Ashton Scott

“For a start, he’s a stubborn, bossy man—”

Her eyes twinkle as a grin forms on her lips. “Which is exactly what you need.”

I take a long sip of my wine. I decided alcohol is definitely needed tonight while we discuss Ashton. Although I haven’t talked to Sienna about him today, I invited her to the bar after work with the intention of going over every little detail with her.

“I’m not so sure that’s exactly what I need, but I have decided I need sex with him again. The man sure knows how to do that.”

“Do you think that’s all he wants?”

“I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure he’s looking for more from me. Before I started to get to know him, I would have told you he was a player and just wanted sex going by what I’d read about him, but he’s going to a lot of effort if all he wants is my body.”

Her grin softens. “Yes, if a man like Ashton just wants sex that would be easy to come by.” She drinks more of her cocktail. “You’re going to ease up on him and play nice, then?”

I scrunch my face at her. “Whose friend are you anyway? I always play nice. Sometimes I just want to play my way rather than someone else’s. And Ashton wants to call all the shots, too, so we do seem to clash a little. I’ll try to compromise, but easing up on him would be bad. I think he’s used to always getting his way, and he needs to learn that if he wants to be with me, that won’t always happen.”

She laughs at that. “Oh, boy, you two…. I’m looking forward to this.”

“Anyway, we’re doing this resort development together, and he’s booked us into a few resorts over the next couple of weekends to check them out. So you and I need to go over my wardrobe.”

“Jesus, does he have a brother? I need a man like Ashton who just takes charge. I’d have no problems with being bossed around and taken to resorts.”

“Lorelei!” A deep voice jolts me out of the conversation with Sienna, and I glance up to find Jack coming our way.

I stand and hug him when he puts his arms out. “How are you, Jack?” He’s been drinking, which sparks my concern. I hardly know him, and yet I’m invested in his health and happiness. I’m not sure how he did it, but he’s managed to draw me in.

Without answering me, he turns to Sienna and pastes a million-dollar smile on his face. I bet that kind of smile is what helped make him famous. That, his talent and his ability to charm. “You must be Lorelei’s friend who I’ve heard so much about.”

Sienna lifts a brow. “Really? Who from?”

He grins. “You got me there, gorgeous. I haven’t heard about you, but that’s an error we need to fix. How about the three of us leave so we can spend some time alone getting to know each other?”

Sienna cocks her head. “You’re propositioning us for a threesome?”

Jack throws his head back and laughs. It’s a genuine, belly laugh and it looks good on him. When he finishes laughing, he says, “Fuck no. You don’t seriously think I’d try to screw my best mate’s woman, do you? And I’d never sleep with her best friend either. I might fuck a lot of shit up in my life, but I’m smart enough to know not to do either of those things. I simply meant let’s have a conversation and get to know each other that way.” He leans closer to her and lowers his voice to add, “I need to get out of here, though, because it’s starting to get busier and I’ve had some fans harassing me.”

“You don’t travel with security?” Sienna asks.

“Usually, but I haven’t bothered with it this trip. I should sort something out.”

I move off my stool. “I’m sure Ashton’s assistant could hook you up.”

His bright expression morphs into a darker one. “Yeah, I don’t think it’s a good idea to ask her for help.”

I frown. “Why not?”

He slides his arm over my shoulders. “Jessica and I aren’t in a great place at the moment. I need to reserve my conversations with her for more important matters.” Glancing at Sienna, he asks, “Now, are you ladies in?”

She nods. “Yes.”

The smile returns to his face as he looks between the two of us. “What’s your name, gorgeous? I’m going to need it if you and I are going to spend time together.”

She gives him her name and he says, “Sienna. Fucking beautiful.”

As the three of us leave the bar, chatting and laughing, I can’t help but notice that Sienna is hangin

g off every word he says. I hope he makes good on his promise not to sleep with her. She doesn’t need Jack complicating her life.

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