Reforming The Heartbreaker: Prequel (Hollywood Heartbreaker #0.5) Read online

  Her pulse slowed to a sluggish dull thud in her ears, and spots flashed in her vision. She’d thought being called Fattie Addie behind her back had been humiliating, but it paled in comparison to Ryder accusing her of being a heartless bitch.

  Where was the man who had held her when she’d been at her most vulnerable? Where was the man who had understood her deepest fears, and had shared a profound part of his own life? Where was the man who had confessed his love to her?

  She pressed her palm onto her aching chest. Somehow she had to reach him. Otherwise, she’d have to do the hardest thing she’d ever done. “Yesterday, you asked me to give you everything,” she said with a strength she didn’t realize she possessed and despite the pain scraping down her throat. “I did. And because I did, I won’t squash the one thing that will save your stubborn hide.”

  Ryder crossed his arms. “I’m an idiot for trusting you, but that ends today. Kill the campaign, or I’ll sue Carrington Agency for breach of contract.”

  A vein pulsed in his temple and lines bracketing his lips brooked no argument. The threat stung, but no way would she let him see her flinch. “You’ll lose.” She channeled a little of her own inner steel and squared her shoulders. “I’ve done my due diligence, and the interview Eric’s giving on Tuesday will prove Carrington Agency did exactly what you hired us to do.”

  “I thought you weren’t an Ice Queen. That you were still the same, sweet person beneath your tough PR agent facade.” Ryder shook his head. “No wonder you found a way to force Eric to do an interview that’ll drag his family through the mud.”

  She should have told him about her carefully laid out plans before today, but Eric had asked her to keep the interview on Tuesday in the dark until he could explain what had happened to his children this weekend. Her desire to protect two little boys while giving Eric a way to find closure and move on to live the life he deserved had warred with wanting to tell Ryder the truth. Then when she’d tried to explain, he’d stopped her with his kisses and sweet seduction.

  “Eric needed time to break the news to his sons.”

  “He wouldn’t have needed to break anything at all if you’d kept your promise.”

  “You’re jumping to conclusions about my actions, and I refuse to justify them to you.” Her heart might shatter if he refused to listen. Please let him realize she’d never do anything to hurt him. “I fell in love with a man of honor. Someone who claimed he loved me. But if you really loved me, then you wouldn’t doubt my motives. Without trust, we have nothing to keep us together but a business relationship.”

  “Business is all you care about.”

  His voice was devoid of emotion, and his face had transformed into an unreadable mask. Pain lanced deep and cut her to core for the man who refused to let anyone truly inside. “A long time ago, someone had enough faith in you to give you a second chance.” Addison remained rooted to the hardwood floor. “Now you have to believe I have that same faith in you. Everything I’ve done is to show you that you’re worth saving. But nothing I’ve done will matter if you don’t ever learn to believe it yourself.”

  Chapter 11

  The climb up the fifteen-mile mountain trail’s loop had been designed to deliver Ryder an unsparing body blow. He didn’t give a shit. Sweat drenched his back, making his shirt cling to him and his feet had been waterlogged by the endless stream crossings. He still didn’t give a shit. He only cared about blocking out the frustration, anger, and pain of Addison’s betrayal.

  But, as he cranked to the end of his ride, the Sierra Nevada wind lashing his skin without mercy, he tasted bitter defeat. Nothing had worked. Not getting out of Los Angeles with his assistant coach. Not escaping to his mountain retreat in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Not driving himself to train day in and day out—pushing the envelope harder than he’d ever pushed.

  He failed miserably at obliterating Addison from his brain. And the hole in his chest had gotten bigger since he’d left her home in Los Angeles three days ago.

  However, he had succeeded in shutting down all contact with the outside world other than checking his text messages. His home came into view, and Ryder cruised his bike toward the two-story log cabin that overlooked the pristine lake. The Sierra Nevada’s snow capped mountains reflected in the clear water, but the crisp air and stellar vista didn’t lift his crap mood.

  Ever since he’d packed his stuff and taken off for the mountains, his life had taken on a gray shade.

  He missed her. Damn it all to hell. He missed the woman he thought he’d fallen in love with, not the Ice Queen who cared about the fucking bottom line.

  A shower, brainless gaming on his computer, and mentally rehearsing for his next qualifier for the Olympics would take his mind off her. Thank God his assistant coach had given Ryder space, choosing to hole up in the guest suite above the four car garage.

  That suited Ryder as he had no desire for human contact.

  He stowed his gear in the garage, then toweled off the worst of the grime while trekking to his kitchen. Grabbing a water bottle from his fridge, he heard his cell phone buzz on the granite counter behind him and turned to check his message.

  Eric. He’d texted his friend to apologize for the hell Addison had asked him to face before the interview aired this morning.

  You catch the show?

  Hell no. The last thing he wanted to see was his friend get grilled by the most aggressive talk show host in Los Angeles. Promise I’ll make it up to you.

