From Lies To Love

Chapter 9

"Ryan?" Eleanor’s voice came from outside the door. "Is Emily settling in fine?"

Emily turned away, tightening the robe around her body, as if shielding herself from whatever had almost happened between them.

Ryan exhaled sharply. "Yes, Grandmother. She’s fine."

"Good," Eleanor said, her voice full of satisfaction. "Then I’ll leave you two alone. Sleep well."

A beat of silence followed before her footsteps retreated down the hall.

Ryan let out a slow breath.

Emily, however, was already stepping away, putting more space between them.

"That was close," she muttered, her voice slightly unsteady.

Ryan smirked, masking his frustration. "Disappointed?"

Emily shot him a glare. "Relieved, actually."

Liar.

He could see it in the way she refused to meet his gaze, in the way her fingers were still clenching the robe, as if holding herself together.

"You should get some sleep," she added, already turning toward the bed.

Ryan’s jaw tightened. He could have let it go. Should have. But instead, he said, "We need to talk."

Emily stilled. "About what?"

Ryan folded his arms, leaning against the dresser. "The argument. The dinner. All of it."

She sighed, rubbing her temple. "Ryan, can’t we just pretend that didn’t happen?"

"No," he said firmly. "Because it did happen. And we haven’t spoken since."

Emily turned to face him fully, irritation flickering across her face. "Fine. You want to talk? Then tell me why have you been acting so different?"

Ryan frowned. "Different how?"

She threw up her hands. "Like this! Buying me lunch, driving me home, acting like you like you actually care."

His gaze darkened. "And what if I do?"

Emily’s breath hitched, and for a moment, she had no response.

Then she shook her head. "You don’t. You just like control. You always have."

Ryan pushed off the dresser, stepping toward her. "You think this is about control?" His voice was low, dangerous.

Emily refused to back down. "Isn’t it?"

They were close again, too close, standing in the middle of his bedroom with nothing but tension and history between them.

Ryan stared at her, his pulse pounding. She was wrong. So, so wrong.

Control had nothing to do with it.

She was the only thing in his life he had never been able to control.

And that scared the hell out of him.

But before he could say another word, Emily took a sharp breath, as if realizing just how close they were.

"This whatever this is doesn’t mean anything," she whispered. "We’re just faking this, remember?"

Ryan clenched his jaw.

Right. Just a deal.

"Of course," he said smoothly, stepping back. "Get some rest, Emily."

She hesitated, as if waiting for him to say something else, but when he didn’t, she turned away.

And this time, he was the one watching her walk away.

The morning sunlight streamed through the grand dining room windows as Emily sat at the long wooden table, trying not to look at Ryan.

She had barely slept. How could she? After last nigh the interrupted moment, the argument, the way Ryan had looked at her,her mind had been a complete mess.

Now, here they were, seated across from each other, with Eleanor sitting at the head of the table, blissfully unaware of the silent war happening between them.

Ryan looked effortlessly composed, sipping his coffee while skimming through emails on his phone. Meanwhile, Emily was still trying to function.

Eleanor, as usual, noticed everything.

"You two are awfully quiet this morning," she commented, spreading jam onto her toast.

Emily forced a smile. "Just tired."

Ryan, without missing a beat, glanced at her. "Didn’t sleep well?"

Her fork stilled against her plate. Was he seriously asking that?

She shot him a look, but Eleanor, thankfully, cut in before she could respond.

"That’s to be expected. New surroundings and all," she said before turning to Emily. "I forgot to ask you last night what do you do, dear?"

Emily welcomed the change in topic. "I’m an interior designer," she said, relieved to talk about something normal. "I started my own firm a year ago."

Eleanor’s eyes gleamed with interest. "Oh, how lovely! I adore a woman with ambition. What kind of projects do you take on?"

"Mostly residential spaces, but I’ve done a few corporate offices too."

Ryan, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "She’s good," he said, setting down his cup.

Emily blinked, surprised by the compliment.

"You’ve seen her work?" Eleanor asked, intrigued.

Ryan nodded, looking directly at Emily. "She used to help with office layouts when she worked for me. Even when it wasn’t her job."

Emily’s stomach flipped. Why was he bringing that up?

Eleanor looked delighted. "Well, I think that’s wonderful. Maybe one day, you can give this house a little makeover. It could use a fresh touch."

Emily smiled, playing along. "I’d love that."

"Perfect! It’s settled then." Eleanor clapped her hands before turning her attention to Ryan. "And you, darling, should be grateful to have such a talented woman by your side."

Ryan didn’t miss a beat. "I am."

Emily’s breath caught.

Eleanor, satisfied with herself, continued with breakfast as if she hadn’t just set off another wave of tension between them.

Emily tried to ignore the way Ryan’s words lingered in her mind.

I am.

She needed to get out of here.