Ruthless Heir (Ruthless Billionaires #5)

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Harper

God in Heaven. What am I going to do?

I march into my temporary room and slam the door behind me. The impact makes the bookshelves rattle.

Feeling my blood still heating, I slump against the wall and allow the coolness from the satin wallpaper to seep into my skin and calm me.

Asher is an absolute nightmare.

The other day at dinner was bad enough but what happened just now with Jack was utterly outrageous.

Sure, I’ll admit that I told two little white lies that definitely fanned the flames of Asher’s rage.

I lied when I said Jack was perfect for me. And I lied when I said I was thinking of moving in with him.

Jack does have a spare room that I’m welcome to stay in but I’d be an idiot if I didn’t know he wants to fuck me.

He was the gorgeous waiter Beth and I met years ago who now owns our favorite restaurant. It turns out he became more gorgeous and more interested in me.

We went to the restaurant today and I got talking with him. Beth had to leave early and I ended up spending more time than I should have with Jack.

He’s a nice guy and maybe I liked the attention.

But Nick was nice , too. In the beginning.

I saw Nick as the guy the universe sent to make up for what happened between Asher and me. Or rather what didn’t happen.

I didn’t just have a silly girly crush on Asher. I was head over heels.

Memories of us may still be trapped in my mind, but I know myself. I may come across as having this big ballsy personality but I wouldn’t have simply thrown myself at him without good reasoning. Or the emotions behind it.

It took a lot of courage to do what I did, but more than anything I know I would have allowed my heart to guide me.

I think that’s why I remember the incident and the sting of Asher’s rejection. My heart never forgot it even if my mind did.

It was just my bad luck that Nick was the devil and the answer to nothing but disaster. So I’m not about to hop into bed with a guy I don’t really know.

Neither am I in a hurry to start a relationship with a guy I’m sure just wants me for sex. Asher can take a damn hike for thinking that I am.

The one true thing I said to him is that he’s a nightmare and I can’t live with him. I can’t. It’s already driving me insane.

I already lived with a control freak and it was awful. I feel terrible comparing Asher to Nick because Nick was a monster, but they’re both controlling.

At least I could figure Nick out. But when it comes to Asher I don’t know where to begin deciphering him.

On one hand he seems to be acting out of loyalty to Josh, but then I look at him and his eyes tell a different story.

In his eyes I see the kind of possession a man feels when he’s claimed a woman and decided she’s his. But of course, I’m wrong. He doesn’t feel that way about me at all. And I think I’m just seeing what I want to see.

You’re like a sister to me…

I’ll never, ever forget those words.

I straighten and make my way to the bed where I sit and stare at my violin on the desk.

I was supposed to get back two hours ago to practice, but I needed the break. Not from music— never from music . It was everything else.

I got a text from Vito first thing and it jarred me for the entire day.

Quickly I pull my phone out of my pocket to check if there are any other messages from him. When I lived in L.A. he’d message several times a day.

Thankfully there are no more messages. Just the one from this morning.

Checking in on you. Just want to make sure you’re on track to pay the money,

Vito.

I can almost hear his gravelly voice laced beneath every word.

I messaged back to tell him everything was fine, but nothing was further from the truth.

Within ten minutes I got rejection emails from two of the jobs I’d applied for that I thought I would get.

They were the ones I felt most confident about. One was in a bar in a hotel, the other a swanky restaurant on the river. The pay was really good and the hours flexible.

The money wouldn’t have been enough to pay Vito the arrears but getting a good job is supposed to be the vehicle to getting a possible loan and also to sustain me.

I’m still waiting to hear back from the other sixty jobs I applied for. Beth might come through with something, too.

As for everything else, all I have to worry about is practicing. For that I enlisted the help of my old violin teacher, Daniela Moretti. I have my first lesson with her tomorrow morning at ten.

Since she’s now retired and I was one of her favorite students, she’s offered me free lessons which I gladly accepted.

It will be great to see her. Daniela has been my teacher since I was five.

We haven’t seen each other since before I started college. It will also be good to step back into the music world and be the version of myself I’ve longed to be, if only for a few hours.

People say that it’s good to do something every day that makes you happy. These days I find that the little things I always took for granted are my happy things.

The past has taught me that you need to enjoy what you have when you have it because you don't know what dangers lurk in the shadows.

Violin lessons might be the last thing I should be thinking about with the trouble I’m in, but every week is so different for me. Nothing is the same even from one day to the next let alone one week.

I pick up the violin and play the first piece that comes to my mind—Bach’s Concerto No.2 Adagio.

As the notes flow from my fingers and ripple into the air I allow myself to get lost in the melodious sound. I release my worries with it.

