Heartthrob Heroes Collection: Under Pressure ; Can't Let Go ; Seized by Seduction by Lori Foster

Author:Lori Foster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2018-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

THE NEXT FEW weeks passed in a blur for Ryanne. She bought a handful of new clothes and moved into a room at the Strawberry Inn with her family of cats. All the little kitties survived without permanent damage, and so did Belle, who seemed to use the fire as an excuse to behave even feistier than ever. Thankfully, there’d been no serious injuries among the patrons, either.

Several days ago, Ryanne had a breakdown. Feeling isolated and abandoned, wishing Earl would magically appear to hug her, desperate for some kind of parental support, any kind of parental support, she’d called her mother.

A very big mistake.

The conversation had been short but not very sweet. After telling Selma what happened, her mother had said, “This might just be a blessing in disguise, cariño. Now you can let go of Earl.”

Let go of Earl? Never! Ryanne had hung up and cried like a baby. She’d wanted so badly to find Jude and throw herself into his arms, but…that smile. It kept playing through her mind, allowing fury to take root deep inside her heart.

He’d smiled, thrilled by the ruination of her bar. His satisfaction had been momentary, yes, but even a single second was too long.

When it rained, it poured. One of her waitresses quit, unwilling to wait for the bar to reopen. She needed money now, and Ryanne understood. Then Sutter gave her an ultimatum: continue to pay me, even though I’m not working, or accept my resignation. Again, she understood. People needed money to survive.

Ryanne decided to pay everyone out of pocket, under one condition. Her employees had to sign a contract agreeing to return to work as soon as the doors to the Scratching Post opened. Everyone had signed, without hesitation.

Now I’m homeless, jobless and hemorrhaging cash. Yay me.

She’d considered canceling her trip to Rome, but her plane tickets and the villa had been paid for already—and both were nonrefundable. Another mistake on her part. At the time of purchase, she’d feared a way out would be an excuse to lose her lady balls. She’d thought: What if Rome wasn’t as magnificent as she’d envisioned? What if her fantasies were better? And yeah, okay, she’d desired Jude even then, and had wondered what would happen to her resolve if he ever showed interest in her.

I will not become my mother.

If Ryanne needed the reminder a thousand times, she would give herself the reminder a thousand and one times.

Would Jude smile about her departure, happy to be rid of her?

She hadn’t gone to the hospital to see him, had only called to check on him. He was released the next day and showed up at the inn, knocking on her door, but she told him to go away. He asked if the cats were okay, and as soon as she confirmed that they were, he left.

Afterward, she’d fumed. Only cares about my kittens, the bastardo! He’d even returned the next day and the next, each time asking if the cats missed him.

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