“No!”
He quirks a brow. “You don’t want to go home?”
“I meant don’t pay the bill. I’ll pay for my share.”
Amusement flickers across his face and he jerks his chin in the direction of the bathroom. “Go. I’ll get this one.”
I place a hand on my hip and attempt a stern glare. “No, you won’t. I’m a woman who can pay my way.”
The amusement on his face gives way to a full grin and oh, how I love that grin. I want to kiss that grin right off his face. Oh, shit… no, I don’t. Oh, but I do…. Damn you alcohol for making me want things I don’t want. He moves his face closer and murmurs low, “I know you’re a woman who can pay her way, but you’re also the sexiest damn woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating with and this is going to be the first of many meals I pay for.”
When he moves his face away from mine and gives me a look that says ‘Don’t argue with me’, I do what I’ve been told. Even my addled brain can figure out it’s not worth arguing with him over this. I’m beginning to grasp that Ashton is a man who gets his way often and if we’re going to keep doing this dance together, I’ll need to choose my battles wisely.
10
Ashton
I settle into the driver seat of my Aston Martin and glance at Lorelei sitting next to me. She consumed a lot of wine at lunch and is pretty messy now. Unfortunately, it means we’re going to have to cut this date short so I can take her home. A shame because we were finally getting somewhere. I’m hoping it wasn’t just the alcohol that loosened her up.
She meets my gaze and smiles. “Thank
you for driving me home.” Her words are a little slurred.
“I would hardly leave you to catch public transport alone.” She informed me that while she can drive, she prefers public transport or cabs. I wouldn’t have left her here sober, let alone drunk.
Her head lolls back against the headrest and she continues to smile. I’m fairly sure I could say anything at the moment and she’d give me that drunken smile. Lorelei is a happy drunk.
I turn the key, but before we exit the carpark, my phone rings.
Jack.
“What’s up?” I ask as I answer it.
“Assshhhton.” He’s drunk, too. I hear the sounds of a noisy pub in the background. “I need a lift. You far?”
I lean my head back. “That depends on which pub you’re at, Jack.”
“Oh, is it that one… No, it is that one near your office,” he says, laughing at his own mix up with his words.
I check my watch. “I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes, depending on traffic. Try to stay away from the alcohol.”
“Yes, boss.” He’s still laughing, clearly amused at himself.
“We have to make a slight detour,” I say to Lorelei after I end the call.
She shrugs. “I don’t have anywhere to be.”
We drive in silence for most of the way to the pub. Lorelei seems content to stare out the window, taking in the busy Sydney streets. My mind has wandered to Jack, concerned at his mental state.
“Who are you picking up?” Lorelei asks.
I glance at her. She’s still watching me with that beautiful smile. “My best friend, Jack. He’s in town for a visit and by the sound of it, he’s spent a fair bit of time today at the pub.”
Her eyes narrow at me. “You sound disappointed by that.”
I grip the steering wheel tighter. “I am.”
“Because?”