"Lara, you know I don't work on weekends, and tomorrow specifically, I have a lunch planned with my family. Please clear my schedule, and if it's not urgent, book the appointment for Monday. Otherwise, let me know if I can make time for this meeting," he said curtly.
Lara watched him in awe. He was accustomed to receiving attention from girls and remained unfazed by the admiring glances of his female staff in the office. Sometimes, it irritated him. He sighed and left the office, heading straight to the parking lot. He settled inside his red Ferrari, started the ignition, and drove towards his home.
Ryder Knight, a twenty-eight-year-old billionaire and owner of Knight Enterprises, had achieved success and popularity at a young age. He was handsome, attractive, and the most sought-after bachelor in New York City. He possessed two qualities that drove girls crazy: lots of money and good looks.
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Ryder's Pov.
As soon as I got home, my phone started buzzing. I picked it up and swiped to answer.
"Hey buddy, where are you? We're waiting for you at Sizzle, the club," came Alex's voice through the speaker.
"Just got home. I'll change and be there in two minutes. Wait for me. I'll be there soon," I replied to my friend.
"OK, dude, come soon." My friend hung up, and I quickly changed into faded jeans, a black v-neck t-shirt, and a leather jacket. I gelled up my hair and spiked it, then put on my leather boots, grabbed my car keys, and headed for Club Sizzle.
After a 10-minute drive, I arrived at the club. I went through the VIP gate and entered inside. Since it was dark, I couldn't see properly in the dim light, so I made my way to the bar. I was sure my friends would be hanging out there, and indeed, I found them.
"Hey Ryder! Finally, you're here. We've been waiting for you, bro," Alex, one of my friends, said.
"I had to work a little late, so I got delayed. Sorry, bro," I said with a shrug.
"No worries. It's surprising to see you without Bella tonight. It's unlike you," Logan, another friend, commented.
"She has an assignment to complete, so she didn't come with me. Besides, she'll be joining me for a family lunch tomorrow. It's better she finishes her work today," I explained with a frown. I didn't appreciate my friends bringing up Bella all the time. I was protective of her since she was my childhood friend and ten years younger. She was like a little sister to me.
"Come on, dude. Let's not waste the night. There are plenty of girls interested in you. Just look at them. They're practically throwing themselves at you," Logan said, trying to convince me. He was the craftiest among us, always up for some mischief.
I scanned the crowd and noticed a group of girls looking my way. I smirked and nodded in their direction.
"It wouldn't be right to ignore them. So, game on, boys," I declared, adopting my playboy persona.
"Ryder, aren't you in a relationship with Kate?" Logan asked, smirking.
"Oh, no, bro. She labeled herself as my girlfriend. I never made any promises. I don't want a committed relationship. You know I'm a free spirit, and that's how I like it," I shrugged, and they all chuckled.
"So, what's happening between you and Kate?" Alex inquired this time.
"Nothing serious. I enjoy her company. I like her. But I don't want any complications in my life, and falling in love is a big no for me. I don't have time for love. I want to live life to the fullest. And when there are so many beautiful girls around, how can I settle for just one?" I smirked, casting a glance at a gorgeous blonde.
"You're so lucky, Ryder. I envy you," Alex said, scowling.
"Oh, Alex! Don't be like that, dude. Just because you're getting married doesn't mean we can't have fun." Logan winked at Alex and headed off to find a girl on the dance floor.
