Chapter 9

"Why is that guy still not here?" Fiona muttered, glancing at her watch. "Babe, who else did you invite?" Lucian asked gently. "You'll see, sweetie!" Fiona replied, her smile glowing. With all the "babe" and "sweetie" being thrown around, Ariella felt like an extra in someone else's love story. If she weren't here, they'd probably be making out already. That thought made her chest tighten uncomfortably. "You and your secrets," Lucian said dotingly, leaning in to kiss Fiona's cheek right in front of Ariella, like she wasn't even there. "Stop it! Ariella's right here..." "Um... I need to use the restroom," Ariella interrupted, her chest tightening like there wasn't enough air to breathe. She had to get out. She quickly stood up and walked away, ducking into the bathroom to hide from the sweet, suffocating atmosphere. Looking in the mirror, she whispered to herself. "Ariella, what the hell happened? Should I just bail? Or tell Fiona everything?" But Fiona looked so happy just now. Crushing that happiness - was that fair? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in her head. "Jealous, huh?" a voice whispered near her ear. Then, a pair of arms wrapped tightly around her from behind. She felt his teeth graze her earlobe, slow and deliberate, warm breath fanning across her skin. Her ears were too sensitive - her body shivered involuntarily, knees almost giving out. "Let me go!" She twisted hard, trying to break free. "That look in your eyes a minute ago? Totally said you wanted a kiss. Now you're playing hard to get? Is this supposed to be foreplay?" he murmured, still nibbling on her ear. That was it! She didn't care anymore. Seething, Ariella slammed her heel toward his foot. The second the stiletto grazed his shoe, he dodged fast and let her go. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, face flushed red with rage. She wanted to slap him so bad. But to him, that flamed-up, furious look only made her more irresistible. "You seriously tried to stomp me? Are you out of your mind? Believe me when I say-I could take you right here." "I believe it. Animals in heat don't exactly have manners," Ariella shot back, chin held high. He grabbed her waist again, yanking her close as his face moved toward hers. She knew what he was about to say - that she had no right to fight back. So she closed her eyes. Just before his lips touched hers, hot tears silently slipped down her cheeks. Her waist was suddenly freed, regaining her space again. "If Fiona finds out you were crying, deal with it yourself," Lucian said coldly, then turned and walked off without looking back. Ariella quickly wiped away her tears. She didn't have the guts to let Fiona know-she couldn't handle seeing her hurt, and she was terrified of losing their friendship. To avoid raising any red flags, she waited until all traces of crying were gone, forced a smile at her reflection in the mirror, and headed back to the VIP lounge. "Ariella, if you didn't show up soon, someone was about to dial 911!" Fiona teased, chuckling behind her hand while glancing at the man sitting across from Lucian. Only then did Ariella notice someone new sitting next to where she had been-Ryan, the same guy who'd chatted her up at Lucian's wedding. "Come on, let me introduce you. This is Ryan, Lucian's younger brother. I brought you out today because he begged me. Seriously, he wouldn't stop! Our Ariella's just too charming-even the infamous playboy's gone shy and didn't have the guts to ask you out himself!" Fiona said, practically bursting with excitement. Ariella took a fast glance at Lucian. His face looked like a thunderstorm was brewing. Something about it pushed her to dig the knife deeper. So she turned to Ryan with a sweet smile and said, "Nice to meet you," even offering her hand. "You're gorgeous, Ariella," Ryan said sincerely, gently shaking her soft hand. "What, and your sister-in-law isn't pretty?" Fiona joked. "You are, totally! But I can't say it out loud-don't wanna get beat up by my big bro!" "Sit down already! You standing there's making me nervous!" Ryan said dramatically to Ariella. Still smiling, Ariella slid into her seat. The lily honey tea had just arrived, and Ryan, acting all gentlemanly, poured her a cup himself. "I know I've got a reputation... everyone calls me a player. But the truth? I just hadn't met the right one. Until I saw you at the wedding. I felt something real. I know this might come out of nowhere, but I really want to be serious with you. I even asked Fiona to set this up, and I wanted Lucian here too, kinda like a witness. So... if you'd be willing to date me-" "You're not a good match!" Lucian cut in, his voice sharp and cold like he was the family patriarch. He couldn't take it anymore. What the hell was Ryan on about? Trying to turn over a new leaf, out of nowhere? Wasn't it him who swore up and down he'd bed every gorgeous woman on earth? Now just because that damn woman hooked a finger, he's ready to quit the game? As a Sterling, acting like some love-sick stray dog-it was embarrassing. Ryan hadn't expected this reaction, especially not over his first try at a serious relationship. Wasn't Lucian always bugging him to settle down?