Love In Ink And Gold

Chapter 2

“I am so glad you decided to join me babe,” Ivy said, giving Yara a light kiss on her cheek then excitedly pulling her through the crowd.

Truth be told, Yara did not think she would be here either, seeing that this was a party for the elite and she was far from that. The only reason Ivy even invited her was because she needed her to get out of the house and stop moping around, it had been two weeks already.

Yara followed Iris into the gallery, her chunky platform boots giving a gentle thud with each step she took. All she wanted to do was stand in a quiet corner where she would not bump into anyone until she thought Ivy was satisfied with her socializing for today.

Ivy felt so pride swell in her chest at how elegant Yara looked, especially after the s**t storm she had been dealt with. Her deep brown skin glowed under the dimmed lights of the room, accentuating the bold makeup she had effortlessly put on. Her rich, dark eyeshadows created a sultry smokiness that made her deep gaze captivating as she scanned the whole room.

Everyone seemed to stop whatever they were doing for a while just to admire her curved body clad in a sleek, futuristic ensemble. She had her midriff exposed in a gray crop top and cropped military-inspired jacket, while her gray pants draped elegantly over her seemingly long legs. The combination of textures and avant-garde details spoke volumes of her artistic spirit, her steps deliberate with a natural rhythm that reflected self-assurance.

Ryder Ashford felt the small shift in the atmosphere, feeling an energy command his attention and he turned to take a quick glance. He was met with an intriguing sight of a woman with such a bold sense of style. He felt a jolt of admiration at the way she carried herself, the way she commanded the room as she walked in; she looked like she could not give a f**k who was in the room. He was used to commanding attention in a room, he was never one to even notice anyone unless they were beneficial to him but here he was, noticing her.

“I think I will just stand here and have a drink Vee,” Yara said, hating the eyes that followed her around the room.

She stood in the dark corner just hoping this night would end so she could go back to being cooped in the apartment she now shared with Ivy, getting lost in the fantasy worlds in her books. Her life seemed so much better when surrounded by imaginary characters, and she hated being around all these people who made her remember that she was at the bottom of the food chain.

“Most would assume you are just hiding in the dark, but I can see a keen observer in you. Tell me, what are you really searching for Ms. Rivers?”

Yara’s heart skipped a beat at the deep, husky voice and for the first time in her whole adult life, she felt what pure adult lust pool between her thighs. That f**k-tart Chris had never even once made her feel whatever this was.

She maintained her composure, not willing to show any weakness to this stupid rich man who probably thought every woman belonged to them. “Searching? Hardly. Just gathering inspiration,” she replied, a hint of a challenge lacing her voice.

Yara lifted her gaze to look into his face and her breath caught for a moment, the world before her seeming to blur for just a second. Ryder’s amber eyes caught her off guard, looking like molten gold, so intense she wanted to look away instantly. He stood tall and confident, his aura commanding the whole room. She took another moment or two to compose herself then flashed him a small playful smile before adding, “Sometimes the best stories are hiding in plain sight, tucked away in little corners like this one.”

“Mr. Ashton, this is my friend Yara. I see you have found her little hiding place. She might not be much of a people’s person, but I do believe she is an absolute star in the making.”

“Ah yes, Ms. Rivers! I cannot wait to hear about your book. My company thrives on discovering talented artists like yourself.”

Ivy gave Yara a little smile that looked like it spelled trouble, believing she had hit two birds with one stone, especially given the undeniable s****l tension between these two. She had worked hard to persuade Ryder to attend this event, fully aware of his dislike for such gatherings. Like her friend, he preferred to keep to himself, and she had been lucky to find that his publishing house, one of his many successful ventures, was looking for new talent. She was certain Yara would be a perfect fit for them.

Later on, Yara was grateful the stupid party was almost over and she could slip away from the stuffy room filled to the brim with guests without being noticed. Her small piece of heaven was waiting. Like she had told Ryder, the party had actually been great inspiration and her head was overflowing with ideas for her next piece, which she had already started on to keep from stressing about the fact that her first novel was still a soft copy, just sitting in her laptop, not making her any sort of income whatsoever.

At the door she was stopped by that velvety voice that send her lower body into a stupid frenzy. She had been so stupidly in love with her ex, so much she felt like they had been together their whole lives, when in reality, it had only been a fruitless two years. He had been the only man she had ever been intimate with and she had thought they were good enough in bed together, but she had no sure way of knowing. Her attraction to Ryder Ashton though, puzzled her to no end; she was not used to her body reacting this way to any man.

“Ms. Rivers, leaving already?”

Yara stopped in her tracks, her gaze against her will drifting to his slim body, tracing the sharp lines of his suit. The fabric hugged his frame perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and tapering down his narrow waist, giving off elegance, pure power radiating off him. Her eyes lingered on the open collar of his shirt, where his tanned skin peaked beneath it. She had to stop herself from licking her lips like a total perv.

She had heard rumors about how ruthless he was and right now it showed. She hated how her pulse quickened from being so close to him. She mentally shook herself, forcing her gaze to meet his with as much defiance as she could muster, daring him to keep talking and knowing he would call her up on her dare.

“The party is over Mr. Ashton,” she retorted, trying to keep her tone light even though her body was anything but calm. “I figured I’d take my leave!” She guessed she should be nice to him if she had any hopes of scoring a contract with his company and not as dismissive as she wanted to be.

Ryder stepped closer, regretting that decision instantly. The faint scent of her perfume hung delicately in the air -warm, earthy with just a trace of spice- subtly drawing him in. For a man who prided himself on perfect self-control, his breath grew uneven, drawn to the delicate rise and fall of her chest.

His jaw tightened as he cursed himself inwardly, realizing that in closing the distance, he’d crossed a line he couldn’t step back from easily. But his proposition made even more sense in his mind, especially with this reaction to her, and he felt more confident about voicing it to her.

“Before you leave, I have a proposition for you.” His voice held so much command, she felt it left little room for refusal.

Her brow arched up, her interest piqued. What could Ryder Ashton of Ashton Enterprises possibly be offering? She had heard all about him from various women who gossiped all around the party when they thought no one was listening. He was probably the richest man in this place.

“You have my full attention Mr. Ashton,” she replied, attempting a casual tone to hide her discomfort, and the nagging voice that kept reminding her she was only here because she had accidentally made friends with a rich but surprisingly humble and crazy girl who seemed to want to help her as much as she could.

Ryder’s gaze remained steady, unflinching, like he was about to address some business associate of his. “Let’s get married,” he stated as if he were talking about the weather, his tone cool and unyielding. “I need a wife, temporarily. Someone to stand by my side, present an image stability to the public and to my family. The way you commanded the room when you walked in, you are just what I need.”