Ashton Scott

I move my hand to her ass, hooking a finger under the edge of her bikini bottom. “Aly. She’s going to pick you up from the airport tomorrow.”

A lazy smile fills her tanned face just as the sun hits it. “I know I have to go home, but I don’t want to. I want to live here in the sun with you forever.”

Better words have never been spoken to me before, but I groan because, with every passing second and every word she says, I’m finding it harder not to flip her over and sink myself deep inside her.

I smack her ass. “I’m going to get a drink. You want one?”

She wiggles on top of me. “Am I causing you some pain?”

“Fuck,” I hiss. “If you do that again, your ass is going to get spanked.”

Heat flares in her eyes. “I told you I’m all about that spanking.” At my pained expression, she pushes up off me. “Okay, okay, I’m off. My ass is safe from your hand. And I’ll get drinks. What do you want?”

Jesus. Now all I can think about is my hand on her ass.

“Make it something strong. I’m going to need it,” I mutter.

Her laughter floats through the air as she exits the pool area. Lorelei is no longer the woman who’s shy about sex toys or fucking me in public. She knows exactly how to work me up, and she doesn’t hesitate to play dirty when it suits her. Exactly how I like it.

Jack lifts himself out of the pool and comes to sit on the sunlounger next to me. Drying himself off, he says, “I’m going to miss that woman.”

I eye him. He has some life back in his eyes, which is a relief. He’s taking his medication religiously and doing everything he’s been told to do to get better. I’m under no illusions, though—his recovery is going to take time. He’s having a good day today, but we never know what tomorrow will bring. All we can do is keep on putting one foot in front of the other.

It’s a lesson I’m taking note of, because the process is so far removed from how I’ve always lived my life. I set goals, tackle each step, and achieve what I set out to. And I use sheer force if I have to. But this journey Jack’s on is showing me that sometimes, sheer force isn’t enough. Sometimes, a whole lot of patience and faith is required. I’m also learning that cash can’t fix everything. We need to be surrounded by people as well. And without them, the shit cash can buy means very little.

I glance at him. “You should come home with me when I go. Just for a quick visit, and then we’ll come back here.”

He considers that as he shakes the water out of his hair. “Maybe.”

I didn’t expect such an easy answer, but then again, by tomorrow he may be dead set against the idea. His moods swing daily.

My phone rings, and before I can pick it up, Jack does. “Hello, gorgeous,” he answers it, and I know from his tone it’s Jessica.

They have a quick conversation, after which he hands me the phone and says, “I think I will head back to Sydney with you for a while.”

I take the phone, trying not to think about Jack being in love with Jessica. Placing it to my ear, I say, “How are we travelling with Steele?”

“He signed off on everything. It’s all going ahead. That’s not what I’m calling about, though.”

“Oh?”

“Sian has more Willow Street properties for you to purchase. I’ve emailed the info, so when you get a chance to look at it, let me know if it all looks good and I’ll make it happen.”

“Is that all of them, then?”

“Almost

. Just three more after these.”

“Good.”

“That’s the best you’ve got? This was a fucking nightmare to put together. I’m looking for a little more than good.”

“Once we have all those properties, you’ll get free coffee for life from Francesca. I’ll see to it.” Francesca’s coffee has become her favourite.

“Where most assistant’s get a bonus, I get free coffee. Go me.”

“Goodbye, Jessica.”