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When the knock sounds on my door, I nearly jump out of my skin. I look at the clock and see that it’s eight on the dot. Of course, he’s on time. The acidic taste of bile burns at the back of my throat. I take a deep breath, count to ten, and then let it out slowly, trying to settle my nerves. It doesn’t work.
“Come on, Cami. Get it together.”
The knock on the door sounds again, heavier and more insistent this time. I swallow hard and try to force myself to move but remain rooted to my spot. I can’t recall ever being this scared in my entire life. Ryder knocks again, already getting impatient.
“Come on. Let’s get this over with,” I mutter.
Clearing my throat, I walk down the short hallway and open the front door. Ryder is leaning against the door, his hands in his pockets, that cocky grin pasted on his face.
“I was beginning to think that I was going to have to go see your daddy,” he says.
Rolling my eyes, my face etched with disgust, I turn and walk away from him, stepping into the middle of the living room. My heart jumps into my throat when I hear the door close behind me, a feeling of doom descending over me when I hear him engage the lock. His footsteps are heavy on the hardwood floor, and when I turn around to see him leaning against the wall, I fold my arms over my chest and stare at him, not bothering to hide my contempt.
“I thought I told you to wear something sexy for me,” Ryder says.
Dressed in a pair of leggings and a hoodie, I stare blankly at him. “This isn’t going to happen, Ryder. I’m not going to do it.”
“Yes, you are. And do you know how I know?”
“How?”
“Because I have a feeling you care about Carter. Like … a lot. And I know you’re not going to be the reason his career ends. You’re a good person, Cami. And because you care so much about him, you’d never be able to live with yourself.”
“Don’t pretend like you know me.”
“I know you well enough to know that much about you.”
“Why are you doing this, Ryder? You can probably have any woman you want. Why are you forcing yourself on me?”
“I’m not forcing you. I mean, you have a choice here.”
“If I don’t break up with him and date you instead, you’ll ruin Carter’s career and my reputation. That doesn’t sound like much of a choice to me.”
He shrugs. “You may not like it, but it’s still a choice.”
“But why? Why me? You can go out and have any number of beautiful women out there. Why are you doing this to me?”
“Because you said no. And nobody says no to me,” he says with another shrug. “Like I told you before, all I do is win and get what I want when I want it.”
“If my father finds out you’re blackmailing me?—”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Cami. You’re just a trainer. You’re replaceable. I’m not. They gave up so much, they can’t afford to cut me.”
“You don’t know that?—”
He cuts me off with another shrug. “As long as you do what I say, we won’t have to even worry about the answer to that question. So, let’s get started. Go put on something nice. We’re gonna be late. I have a reservation at?—”
“This is not going to happen, Ryder.”
“Of course, it is. You know what happens if you don’t do as I say.”
I shake my head. “I’m not going to do this. I’m not breaking up with him, and I’d rather die than go out with you.”
His expression darkens as his eyes narrow to slits and his mouth curls back in a sneer. I don't think Ryder would physically hurt me. But the rage on his face is terrifying and makes me wonder if I'm wrong about that.
“Cami, I get what I want. One way or another, I get what I want. And what I want right now is for you to go put on some fucking nice dress. We’re gonna go out, have a nice dinner, and I’ll kiss you in public. Let’s go. Now.”
“I won’t.”
