Chapter 11
London’s autumn was rainy and bone–chilling cold, matching Ryan’s current mood exactly.
Months now-
Like a tireless hunting dog, he’d used every trick he could think of–endless pursuit, shameless persistence.]]
Expensive jewelry, limited edition car keys, huge daily bouquets that never repeated, private restaurant candlelit dinners, even carpeting her apartment entrance with rose petals and hiring bands to serenade…[]
All his previously foolproof pickup moves became jokes in front of Madison.[]
Her look went from initial cold indifference to undisguised disgust, and now she couldn’t even be bothered with disgust–complete disregard.]
Like he was just unpleasant air, an eyesore of a rock.]
She walked past him without a glance, stepped around his carefully prepared “surprises,” threw his priceless gifts straight in the trash without even a frown.]
This complete, treating–him–like–nothing attitude was like a dull knife repeatedly cutting at Ryan’s pride and arrogance, built from a lifetime of being everyone’s darling.
He became irritable and angry.[
Several expensive antique vases in his apartment got smashed, and his subordinates faced his thunderous rage over the smallest mistakes.[]
He had insomnia, drank heavily, had unpredictable moods, surrounded by a constant dark cloud.[]
“Why?! What the hell does she WANT?!” He roared at his empty apartment countless times, punching walls until his knuckles were bloody and swollen.
He’d never spent this much energy on any woman, yet couldn’t even get a second glance.
This crushing sense of defeat nearly drove him insane.]
Gradually, without even realizing it, the way he stalked her changed.]
He no longer just thought about getting her into bed, about conquering that body that obsessed him.[]
He started unconsciously focusing on smaller details-]]
He’d drive out of his way past her college, watching through his car window that’s houette studying by the library window from afar.
Afternoon sunlight outlined her slender neck and focused brow, quiet as a painting. In that moment, his agitated heart strangely calmed.]]
Hrd secretly stand outside her regular coffee shop, watching her discuss coursework with a blonde girl at the same table.[]
The other girl said something that made Madison’s lips curve slightly–barely there, but like a stone thrown into an icy lake, creating subtle ripples in his chest.
He gripped his fists suddenly, some indescribable emotion–jealousy or something else–gnawing at him. That smile had never been for him.[]
He even fell his heart indicady tighten when she looked pale and sick, going to buy medicine.[]
He alanoat could stop himself from rushing over, but froze under her cold, dismissive glance, only able to watch her frail figure disappear into the apartment truilding!!
That that he was restless and anxious, unable to sit sull–for the first time not from last, but from inexplicable worry []
These range, uncontrollable concerns terrified him
He tried setting Briself was jus possessiveness and wounded pride
I jurove dus, to shake off these increasingly wrong feelings, he reconnected with London’s models and socialites who’d been throwing themselves at him. trying to numb hurself with alcohol and new physical relationships, to find lus old player lifestyle ||
After boozy pusty, be brought back hot girl who looked somewhat like Maison to his hotel ||
That Tutti & ligating was seductive, the girl actively passed against him, smelling heavily of perfume, skilled and experienced []
But whwas bung band touched his test and her red he moved closer, Byan suddenly froze.{}
Chapter 11
wrong.
This felt wrong.]]
The perfume was too strong, skin not smooth enough, eyes too crude, voice too fake…]
His mind uncontrollably flashed to Madison’s faint, clean soap scent, her silky skin, her suppressed, tearful whimpers when aroused…]]
Even more shocking–he wasn’t thinking about Harper! Not the unattainable goddess he’d secretly loved for years![]
But Madison herself![]