The money, the problems, Asher.

Asher … No, he lingers like always, clinging to the corners of my mind and my heart, confusing the hell out of me.

No matter who I meet he’s the only man who’s ever had such a hold on me.

I wish he didn’t. My life would be so much easier if he meant nothing to me and were simply my brother’s best friend.

“Thank you, universe. Please kick me some more while I’m already flat on my face in the dirt.” I scowl at my phone, glaring at the Uber app which is still telling me that there are no drivers available.

Ugh. This would have to happen today of all the days wouldn’t it? When I’m doing the one little thing I was looking forward to.

I have two hours to get to Daniella’s apartment in Lower Manhattan. There are no Ubers, Beth is at work, and all the other taxi companies are either booked up or backed up because of the intense morning rush hour traffic.

My car is being delivered in the next few days but Daniela can only do Tuesdays at ten. I didn't want to miss my first lesson or reschedule for next week.

Maybe Olga can drive me. I’m supposed to ask her for whatever I need. Since I’ve been here I’ve asked for very little.

Granted that’s because Olga hasn't exactly been friendly toward me. But to be honest, I’ve kept my distance.

She seems to be the type to judge and I don’t know what Asher might have told her about me. That aside, if I want to get to my lesson today she’s my best chance.

With that in mind I leave the room and make my way toward the kitchen where I know she usually is at this hour. When I turn down the hallway I spot Rachel walking toward me. She’s one of the nicer maids.

“Morning, Rachel,” I greet her with a slight wave of my hand. “Is Olga around?”

“No. She's gone to the market. She won't be back until later."

Darn it. I’m too late. I stare back at Rachel and wonder if she can help. “Is there any chance you could do me a huge favor and drop me off in the city?”

Rachel's shoulders slump. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I would say yes but I have a few deliveries to wait for. Asher is here, though. I'm sure he'd love to take you.”

My eyes instinctively widen. “Asher is here at this hour? I thought he would've left for work already.” Yesterday I swore he left at the crack of dawn.

Rachel chuckles. “His schedule changes like the wind, my love. He's out by the pool. Go on. Go ask him for a ride. I'm sure it'll be fine." She gives me a little smile then saunters away.

After yesterday’s drama I don't want to ask Asher for anything. I was planning on not speaking to him again for a long, long time. But as it stands, either I swallow my pride and my annoyance at him and ask for a lift, or I cancel my lesson with Daniela.

Thinking of the latter depresses me. But so does asking Asher for a ride.

The longer I wait, the more time I waste.

Damn it . I’ll just ask him. If he agrees I’ll only have to be in the car with him for a little over an hour tops. That’s definitely not as bad as the hellish ride from Massachusetts.

Dragging in a deep breath, I force my legs to move and head down to the pool.

When I step through the sliding glass doors the fresh morning air greets me, along with the rhythmic swishing sound of someone swimming.

I walk along the concrete path leading to the pool and realize it’s him.

When Rachel said Asher was by the pool I thought he'd be reading the papers and drinking coffee, not inside it doing the backstroke with the strength and skill of an Olympic swimmer.

His arms cut through the water like blades and I find myself staring at him, utterly fascinated.

As he glides effortlessly through the water, a hazy memory comes back to me of him and Josh hanging out in the pool at my parent’s old house. I was ten, so that made them eighteen.

I used to watch Asher all the time but as I stared at his abs with all those chiseled muscles, that was the first time I truly felt attracted to him.

Moments later he swims over to the poolside and pulls himself out. Then I feel it again— attraction .

My eyes glue to his body and I notice how every part of him exudes a magnetic pull that’s impossible to ignore.

The water cascades off his muscular frame in shimmering rivulets highlighting the defined lines of his torso, where intricate tattoos weave across his chest and down his sides.

I’d forgotten he had so many.

There’s a hawk, a spider, Japanese characters and other cool things. Each design adds to the allure of his rugged yet refined appearance.

Of course Asher’s body is the type you’d expect to see on a magazine cover but there's something more—an effortless confidence in the way he moves.

A man like him knows the effect he has like the back of his hand.

His gaze meets mine and my breath catches. There's an intensity in his eyes. The same as yesterday. But there’s something more there, too, that I can’t put my finger on.

With his eyes fixed on me he picks up a towel and casually runs it over his hair then drapes it over his shoulders. Then he shifts his weight from one foot to the other and stares at me, a silent invitation to go to him.

I bite the inside of my lip and will myself to move once more, wondering if we’ll argue again.

He might even tell me to ask Jack for the lift.

No, Asher wouldn't do that after practically forbidding me to see Jack.

I walk toward him and he straightens.