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Ryder's Pov. A girl in a short silver dress approached me, swaying her hips seductively. "Hey, handsome!" she said, getting close to me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and whispering in my ear. "You look stunning. Let me buy you a drink," I responded, fully immersed in the game. "Sure, get me a Martini," she replied in her alluring voice. I scanned her body, observing her from head to toe. She had a perfect figure, and her tanned skin was radiant in that silver dress. I nodded and signaled the bartender to prepare our drinks. "So, beautiful, what's your plan for tonight?" I asked directly, not wasting any time. As a successful businessman, I valued efficiency. "Do you want to go somewhere else?" she asked, biting her lips sensually. "Hmm, sounds like a good idea," I said, seizing her wrist and leading her to a dimly lit corridor. I searched for an available room and fortunately found an unlocked one. It appeared to be a storage room, but we didn't care. I guided her inside
Ryder's Pov. "What????" Bella groggily answered the phone without opening her eyes, immediately yelling at the caller on that Saturday morning, oblivious to the other person's response. "Hey, baby girl! I knew it," I chuckled, enjoying her annoyance. "You forgot. Today you're supposed to come with me for my family lunch. Come on, get up quickly and get ready. I'll be there in 10 minutes," she said, conveying the urgency over the phone. "Whatever," Bella replied lazily, then hung up. Knowing her routine well, I could easily picture what she would do next. She would swiftly get out of bed and head straight to the bathroom, aware that she only had 10 minutes. In a hurry, she brushed her teeth and took a quick shower. Choosing her usual attire for outings, she put on her worn-out faded jeans, which had become quite old, and an old black t-shirt. Bella wasn't keen on dresses, and she felt content in her casual clothes, as she had no one to impress. Exactly 10 minutes later, I found my
Ryder’s pov. It was another weekend, and I was engrossed in my work on the laptop when my phone suddenly rang. Seeing Bella's name on the screen brought a smile to my face. Despite being busy as a multi-million company owner and a leader in the mafia world, I always made time for Bella. She held a special place in my life. Balancing my role as a mafia king and running a successful business often kept me occupied even on weekends. I had worked hard and dedicated myself to building my own mafia gang at a young age, ultimately earning the title of Mafia king. However, I still managed to find moments of enjoyment by hanging out with friends, going to clubs, and having casual encounters with women. I believed in living life to the fullest. But this particular weekend, I had an important deal that required my attention, so I had chosen to stay home. Bella's call interrupted my work, and I answered, trying to maintain a businesslike tone. "What's the matter, Bella?" I asked briskly while
Ryder’s pov. I was filled with terror when I couldn't locate her. But witnessing her in tears like that shattered me. "Babe, what happened? Why are you crying? Please, tell me what happened," I pleaded anxiously, alarmed to see her in such distress. "Ryder!" she sobbed, jumping into my arms and burying her face in my chest. I held her tightly, enveloping her in a protective embrace, aiming to provide comfort and reassurance. As she remained silent, my concern deepened. I furrowed my brow and asked once more, "What's wrong?" "I don't know... I was having a good time with a handsome stranger, and after a couple of drinks, I started feeling strange. My body felt like it was burning, and my head was spinning. I couldn't see clearly... ahhhh..." She clutched her head, unable to continue speaking. Her body was drenched in sweat, and her eyes struggled to stay open, as if she fought against closing them. "Shh... I've got you. Don't worry. I'm here now," I whispered, attempting to conso
Ryder's pov. I pressed the gas pedal, pushing my car to its maximum speed. Bella was in tears, and seeing her in such a state tore me apart. Glancing at her, I noticed her squirming in her seat, her clothes disheveled from intoxication. Bella was moaning in pain as her body was burning so much due to the drug's effect. I had known her since she was a baby and had seen her almost naked more often. I had always treated her like a kid. But her desperate movements and moans awakened unfamiliar emotions within me. I gulped, shaking my head vigorously. No, I couldn't allow myself to think of her like that. She was my baby girl, and I had to protect her. When we finally arrived at my apartment, her legs trembled uncontrollably, rendering her unable to walk. She attempted to step out as I opened the car door but stumbled, on the verge of falling. Without hesitation, I swiftly caught her in my arms and carried her toward my apartment, cradling her gently. Entering my apartment, I guided Bell
Ryder’s pov. Bella's thoughts were scattered. Her mind felt hazy, and her body burned with intensity. "Ryder, I need you. I need to get rid of this pain," she whispered, her voice trembling. In an instant, my clothes disappeared, and I positioned myself between her legs. The touch of my body against hers made her writhe beneath me, seeking more. Leaning in, I captured her lips in a passionate kiss, wanting to taste her essence. As I pulled back to gaze into her eyes, my silent question lingered. My breathing grew heavy as I struggled to hold myself back. "Bella, are you sure?" I asked her, seeking reassurance one final time. Bella remained silent, unable to form words. Instead, she arched her back urgently, pressing herself against me. Her response was all the answer I needed. With a hard thrust, I entered her, breaking through her resistance. Bella let out a cry of pain. I froze. How could I have forgotten that she was a virgin? I mentally scolded myself for my impatience. I sh