  Nothing to make up. It’s cool. Check out the recap on YouTube. Your girlfriend is amazing.

  She’s not my girlfriend.

  The annoying wait-for-text bubbles appeared, then disappeared, then reappeared. Finally, Eric responded. Then you’re a bigger idiot than I thought.

  What the fuck? You don’t have to defend her.

  Watch the damn interview. TTYL

  He chugged his water, then crunched the bottle and tossed it into his recycling bin. He didn’t want to see the fucking interview, but Eric didn’t seem pissed about it, which surprised the crap out of Ryder.

  Addison had asked him to trust her motives. But how could she possibly spin this right for Eric and his family? Only one way to find out. He ignored the dirt still remaining on his skin and pulled YouTube up on his phone.

  Thirty minutes later, Ryder swallowed hard. Addison had orchestrated a PR miracle. For Eric. For his kids. And for Ryder. Idiot didn’t even begin to describe Ryder. He’d fucked up royally in the worst way. Even worse, he’d accused the woman he loved of having the heart of a barracuda when in reality she had one of the most compassionate hearts he’d ever known.

  Another text flashed. Rayne. He read the message and his throat closed around the lump that had formed during the last half an hour. The man who had taught him how to be a man, who had given him a way to succeed beyond Ryder’s wildest dreams, had approached the end of his formidable life.

  He’d given Ryder a second chance because he’d had faith in him.

  Addison had said the same thing. She’d wanted him to realize he was worthy of saving. And because she believed in him, and loved him, Addison had simply asked him to believe it of himself. But that meant trusting her 100 percent and he’d never been the trusting kind. He’d rather fix his mistakes himself than admit he needed anyone.

  Water, sweat, and fucking tears burned behind his eyes. He swiped them away and cursed himself for being the worst kind of fool ever.

  He’d asked her to give him everything. She had.

  All she’d wanted was for him to do the same.

  Christ. He’d pushed away the only woman he loved. Stubborn, willful pride had blinded him to the gift she’d offered. He’d screwed up, but maybe, just maybe, he could convince her he was worth redeeming.

  He had to prove she deserved a man who could make her forget her broken heart. Even if the man responsible was him. And if she could forgive him one more time, he’d spend the rest of his life showing her he’d been worth one last chance.


  * * *

  Standing beside her father, Addison raised her binoculars to her eyes and searched the last stretch of the racetrack for Ryder. Six cyclists riding tire-to-tire vied for the top spot, shimmying around each other and between the pine trees. She spotted Ryder swerving dangerously close to the edge as he made a move to attack for the lead position. The force of his concentration and commitment to his sport, to winning, would never cease to stagger her. Her heart caught in her throat. He was, in a word, beautiful. The most amazing, generous hearted man she’d ever known. He put the needs of others before his own and now he was poised to reclaim Olympic gold.

  Cowbells rang, and sirens wailed while people all around her screamed his name as he surged ahead of the other athletes. “Get closer to the finish line,” she said to her live action crew. “I want footage of Ryder crossing.”

  “We’ll want the usual. Victory walk, fans crawling for selfies, and accepting his trophy,” her father added.

  “I’ve got this, Dad.”

  “Sorry.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Old habits die hard.”

  She smiled. Her father had finally retired and given her full control of their family’s company, but letting go of the reins would be an interesting transition. “I’m glad you’re here,” Addison said, meaning it. She’d been semi dreading coming to the qualifying race. Not sure if she could handle seeing Ryder after all that had happened between them.

  But her father had called and asked to join her for their company’s major victory lap with their star client. “I figured you could use a friendly face,” he said. “Be proud of what you’ve accomplished, Addison. Your PR coup did more than salvage Ryder’s reputation. Elite athletes are lining up for Carrington Agency to represent them.”

  Her final assault on the negative press attacking Ryder had exonerated him and solidified his positive, good guy image. Eric’s interview about Ryder’s desire to protect the Langston family had shown the public their athletic idol had a heart so big, so honorable, no one would ever question his integrity again. “I am. But then I learned from the best in the business.”

  She had accomplished she had dreamed of attaining. Her father’s respect and admiration, and the helm of her agency, but she’d lost the one thing that mattered most. Ryder.

  Still, she’d have done it all over again even though her heart ached. No matter what, she couldn’t go back to the person she’d been before Ryder had become her number one client.

  The whistling, cheers and yells accelerated and then the rush of man and machine sailed through the goal posts.

  “Follow him.” She broke free from her father, and ran after the bike with her crew. “Close ups. Action shots. Get it all. We want to build on the momentum we’ve created.”

  She chased Ryder with her PR team, pushing through the throng of fans. Ryder swerved his bike hard to the left, came to his signature stop and raised his fist in the air. And smiled his trademark grin. One with a guaranteed-to-please sticker on it, which had garnered millions of dollars in sponsorships.

  He dismounted his bike, gave it to one of his coaches, and started walking through the crowd. She expected him to sign autographs for his younger fans and snap pictures with the dozens of Bettys following him from race to race. Instead, he continued without breaking stride.