"Morning.” I keep my tone cool and calm.

He raises his brows. "So, she’s talking to me again."

“I need something from you.”

He grins and I hate the way those stupid dimples in his cheeks make him look that much sexier. "What do you need from me?"

"A ride into the city. I have a violin lesson.”

“Are you sure you want me to give you a ride?”

“There are no Ubers and Olga is at the market. I’ll just need a ride there. I can make my way back.”

He stares back silently for a few moments and I think he’s going to throw back another snarky comment, but instead he gives me a curt nod. "I'll be ready in fifteen minutes. Wait for me in the living room."

"Thank you." I turn and walk away but feel his gaze on me. I look over my shoulder and confirm he's watching me.

I head back to my room and grab my violin then I go to the living room where I wait for him.

True to his word, Asher is ready to go fifteen minutes later.

I thought he would be suited and booted as usual for the office but instead, he's wearing a pair of black jeans and a long-sleeved navy T-shirt that shows off his muscles. Seeing him look so casual takes me by surprise.

“What?” He quirks a brow.

"I didn't think you owned clothes like that anymore.”

"I guess I'm always ready for the office. Come on, let's go."

Okay. He’s being nice again. If I could get him to keep this up we just might make it through the journey.

I follow him outside and he surprises me again when we go into the forbidden garage where he keeps his cars that are off-limits to me.

I imagined him with all sorts of cars but when he opens the door I’m blown away. Nothing I imagined compares to the cascade of luxury cars he has stored away in here. I feel like I just walked onto the set of a Bond film.

There’s the Maybach he drove to pick me up in Massachusetts next to three others—one in each color. Blue, red, black and white.

Lined up next to them are two Bugattis, a few Porsches, Lamborghinis, some other cars I don't know the names of and several motorcycles. There are at least twenty-five different vehicles here.

"Wow," I rasp "You have enough cars in here to start your own showroom."

Asher gives me a thin smile. "Collecting cars is a hobby of mine."

“Most people collect stamps or coins.”

“I’m not like most people.” He gives me a cocky wink and leads me to the black Bugatti.

He opens the door for me to get in before he slides into the driver's seat.

“Got the address?”

“Sure.”

I take out my notebook and show him Daniela’s address. He taps it into the GPS then starts the car and we drive away.

Silence fills the space between us once we’re on the road but it’s fine. It’s better this way.

We get to Daniela's an hour later. I expect Asher to leave me but he pulls into the parking lot for her apartment building.

“I can take it from here,” I tell him.

“I have some time. I can wait with you and drop you back home.”

That gives me pause because I thought he was blocked-out busy. “How come you have time for this?”

“Some days I have to work past midnight. Especially when I have international meetings. On those days I prefer to spend my mornings at home."

I think back to last week when he picked me up in Massachusetts. He would've just been coming back from work. That explains why he was still in his suit. I thought maybe he had an event or something.

“I’m surprised you work that late. I never imagined that you’d need to.”

He grins back at me with a spark in his eyes. "You’d be surprised. Go on, lead the way.”

I walk ahead and he falls in step with me. “I haven’t had anyone sit in on a lesson in a long time.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll stay in a different room or something so I won’t distract you.”

“Okay, thanks.”

No one would imagine that we had such a big blow-up yesterday.

We go up to Daniela’s apartment and as soon as I see her I feel like I could be eighteen again. Or better yet, a child with both her parents alive and well in the world.

Asher waits in her living room to go through his emails while we head to her private hall where the acoustics are amazing.

Then for two hours I allow myself the reprieve of playing my music.

“You play so much more with your heart now,” Daniela says once the lesson ends. Her eyes are filled with pride and adoration, making the pale gray color look more alive.

“Thank you so much. That means a lot to me.” I smile back at her.

“It is the truth.”

“I guess my heart has always been the one thing that has remained true to me.” All my memories and emotions are stored in my heart. Along with my zest for life. “It’s where the music comes from.”

“Me too, dear. In all my eighty years I have always played with my heart. I do hope you’ll be staying in New York. It would be great to see you.”

“New York is the long term plan. I’m hoping to get an internship in one of the bigger orchestras. I’ll know if I stand a chance once I’m back at NYU.” It’s strange talking about my dreams when they seem further than they’ve ever been.

For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to be part of an orchestra like that of the New York City Ballet.

Mom loved going to the ballet. Whenever she took me to see a show I’d always imagine myself being part of the music that made the performance come alive.

Daniela rests a hand on my shoulder. “I have faith in you. I have no doubt that the best is yet to come from you.”

“Thank you. And thanks for today.”

“It was my pleasure, dear. I can’t wait for next week.” A kind smile brightens her face once more.