Logan's pov. I found myself at Alex's bachelor party, ready to have some fun. As I glanced across the dance floor, I noticed it was packed with people who were thoroughly enjoying themselves, dancing the night away. Curiosity got the better of me, so I shifted my gaze to the other side of the dance floor. That's when I spotted a group of girls, one of them being a beautiful blonde. Intriguing. Perhaps tonight would be a chance for me to experience a threesome or maybe even a foursome? I chuckled, convinced that the ladies wouldn't be able to resist my charm. Of course, it didn't hurt that I had some money to sweeten the deal. After bidding farewell to my friends Alex and Ryder, I made my way towards my next target. As I approached the blonde, I was spellbound by her stunning beauty. She was incredibly attractive, radiating a golden glow under the club's dim lights. Her light blonde curls cascaded down her shoulders in an alluring manner. I stood there, momentarily captivated by h
Logan's POV: She seemed to be enjoying the attention from her friends. Oh, poor girl! She had no idea that the effects of alcohol would kick in after a few minutes. Just as I had predicted, she began to feel dizzy, clutching her head in her hands. "What's wrong, Mia?" Joanna asked her. "My head is spinning. I can't handle it. Everything feels like it's spinning around me," Mia said, shaking her head. "It's okay, babe. You'll be fine. Let's dance. Come on," Sheena said, tugging Mia's hand and pulling her towards the dance floor. Joanna sat with me, asking me something, but my attention was fixated on Mia. The way she moved her hips seductively to the music drove me crazy. I wanted her to dance on my lap, swaying her perfect hips. Shaking my head, I couldn't bear to sit there and watch her tantalizing body amidst the crowd. I followed closely behind her and, gripping her hips, pulled her towards me. She continued to dance sensually, swaying and grinding her hips against me, driving
Logan's pov.As I slowly opened my eyes, the harsh, sterile lights of the hospital room greeted me. Disoriented and weak, I blinked several times until the blurry figures around me came into focus. There was Mia, her eyes filled with worry and relief, and my family standing by her side, their faces etched with concern."Mia..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.Her eyes lit up with tears of joy as she took my hand in hers. "Thank goodness you're awake," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.My family wore expressions of both happiness and concern. My mother's eyes were red from crying, while my father's stern facade tried to hide his fear. It was then that I knew I had to be honest with them about how I felt."I can't go through with the marriage," I admitted, my voice stronger now. "I love Mia, and I can't marry someone else."My father's face turned stern, and he scolded me, "You're being impractical! You have responsibilities, and this is no time for childish whims!"Befor
Logan’s pov. Amidst the busy preparations for my upcoming wedding, I couldn't shake off the lingering unease in my heart. Mia's sudden resignation from my company had left me bewildered and bruised my ego. I had made it clear to her that our relationship would remain strictly professional, yet she chose to leave. "Why does it bother me so much?" I wondered aloud as I paced in my luxurious penthouse. Alex, who had been helping me with the wedding arrangements, noticed my distress. "Hey, man, what's bothering you? You should be on cloud nine with your marriage just around the corner," Alex said, concern evident in his voice. "I don't know, Alex. It's just that Mia's resignation hit me harder than I expected," I admitted with a sigh. "Even though I told myself I didn't care about her rejecting me, there's this nagging feeling inside me." "Why do you bother? It is not like you feel something for her, do you?" Alex inquired. "Remember, you have a stunning fiancée, a glamorous weddi
Alex's Pov. We all gathered at Ryder's wedding, witnessing the heartfelt exchange of vows between Ryder and Bella. Their hurried marriage brought back memories of my own wedding day, where I had first laid eyes on Sarah. But after she left, things took a painful turn. I tried countless times to meet her, to explain myself, but she refused to hear me out. Her parents, adamant in their disapproval, forbade me from entering their home. It was absurd – I was her husband, not some boyfriend they could simply cast aside. I pleaded with them, insisting that I had changed, that I wanted to be with her, but they turned a deaf ear. Unbeknownst to me, Ryder had invited Sarah to the wedding as well. My heart filled with both hope and trepidation, praying that she would show up so I could finally talk to her. And then, there she was, entering the venue in a stunning peach-colored gown. Something about her appearance was different, and it left me bewildered. Her face was radiant, and I couldn't he
