own eyes before I’d ever see her wearing it again.
“Just get in the living room, Athena,” I snapped. “And pull that robe closed. I’ve seen more than enough of your tits for one day, as has half of Japan, it seems.”
I left her with her mouth hanging open, my cutting and unnecessary words clearly hitting the bull’s-eye.
I hated myself.
4
Athena
I stared at Ryker’s retreating form as he disappeared into the living area of the penthouse suite, hot tears pricking my eyes. I blinked, and a couple spilled over, sticking to my lashes. I dashed them aside. Over the years, I’d cried so many tears over Ryker Stone, it surprised me I had any left. While I futilely clung to the hope that one day he’d wake up and realize we were meant for each other, Ryker showed no signs of harboring any feelings toward me other than mild irritation and disdain. Even the rare moments of light banter never lasted long.
“I’m waiting, Athena.”
I ground my teeth, garnering fury instead of hurt, resentment in place of calm, hatred as opposed to adoration.
You want my rage, Ryker? You got it.
I stomped into the living room, purposely leaving my robe hanging half open. Childish, maybe, but if Ryker wanted to treat me like a kid, that’s exactly what he’d get.
His eyes glued to my chest, then widened. A slight flush crept up his neck. Anger maybe? No one disobeyed Ryker Stone, not these days, and definitely not since he became a billionaire. Well, tough shit, mister, cuz this girl ain’t gonna bend to your will. No, sir. He might’ve forgotten where he came from, but I hadn’t. I recalled clear as day when he had nothing, when his mother was out working all the time to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads, and my mom had to step in and make sure he had enough to eat and clothes that fit, especially during the years of teenage growth spurts.
Fortunately for Ryker, he had a brain the size of a planet and secured a merit scholarship to college. None of his achievements surprised me. He’d always been on the trajectory to greatness. It oozed from his every pore. He was born dirt-poor but destined to be stinking rich.
I fully expected him to order me to cover myself up. Instead, he plucked a loose thread from his jeans, got to his feet, and casually walked over to the bar area. He opened the ice bucket then popped the top back on. I guessed the ice must have melted.
He crossed over to an occasional table and picked up the house phone. “This is Ryker Stone. I need ice.”
I rolled my eyes, waiting for him to hang up. “You could fetch it yourself. I’m sure there’s an ice machine in the hallway or one floor down.”
His smirk came slow. “And leave you here all alone.” He tsked. “I don’t think so.”
I huffed. “You honestly think I’m going to walk the streets of Tokyo dressed in a hotel robe?”
He palmed the back of his head, the movement lifting his T-shirt to reveal a glimpse of toned abs. My stomach twisted, the memory of how those ridges of muscles felt beneath my fingertips as clear as if it had just happened. The seven intervening years only served to sharpen the edges, to add more definition to what had been, even at twenty-one, a damn fine physique.
“Nothing you did would surprise me.”
A knock at the door temporarily halted my cutting response. Ryker answered it, thanked the butler for bringing a fresh bucket of ice, and wandered back over to the bar. He made himself a scotch over ice. I saw no signs of a drink for me.
“Make mine a gin and tonic,” I drawled.
He glanced over his shoulder then showed me his back once more. A few seconds later he returned to the couch, a single glass in his hand.
Jackass.
I shot to my feet and marched over to the bar. Poured myself a drink. Stomped back to the chair. Stared at him petulantly.
“Well? Let’s get it over with, and then we can both go our separate ways.”
Ryker sipped his drink, his eyes fixed on mine. The ice shifted in the bucket, briefly drawing my gaze away from him.
He cleared his throat.
I looked back at him.
Still he remained silent, his hooded gaze and quiet menace tightening my throat. A sense of dread took root in my stomach. Taciturn Ryker scared me most of all.
After what felt like