Aria's POV
I looked at Ryder across the table, turning his words over in my mind.
Then I leaned back in my chair. "If you want something from me, then it's only fair that I ask for something in return."
He raised an eyebrow. "And what do you want?"
I held his gaze before giving him a vague explanation about Claudia. I told him she had someone pulling her strings, the same person who had used a hacker to steal my work from the Award Committee.
"If you promise to help me bring down Claudia and the person behind her, then in return..." I let the words hang for a moment, watching his expression. "You'll get the kiss you've been angling for."
His eyebrows shot up.
Then he burst into laughter. When he finally managed to compose himself, he wiped the corner of one eye and looked at me with