  “What’s he doing? He can’t do this.” Her heart thudded. Why would he blow this opportunity now that he had exactly what he wanted, too?

  She shot her dad a confused look. He shrugged and seemed completely unfazed by the current Ryder turn of events.

  The crew moved into a semi circle around her as Ryder approached. He removed his helmet and took the wraparound sunglasses off his dirt streaked, handsome face. The crowd seemed to take a collective sigh, and the cowbells stopped clanging when he finally reached her.

  His eyes—as blue as the brilliant summer sky overhead and filled with so much yearning that her heart ached—locked onto hers. “You aren’t following the script,” she said, wanting to reach for him, but stilling her desire with a stern reminder he’d hurt her one time too many during her lifetime.

  “Sometimes we have to go off script for the greater good.” Ryder tilted his head toward the camera person to her right. “You rolling this live? I don’t want the world to miss one minute.”

  She nodded. “Absolutely. Per your instructions.”

  “Instructions?” Addison’s knees wobbled. “Who gave you permission to hijack my staff?”

  “Your father. It was part of my negotiations for the contract.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I wanted everyone to see me go for a better prize than a trophy or a gold medal.” He brushed a tendril of her hair from her face, and tucked it behind her ear. “Addison, I shouldn’t have questioned you. I screwed up royally when I didn’t trust you to have my back.”

  The genuine remorse in his voice sent a wave of warmth throughout her body. “Yes, you did, but you’ve got a reputation for being bull-headed.”

  A muscle twitched in his jaw. “I’ll need a lot of help beating that rap,” he said.

  “You’ve hired the best agency in the country to help you.”

  “True.” Ryder closed the scant distance between them and slid his broad hands down her arms until he linked them with hers. “But I’m not sure I can keep on racing if I don’t win the most important thing in the world to me.”

  “You’ll ace the Olympics.”

  “I’m not talking about gold medals and trophies.” He swallowed hard and tightened his hold. “You’re my finish line. Without you, nothing else matters. You’re the one I want to wake up next to in the morning. You’re the one I want to share my life with now and tomorrow and forever. You’re my last chance, my only chance.”

  Tears pricked behind her eyes and her nose itched. He’d taken a big risk by putting himself out there publicly—all of his hopes and wishes for them. Without any guarantee she’d yield. “I want to believe you, but…”

  Fear flashed for a second in his gaze. “Please, Addison. Forgive me one more time.” He dropped to his knees, then unzipped one of his jersey pockets, and withdrew a ring. “You have to believe me. You gave me everything when you gave me your heart. I screwed up, but I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you.”

  Her pulse accelerated into hyper drive, and the tears she had banked rolled down her cheeks. He’d proposed in front of a live audience, his fans, and all his adoring Bettys. No one had ever gone to such great lengths for her. And she knew no one else ever would. “Ryder,” she said. “I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  Someone laughed, and a few people started clapping. Around her, the crew grinned, and when her gaze landed on her father’s, his paternal love shined in his eyes.

  “Yes.”

  He slipped the sparkling diamond onto her trembling ring finger, then stood and pulled her into his arms. “I love you,” Ryder said, then he lowered his mouth onto hers and brought her back to the place where her heart had always belonged.

  Acknowledgments

  Critique partners extraordinaire! Carmen Falcone and Pam Mantovani!! Thanks for always having my back, and making me laugh. To my wonderful readers—especially the fabulous Passionettes! Special shout out to Monique Doust, Maria Rose, and Delene Yochum for reading this novella before it went to print. I’m so grateful for your insight. Heidi Scribner and Petra Engle! I’m honored to call you sisters of my heart. Mallory and Chuck! We’ve had a crazy ride since I sold my first book, but you’ve stayed the course. I love you both oodles and boodles.

  Also by Christine Glover

  The Movie Star’s Red Hot Holiday Fling: Sweetbriar Springs’ Book 1

  The Maverick’s Red Hot Reunion: Sweetbriar Springs’ Book 2

  The Marine’s Red Hot Homecoming: Sweetbriar Springs’ Book 3

  The Tycoon’s Red Hot Marriage Merger

  Coming Soon in 2017!

>   The Marriage Ultimatum

  Hollywood Heartbreakers’ Series

  Tempting the Heartbreaker: Hollywood Heartbreakers Book 1

  Seducing the Heartbreaker: Hollywood Heartbreakers Book 2

  Resisting the Heartbreaker: Hollywood Heartbreakers Book 3

  About the Author

  Christine Glover is the author of tantalizing, sensual, emotional contemporary romances. She enjoys finding the silly in the serious, making wine out of sour grapes, and giving people giggle fits along with heartfelt hugs. When she’s not writing, you can find her traveling the world, cooking gourmet food, and desperately seeking a corkscrew.

  If you enjoyed this book and would like to leave an honest review, Christine would really appreciate it because that’s how other readers discover their new Happily Ever Afters.

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