Without Warning: A Billionaire Romance (Playboys of New York Book 5) JA Low (e textbook reader .TXT) 📖

bringing our lips together in a heated kiss, both of us expressing exactly the way we feel about each other.

“I’m stuffed.” Rhys rubs his flat stomach as he lazily sits on the couch. “Thank you for breakfast.”

“You needed it after the way you came in last night,” I explain.

“I was a mess, wasn’t I?”

I nod my head in agreement. “What happened?”

“It was shit,” he explains before reaching out and pulling me into his side. He then begins to explain everything that happened in the meeting. I listen to his words and can’t believe what I’m hearing. It’s insane.

“You going to call Jackson and tell him all this?”

“Yeah, I’m going to get him to transfer the money securely and make sure that everything is squared away,” Rhys explains.

“Do you think this debt has anything to do with your divorce?” I ask the million-dollar question.

“I’m not sure. I sure as hell hope so. Otherwise, things are way worse than I could have ever imagined.”

When will this nightmare end?

31

Rhys

Thanksgiving

“I’m so nervous.” Ariana fiddles with her dress in the car.

“Why, you’ve met Mom before?” I look over at her.

“That was months ago and before we were dating.”

“It’s going to be fine. She’s going to love you. I promise.”

We’re having lunch with Mom, and then we’re heading to Ariana’s friend’s place for dinner later.

We pull up to the front of my mother’s building, and the doorman is there waiting for us. The valet takes my keys to move my car as we enter the apartment building.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Davenport,” the doorman greets.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Frank. Hope you’re not working too late, so you can enjoy it with your family.” Nodding my head in his direction.

“About to finish in an hour, sir. Can’t wait to get home and fill my stomach with my wife’s famous yams.” Frank rubs his stomach, which makes me smile. My hand grips Ariana’s hand tighter, wondering if maybe one day that could be us.

Me not being able to wait to get home to my wife or kids. The thought hits me square in the chest, almost taking my breath away. I’ve never thought I could envision myself marrying again, not after the craziness this divorce has become.

We step inside the elevator to take us up to Mom’s floor, and I pull Ariana to me and kiss her so thoroughly she’s left a little dazed.

“Everything is going to be okay,” I tell her. She nods her head in understanding, and the doors open into my mother’s penthouse. The smell of Thanksgiving hits us, and my stomach grumbles. Letting go of Ariana’s hand, I take her jacket and hang it in the cloakroom with my own. Then I take her hand tightly, and we head into the formal living room where Mom is usually set up.

“This place is amazing,” Ariana whispers as we walk through the opulent home. I’m so used to it all that I forget what it must look like from an outsider’s point of view. Today it looks like fall has thrown up everywhere, but my mom loves the holidays and goes over the top every chance she can get.

“You guys made it.” Audrey finds us in the hallway first and rushes forward, embracing Ariana first, then me.

“You look gorgeous,” she tells Ariana, who blushes at my sister’s compliment.

“Hey, man.” Stirling walks down the hallway.

I still see him at my family home. “What are you doing here?” Looking between my sister and best friend, I haven’t had a chance to talk to Audrey about her relationship with Stirling as yet.

Maybe I should have.

“His parents are in the Caribbean, and you know his brothers are off doing what they do. He said he was spending Thanksgiving alone,” my sister explains. “No one should spend the holidays alone,” she tells me.

A frown forms on my face, and Stirling can’t look at me.

Then Ariana squeezes my hand, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Right. Of course. Good to see you.” Shaking his hand, but not before I squeeze it tightly. Stirling grimaces but takes my warning graciously.

“Come… Mom’s dying to meet you properly.” Audrey grabs Ariana and pulls her into the formal living room, with Stirling and I not following far behind them.

“I’m sorry for crashing today,” Stirling tells me.

“I thought you said there was nothing going on between you and Audrey?”

“There isn’t. She keeps inviting me to things.” He shrugs his shoulders.

“You can say no,” I add.

“I don’t always want to.”

Slowly, I turn around and glare at him. “Excuse me?”

“I like hanging out with Audrey.” Stirling stands up to his full height. “And I don’t care if you don’t like it.” And with those few words, he walks into the living room, leaving me stunned momentarily.

Stepping into the room, I see Mom has Ariana laughing and smiling in the chair beside her. They are lost in whatever conversation they’re having. I see the genuine smile on Ariana’s face as she listens to my mother rabbiting on about something. She must be able to sense me as she looks up, and I’m struck by how serious my feelings are toward her.

“Oh, sweetheart, you’re here.” My mother finally notices me. I stride over and kiss her on each cheek. “Thank you for bringing this delightful woman to finally meet me properly.” That’s Mom’s little dig about not introducing Ariana to her earlier. “It’s nice to see she’s keeping you smiling.” Mom pats my hand as she compliments Ariana.

“How can you not smile around her?” I tell the room.

My mother squeezes my hand with delight at my answer. Ariana’s cheeks turn the faintest of pink at my words.

“Well, it’s certainly nice to see that smile again. It’s been gone for such a long time,” my mother whispers ever so softly.

“Things will sort themselves out. I’m sure of that,” I tell her. I don’t want her worrying about me.

“Come… come… lunch is ready.” Mom rises from her chair. “I’ve been smelling Patrice’s food all morning, and it’s been driving me crazy. I’m starved.” She