Bella's pov. The sound of my phone jolted me awake from my slumber, disturbing the peaceful moment I had been sharing with Ryder. Gently, I disentangled myself from his embrace, aware that I was still unclothed, and hurriedly pulled the sheet to cover myself before answering the call. "Mum!" I greeted cheerfully, my heart still elated from Ryder's heartfelt confession of love. "Bella, what is going on?" Her voice carried a tone of anger. Confused by her question, I asked, "What do you mean, mum?" "You and Ryder are all over the news, and your father is furious," she complained. My mind raced, trying to comprehend the situation. "What? I don't understand, mum. What's happening?" "Where are you right now, Bella?" Her concern was evident. "I am... I am..." I hesitated, unable to come up with a lie. "Are you with Ryder?" She guessed, and I fell silent, confirming her suspicion. "Why did you do this, Bella?" Her disappointment in me was palpable. Suddenly, the phone was snatched
Ryder's pov. My futile attempts to incite jealousy in Bella by meeting other girls left me feeling disheartened. No matter who I interacted with, she remained composed and collected, as if her emotions were impervious to my antics. Undeterred, I had to switch to plan B. I smirked as I thought about it because it was foolproof, and Ryder never failed to get what he wanted. "Bella, I have planned a vacation for us," I called her while she was in school. I smiled as I could imagine her eyes widened in surprise. "What? No, Ryder, I can't go on vacation, and, most of all, I have some assignments to complete," she replied, her voice tinged with reluctance. "Come on, Bella. Mum is persistent about my marriage, so it will be our last vacation together. I am sending my secretary. Give her your passport. We are going to Switzerland for a week. Just me and you. I want to spend some time with you alone," I insisted, hoping she would agree. "Abroad trip? You will get clicked by the media, a
Ryder's pov. At 9:00 a.m. on a lazy Sunday morning, my peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone. I groggily reached for it, wondering who could possibly be disturbing me at this ungodly hour. To my delight, Bella stirred in my arms, her tiny meows adding a touch of charm to the waking chaos. I carefully placed Bella on the pillow, ensuring her continued comfort, before reluctantly sitting up to answer the call. The screen displayed my mother's face, which meant it was likely to be something important. I swiped the answer button and, slipping my feet into slippers, made my way to the balcony, hoping to maintain some tranquility around Bella's sleeping form. "Hey mum! What's up? Why did you have to call so early on a Sunday morning?" I questioned, attempting to sound both concerned and slightly annoyed. "Ryder, I've sent some pictures of the daughters from reputable families to your number. Take a look and choose one of them. I'll set up a date f
Sarah’s pov. As I stood in front of the towering building housing Alex's office, my heart was heavy with sadness and determination. The guard, who knew me as Mrs. Hamilton, offered a polite salute, but my mind was too preoccupied to return his friendly gesture. The gravity of the situation had consumed me entirely, leaving no room for pleasantries. Pressing the button for the 60th floor where Alex's office resided, I walked with a sense of urgency, my steps guided by a singular purpose – to confront him and seek answers to the questions that haunted me. As I approached his office, his secretary tried to intervene, her professional duty compelling her to uphold the ongoing meeting's privacy. However, her attempts to halt me were futile; nothing would deter me from facing Alex. "Ma'am, you cannot go inside. A meeting is going on, and I have orders that no one can enter the boardroom," she warned, trying to assert her authority. I paid her no mind, my determination unwavering. Nothin
Sarah's pov. In a cozy corner of the restaurant, I sat opposite my dear friend Julia, the soft glow of Amber light illuminating our faces. It had been nearly a month since we last saw each other, and we were catching up over coffee, sharing the details of our lives.Julia, with her mischievous charm, leaned forward and asked with a playful wink, "How's your married life going on, babe?"A blush crept onto my cheeks as I thought about my marriage. It was like living in a fairytale – everything was simply perfect. It was clear that Alex was starting to like me just as I liked him. And what I discovered this very morning would undoubtedly strengthen our bond even more."Oh, Julia, you won't believe it," I gushed. "Life with Alex is like a dream come true. He was my dream man, and now he's my husband. I feel like I'm on cloud nine."Julia chuckled and commented with amusement, "Sarah, you're absolutely glowing. You're so lucky to have Alex. You've turned all the other girls green with env
Logan's pov. After returning from the business trip, Mia's demeanor had changed; she appeared distant, her usual warmth and charm replaced with a guarded facade. The scent of rich Italian food lingered in the air, mixing with the tension that crackled between them. “Mia, wait. I need to talk to you,” I implored, my dark eyes searching for answers in her troubled blue ones. She hesitated but finally remained in the room after everyone else had left. "What's wrong, baby girl? Talk to me. Why are you avoiding me?" I questioned, my voice trying to hold on to its usual commanding tone, but a hint of vulnerability seeped through. "Nothing is wrong, Mr. Mancini. I just... I just came back to my senses," Mia replied animatedly, trying to keep up a brave front. I shook my head, confusion evident on my face. "What do you mean?" "I mean... listen... I need this job, but I can't be your play toy. I have feelings, and I don't want to get hurt in the end. Please, Mr. Mancini, I want whatever i