Chapter 4—Shocking Revelations

My eyes crack open and I blink several times, trying to clear my blurred vision. My head aches terribly and I’m thirsty. I start to get up from bed, but something weighs down on my middle. I peer down and I gasp at the sight of a man’s hairy arm across my waist. I twist carefully to find him fast asleep beside me. Ryan My palm slaps my lips and my eyes widen in horror as last night rushes back to me. Oh no. Oh God. What did I do? What have I done? I’m here, and he’s here and. . .How much did I drink? I remember everything from last night, every last detail, and there’s nothing I want more right now than to disappear into thin air. I’m a bright shade of red and jeez, I feel embarrassed. I can’t face him again. At some point last night, or early this morning, I wiggled my back against his front while whispering such vile things to him and. . .oh, God. What must he think of me? That aside, we didn't–Christ. We didn't bother with condoms. We didn't even think about condoms! My brain is scrambled and I can't seem to get a straight thought in. First, I need to get out of here before he wakes up. Second, I need to get the morning after pill–I'll just tell July to get it; she's always helped with these things. Third...well, I don't have a fucking idea of what I'm gonna do after that. I slip out of the bed as stealthily as I can, making sure not to disturb him. I’m almost tempted to press a kiss to his forehead, but he’ll probably wake up. I don’t even bother with showering. I hop into my clothes, run my hands through my messy hair, grab my heels, and slip quietly out the door like some thief on the run. I don't check whether I've left anything behind. **** It’s nearly been four weeks since that night, and not once have I been able to stop thinking about him. He is in my dreams, in my thoughts, in my head. Work has been hectic at the bakery and for some reason, I’m easily fatigued these days. I haven’t been sleeping well. That could be it. I yawn for what seems to be the fifth time this afternoon and Piper eyes me as she brings down the oven lid. “Amby, you good?” I shake off the sudden dizziness and place the last bit of dough in the tray pan. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?” She cocks a brow at me. “You’ve been yawning the entire day, and you dozed through the entire process. Girl, if you need a day off, I can cover for you. Boss wouldn’t mind.” Piper is nice that way. She’s a supervisor and she helps with the baking too. I don’t need a day off; I’ll just go back to sulking and dreaming of Ryan. I need to stay up and work. “Thanks, Piper. I can manage.” She smiles at me before dumping a tray of fresh croissants in front of me. “Take it to the counter. Lily says they’re out.” I scowl before gripping the tray and heading out. The cool breeze from the air conditioner blasts my way as I approach the counter, a contrast to the hot, hellish kitchen. “Here. Twenty-four as requested,” I say as my eyes skim the display case. It is nearly empty and it is only 9:00 in the morning. I smile. Sales have been going pretty well recently. I am certain we will get a raise this month. I’ve been saving up to open my own bakery. If I get lucky with a raise, I won’t have to wait for six months anymore. Perhaps, three. I feel my excitement growing. It is all I have ever really wished for—I’m a woman of pretty simple dreams. Own a bakery, fall in love, and get married to my Prince Charming—we could do without the castle and entourage, not that I would mind—and have four children. Two girls who will take after me, and two boys who will take after their father. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in that order, but yeah. That’s typical Amber. “He’s hot,” Lily coos, eyes wide with awe as she stares at the TV. I roll my eyes and turn to look at what’s got her so hooked. The paparazzi are wild, taking photos of a man in a navy blue suit as he alights from his limousine. The female reporter speaks not too far from the scene; I find it hard to hear her over the screaming and roar of the crowd behind her. “After years of hard work and dedication, the heir of Infinity Groups is finally stepping up to take over the reins from his father, Julian Holden, who has recently resigned, passing on the mantle to his heir.” The woman pauses and points at the moving figure, whose path is being cleared by various bodyguards in suits. “I had no idea Julian Holden has a son,” Lily says. The camera suddenly zooms in on the Infinity heir's face as the reporter says, “Ryan Holden, new CEO of Infinity Groups.” My world tilts and collapses I can’t breathe. It’s Ryan. The contrast between the image of him on TV, all composed and professional, and the memory of his hands and lips on my skin; his roar as he came; and his broken plea that I touch him and hold him is too much to process. I stagger back from the counter, dragging an empty tray in the process. It crashes into the ground violently. “Hey, Amber, are you alright?” I want to tell Lily that I am fine, but I can’t form words right now. I can’t seem to function. My lips part to speak but a small cry escapes me instead. Shock. I am in shock. I slept with a billionaire. Not just any billionaire, the heir of one of the biggest companies in North America. I am escaping the counter area when the reporter speaks again. “Ushering him into his new role is his brother, Jasper Holden.” Something prompts me to turn around and look at the TV again, and when I do, my legs can’t hold me up anymore. I grip the nearest table for support, lest I fall, ignoring the confused looks the occupants of the table are giving me. They can’t possibly understand what I feel in this moment. I finally know my ex-boyfriend’s real name. Not Steve. Not Grant. It would seem he lied to me and the woman he banged, because he is currently smiling on TV and clapping a hand on Ryan’s shoulder while Ryan smiles fondly back at him. You must have guessed why. He is Jasper Holden. Ryan’s brother. I slept with my ex’s brother.