A Night of Desire

River Sterling’s smile froze on his face. As he watched Rhys Ryston turn to leave, he bounded down the steps in two strides and grabbed her by the wrist. "Antique, who said we aren’t going the same way? We totally are! Come on, I’ll give you a ride!"

Without giving Rhys Ryston a chance to resist, he started dragging her toward his car.

Rhys Ryston didn’t dare resist too fiercely, afraid that others might notice something was amiss. She could only discretely try to pull her hand away while reluctantly following his lead.

"Um, what’s with Brother Sterling? Is he mad because Ryston wouldn’t let him give her a ride? It’s just a ride, why get so angry?" Clara Grant thought River Sterling’s behavior was inexplicably odd.

But Holly Summers just grinned. "If you ask me, I think President Sterling has a crush on Screenwriter Ryston."

Clara Grant’s jaw dropped open wide enough to fit an egg. "Brother Sterling likes Ryston?! Impossible! They can’t stand the sight of each other."

’Then again, that doesn’t rule out the possibility that they’re one of those bickering couples!’

Chase Childs was tasked with driving Holly Summers home. Before she left, Holly first said goodbye to Clara Grant, then called out to Seth Quinn, who was standing behind Clara looking down at his phone. "President Quinn,"

When Seth Quinn looked up at her, she smiled and said, "Bye-bye."

To Holly Summers, it was simple politeness—a sign of respect for her boss. But to Chase Childs, it was a sign that she had a crush on Seth Quinn.

The light in his eyes dimmed. He turned and headed for the parking area first.

Once they had all left, Seth Quinn and Clara Grant got into their car and headed for the Quinn family home.

Three cars, three different directions, three different atmospheres.

In River Sterling’s car.

The moment they were out of everyone else’s sight, Rhys Ryston said coldly to River Sterling, "Stop the car and let me out. I’ll get a cab home."

But River Sterling ignored her, saying leisurely, "You have a perfectly good ride right here. What do you need a cab for?"

Rhys Ryston knew he responded to gentle persuasion but not to force, so she said calmly, "Like I said earlier, we’re not going the same way. It would be a hassle for you to drop me off and then have to drive all that way back home."

"And like *I* said, it’s totally on the way. I’m staying at your place tonight, so isn’t that convenient?" River Sterling’s roguish tone made it impossible to tell if he was joking.

But Rhys Ryston immediately exploded. "River Sterling, have you no shame? Why would you stay at my place? What gives you the right to stay at my place?!"

Seeing her wary and exasperated expression, River Sterling just smirked. "Fine, I won’t stay at your place. But you have to give your master a smile."

Rhys Ryston immediately sat bolt upright, her expression tense and serious. "Wipe that smirk off your face. You may be the ’master,’ but I’m not that kind of girl. If you’re looking for someone to sell you smiles, go to a nightclub. You’ll find plenty there."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You really flatter yourself. The girls in nightclubs are nothing like you. You’re not pretty and you have no sense of humor. If you went to a nightclub, would you have to *pay* the customers? ...AARGH!"

River Sterling had quick reflexes, slamming on the brakes and bringing the car to a screeching halt by the side of the road.

He glared at the clear row of teeth marks on his right hand, then looked up and roared at Rhys Ryston, "Rhys Ryston! How dare you bite the driver in the middle of the road? Do you have a death wish?"

Rhys Ryston just stared fixedly at him with her big eyes. If not for the two distinct little flames of fury burning in them, River Sterling might have mistaken her gaze for one of deep affection.

"Heh, am I so handsome you can’t take your eyes off me?" River Sterling grunted, indulging in his wishful thinking.

Rhys Ryston was speechless.

’He really is that shameless!’

Ignoring him, Rhys Ryston turned to take advantage of the stopped car, planning to open the door and get out.

Her hand had just touched the door handle when a powerful force yanked her back. The next second, she found herself slammed into River Sterling’s embrace.