“Me too. See you next week.”

“See you.”

We say goodbye and I walk out feeling lighter than when I first went in.

It’s like I have two different lives.

People look at me and mostly see the rebellious woman who seems to keep landing herself in trouble, but I swear never purposely set out to be that way.

Sure, I have a thrill for adventure and I’m definitely the wild child. But this is the real me. The softer side where music is my world.

I’ve just had to toughen up over the years because life cut me a raw deal more times than I’ve had strength. That doesn’t mean I love trouble.

The glossy floorboards creak as I make my way down the hallway and follow the path back to Asher. He gives me a small smile when he sees me.

“You look like you had fun,” he states, standing.

“It was perfect.”

“I have an hour or so. Do you want to get lunch at the diner?”

A smile twitches my lips. “The billionaire still goes to diners for lunch?”

“All the time.” He grins back at me. “Let’s go to that place you used to love on the Bowery. I think we need to talk.”

Talk …

Yes, we do need to talk. But I hope that’s not code for more arguments. “Sure.”

Asher takes me to Penny’s Diner, a place I remember us all going to when we were kids.

We sit in one of the booths at the back and order burgers, super-size fries and giant milkshakes.

When the food arrives it looks so delicious we both dive in. I’m not starving by any means but it’s the kind of food that makes you grow an extra stomach to fit it all in and still leave room for dessert.

I’m halfway through the meal when I glance at Asher and find him watching me.

“What? The food is great here.” I chuckle.

“I know. I was just thinking.”

“About the talk we need to have?”

“Yes.”

At least I’ve had enough food so that if we argue and I need to walk out, I won’t feel bad leaving a whole meal behind.

"I don't think you're an idiot," he says as if we’re continuing a conversation, but I’m following. We’re back to the other night at dinner.

“Don’t you?”

“I don’t, but I also don't like Jack." His voice drops when he says Jack’s name.

I roll my eyes at him. "We're not going to argue again, are we?"

“No.”

I sit straighter and stare back at him, trying for the millionth time to figure him out. “Are you sure? Because this is how it always starts. At first, you seem nice then you turn into a raging asshole.”

“I promise.” He holds up his hand and waves it back and forth like a peaceful white flag. “No arguments.”

That’s one hell of a thing to promise given the fact that arguing is all we’ve done, but I’ll play. “Why do we keep arguing, Asher? I seem to piss you off no matter what I do, even when I do nothing."

“We argue because you don't like me being protective over you." he gives me a pensive stare.

“That’s not protective. You’re acting crazy. You can’t tell me what to do or stop me from doing shit. Especially when I’m not doing anything wrong. You also can’t stop me from seeing whoever I want to see.” He doesn’t want me, so I can’t allow him to ruin my life even if I’m not interested in Jack.

Asher’s jaw clenches, marring his pristine attempt to look calm and reasonable. Those piercing eyes of his bore into me and I know he wants to be as forthright as he was the other day. He’s holding back, though.

“Let’s call a truce,” he suggests. “I’ll tone it down if you agree to stay with me.”

“Are you afraid Josh will be mad at you if I leave?” I fold my arms under my breasts and his gaze flicks down to my cleavage for a few heartbeats, making my stomach squeeze.

For a fleeting moment his eyes swell with what seems like desire. The kind of desirous look I’m used to from men. But the look disappears seconds later, leaving me wondering if I imagined it.

Did I?

I don’t know and it doesn’t matter. All I do is torture myself when I think like that.

Asher’s face resumes that mask of confidence so I push the thought out of my mind, promising myself that I’ll stop trying to read between the lines.

“If you actually believe that scares me then you don’t know me as well as you think.” He sets his shoulders back and levels me a hard stare.

“Okay, so if you’re not worried about Josh then why do you want me to stay?”

He holds my gaze and his eyes become more open, less guarded, more vulnerable. “Maybe I just want to take care of you for as long as you need me to.”

As the words fall from his lips, warmth blooms deep inside me, spreading through my chest like a slow, gentle wave.

Asher’s gaze becomes steady and sincere and it feels like he's staring right into my soul.

The world around us seems to fade, leaving only the sound of his voice lingering in the air. It wraps around me like a soft, invisible embrace and soothes me, breaking down the walls I’ve constructed between us.

“Does that answer work for you?” He cocks his head and continues looking at me with the same potent stare.

“It works.”

“So, you’ll stay?”

“Okay. I’ll stay.”

He smiles on hearing my confirmation. “Good. Is there anything else you want to talk about? Anything else worrying you?”

Yes, Asher. I owe a loan shark a hundred thousand dollars and I think he might kill me if I don’t pay up . “No… There’s nothing more.”