“Why would I be at your place?”
“Not to completely spoil the evening, but I was hoping to get you back to my place after dinner,” he said.
“So, you still want to take me to dinner.”
She watched Ash’s face morph, but she wasn’t sure why. It was a mixture of shock and pain before something else flew across his face. It was too quick to catch and it disappeared in a flash, but he strode toward her and wrapped her up in his arm before their eyes connected. His embrace was strong, but his touch was tender. Gentle. Sweet. Kallie closed her eyes as she felt Ash’s nose nuzzle hers, and her hands planted into his chest. To keep some semblance of strength as her head continued to swirl.
“Of course I still want to take you to dinner,” Ash said.
“Then we need to talk about something.”
“Don’t tell me there’s another article.”
She swatted his chest before she looked up into his eyes.
“You can’t decide when to trust me and when not to,” she said. “It doesn't work that way. You have to take a side, and if we’re going to work, then it has to be my side. You have to trust that I won’t cheat on you. That I’m not capable of it. I’m not going to hurt you, Ash. Not you. Never you.”
Her hands went to straightening his tie as he looked down upon her with his intense gaze.
“I’m not that kind of girl,” she said. “And you have to believe that.”
She tightened his tie and smiled, then felt Ash tilt her gaze back up to his. He kissed the tip of her nose and the action made her weak in the knees, but she was determined to keep upright. She had to keep some modicum of control. Some modicum of decency. She wouldn't allow herself to turn into one of those flippant women who fell at the feet of rich, handsome men simply because they knew how to press her buttons.
But it was hard with Ash.
Loving him made her weak for him.
“I promise I’ll do better,” Ash said.
“That’s all I’m asking,” Kallie said.
“I have to admit, though. I’m not familiar with relationships and jealousy. This is new territory for me.”
“Understandable.”
“But you’re special, Kallie. And you’re worth the journey if it means I get you in the end.”
His words warmed her inside. She felt a smile cross her face and she reached up to kiss him one last time. She pulled him in for a hug and the two of them stood there, momentarily forgetting about the assault the tabloids were probably enacting. She had no idea what they were going to do about it, but she knew the two of them could work through it. She felt strong with Ash. Stronger than she had in a long time. And she had faith that the two of them could get through this shit.
“I should get back to work,” Ash said.
“Now look who’s using work as an excuse. And nonexistent work at that,” Kallie said with a grin.
“Was work an excuse to get away from me this morning?”
“It depends. Is yours an excuse to get away from me now?”
“Never. But I am picking up this pretty hot woman for dinner, and I don’t want to be late.”
“Well don’t get caught kissing her,” she said with a smile. “The tabloids will rip you in two.”
Kallie stepped back from Ash and she saw the smile on his face. The lighthearted smile that pulled her in to begin with. He shook his head as he walked for the door, his hand falling to the doorknob. Part of her didn’t want to let him go. Didn’t want him to walk out and leave her here by herself. But now that dinner was back on, she also had things she wanted to accomplish.
Especially if she was going to have a late start in the morning.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” Ash said.
“Was there a question to be answered?” Kallie asked.
“I rudely assumed you were coming to my place this evening.”
“Oh. Right. How rude.”
“So, the question is: your place or mine tonight?” he asked.
“Funny, I thought the guy was supposed to buy the girl dinner first.”
“He’s technically supposed to do that before he tears her office apart as well. But I think we skipped a few rungs with that one, don’t you think?”