you maybe turn up the volume? I’m not sure they heard you in New York,” Ryan quips.
She gives a nonchalant shrug at her brother. “Dad wanted an update the second you two showed up, and, well, before you dive into the ocean.” She cocks her head toward the garden. “He’s in a meeting and wants you there.”
“Why?” Ryan questions.
“I haven’t the foggiest clue,” she shrugs again, not meeting his eyes.
“Let me see what he wants.” Ryan is already moving away. “Baby, give me a few minutes. I’ll come and find you as soon as I’m done and then we’ll join everyone in the garden, alright?”
“Sure,” I say with a smile.
The way Ryan almost sprints for the curving stairs, especially after Gina’s too-casual tone tells me there’s more. It seems the siblings have their own secret language, not unlike the one Ryan and I are perfecting.
Before I can ask her any question, Gina links her arm to mine, her voice laced with excitement. “We have so much to catch up on, Stella. Let’s go to my old room.”
I follow Gina in the opposite direction thankful for the delay before having to face the crowd in the garden.
