“God, this all sounds awful. I don’t think I need a plan. Ashton and I are good.”
“It’s not Ashton I’m worried about. Cassia Brampton has a reputation. She is not a woman you want to be ill-prepared for.”
I take a bite of one of the cupcakes. A huge freaking bite because I need it. I’m starting to feel even more anxious about Cassia than I was this morning. I’ve spent the day talking myself around on this issue, but now that’s all flying out the window.
Sienna takes note of my actions and says, “Okay, you sit and eat cake while I make coffee.”
I do as she says. “Make mine strong. I think I’m gonna need it.”
We then spend a good hour making a plan for how I’m going to deal with Cassia after I tell Sienna how rude the woman was to me this morning. Mostly the plan involves me remaining confident and not allowing her to make me doubt my relationship with Ashton.
“I’m gonna be there every step of the way cheering you on until she’s out of the picture,” Sienna says.
I smile at her. “You’re always there cheering me on.”
“Yeah, but this is going to be so much more. If Cassia Brampton thinks she can waltz back in and mess with my bestie, she’s dreaming.” The alarm on her phone sounds, and she slides off her stool while reaching for her bag. “Babe, I’ve gotta go. That hot neighbour dude of mine is taking me out for a drink tonight, and that was my cue to leave so I’m ready on time.” She slows for a moment. “Are you okay with all this? Or should I cancel my plans so I can stay with you?”
I shoo her with my hands. “I love you, but you can be a drama queen when it comes to this stuff. Consider me prepped for Cassia. You go and make that man fall for you.”
She grins mischievously. “Oh, he has already fallen for me. That happened when I rescued his dog from imminent death. I saved her from escaping our building and then we spent the next couple of hours swapping life stories. Tonight is our first real date, though, so I need to get myself ready for him.”
“Hot neighbour dude has a dog?” Sienna loves dogs. Her last guy hated them, so it was a match made in hell.
A dreamy smile spreads across her face. “Hot neighbour dude’s name is Nathan, and yes he does. And can I just say that watching a man love a dog is pure bliss.”
“Okay, go get ready. I’m going to spend the night catching up on paperwork and tax.”
She pulls a face. “Oh God, that sounds like the worst night ever. Is Ashton still at the hospital?”
I walk her to the door. “I think so. He called a couple of hours ago and said he’d be there for a while and that he may not see me tonight. I was going to head back to the hospital after I finished work, but the doctors wanted only family today.”
“I hope his mum is okay,” she says as she exits my apartment. Her eyes light up as she adds, “I’ll text later to let you know how my date goes.”
I laugh. “Something tells me you won’t have time to text.”
“I can always fit in a quick, sneaky text to you.”
With one last grin, she leaves me to head towards the lift. I smile as I watch her go, thinking about how good it is to see her this happy. I’m about to shut my apartment door and go find the paperwork waiting for me when the lift doors open and Ashton steps out.
His eyes meet mine after he speaks briefly with Sienna. They’re dark tonight. And they watch me with intensity as he strides towards me that curls hunger through me.
God, how I want this man.
In every way I can have him.
“Ashton,” I murmur when he reaches me. A shiver runs through my body when his fingers meet the skin on my arm. No man has ever affected me the way he does. “I thought you’d be at the hospital for most of the night.”
He lightly runs his fingers along my forearm before wrapping his hand around it and pulling me to him. Bending his face to mine, he kisses me. It’s not a quick kiss to greet me, but rather a deep one that reveals his hunger for me. He takes his time with it, slowly backing me up against the door. By the time he’s finished, his hands are cupping my ass and his erection is pressed firmly against me. And I am thoroughly turned on and out-of-my-mind crazy for him.
“I missed you this afternoon,” he says, his voice husky with desire. His hands move from my ass, and he slides his fingers through my hair and angles my face up so our gazes meet. The raw need I find in his eyes intensifies my own desire. “I need to be inside you, Lorelei.”
I grip his arm. “How’s your mum?” I want what he wants, but I manage to sort through my lust-filled thoughts to find this question. It’s important. I want to know that she’s okay.
“She’s good.”
His answer is sharp and to the point, and his actions make it clear he doesn’t want to discuss this any further, because as soon as the words leave his mouth, he lifts me and carries me inside to my couch.
Depositing me there, he keeps his eyes firmly on mine as he loosens his tie. He wore his suit to the hospital this morning, and even though he’s been in it all day, he still looks immaculate. The only thing giving away the fact he’s dealing with some heavy family stuff is the tiredness in his eyes.