Ashton Scott

I bite the inside of my lip, still flustered. “Do you organise all your dates like this?”

A flicker of amusement touches his expression. “If you’re asking whether I knock on a woman’s door and tell her what time I’ll pick her up, the answer would be no. I usually just phone or have my assistant send flowers to organise dinner.” He pauses for a moment. “I also usually give women the opportunity to say no.”

His meaning is not lost on me and my breathing slows. “Oh.” Again, lost for freaking words.

He takes a step closer to me and drops his gaze to my mouth. “Do you like Italian?” He drags his eyes from my lips after he asks this. The heat I see there causes my knees to weaken. I can’t recall the last time a man looked at me the way he is. In fact, I’m not sure a man has ever watched me like Ashton does.

“Yes, it’s one of my favourites. But we’ll have to make it seven thirty.”

He continues to watch me with the intensity that causes my pulse to quicken. “I’ll see you at seven thirty.”

As he’s leaving, I call out, “I’m good with a guy calling to organise a date. Just so you know.”

He halts and looks back at me. “I’m not. I can’t see you over the phone.”

And then he’s gone.

And I’m standing here more confused by my own reactions than ever.

12

Ashton

I exit my car as I reach into my pocket to grab my ringing phone out. Placing it to my ear, I say, “Alessandra. What’s up?”

“I’m just calling to let you know Bradley left his coat at your place today. Malcolm will drop by tomorrow morning to collect it because Bradley’s being a pain about wanting it back.”

“I’ll leave it with Roberta.”

“I’ll get Malcolm to bring her some fudge. Your housekeeper is one of the only people alive who loves my fudge.”

“Why are you cooking?”

She groans. “School bake sale. Bane of my fucking existence.”

I enter Lorelei’s complex and jab the button for the lift. The fact I can enter her apartment complex without any issues concerns me. The front door is secured with a keypad, but the door is never fully closed. I make a note to mention it to her.

“Bradley seemed a little off today.”

“I think he’s getting a cold. He loved hanging out with you and Jack today. So did Sadie.”

I enter the lift and press the number for Lorelei’s floor. “They should come over more often.”

“What are you doing? You seem a little distracted.”

“I’m on a date.” Almost.

“Where’d you meet this one?”

“Fuck, you say that as if I’ve got a different woman every night, Aly.”

“You have to admit you’ve come close.”

“I will admit I’ve dated a lot of women, but not a new one every night.” I step out of the lift and head to Lorelei’s door.

“Well, okay, maybe I’m a little off there. I’d like to see you settle down again. With a good woman. And not someone who only wants you because of who you are.”

I’ve reached my destination. “Goodbye, Alessandra.” I end the call and knock on Lorelei’s door. She doesn’t take long to answer it and I stand,, staring at the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.