I finish my drink and head into my bedroom to take a shower. The class ran over tonight and it’s now past seven thirty. I’ve got a stack of work to get through, and the fact I’m home late and tired doesn’t give me confidence that I’ll get it all done.
A knock on my front door slows me as I trudge into the bedroom. I wouldn’t answer it except for the fact I told my neighbour she could bother me for help anytime. She’s a single mum of two rowdy boys and I figure she needs all the help she can get.
Swinging the door open, I’m surprised, as well as annoyed, to find Ashton standing on the other side. I don’t know why I’m surprised, though. I should have expected it. He is playing offence after all.
“Ashton, it’s late and I’ve got work to do.”
The determination in his eyes softens a little and concern flashes across his face. “It’s not late, Lorelei.” With that, he enters my home and leads me into my lounge room before I manage to stop him.
I pull
out of his hold. “Do you do this with everyone in your life?”
“No.”
The way he watches me with such intensity as he answers my question, along with the answer he gives me, unleashes a wave of desire I don’t want to deal with.
When I don’t reply, he takes charge again, settling me on the couch. “Have you had dinner?”
Oh, God. I realise how I must look after my spin class. I didn’t even wear my good gym clothes today because they were all in the wash. Looking down at my old T-shirt and tights, I cringe. “No, but I’m not hungry.” Pushing up off the couch, I say, “You need to go so I can have a shower and get my work done.”
“No, I’ll order dinner while you have a shower.”
“Ashton—”
“Lorelei,” he bosses, “shower, now. We’ll talk after.”
I stare at him. And I just know he’s not going anywhere.
I huff out a breath. “Fine.” I wave my finger in the air at him. “But make sure you order me something good. And a cupcake. If I have to deal with you tonight, I want a bloody cupcake.” With that, I stalk into my bedroom without waiting for his reply.
Bloody infuriating man.
* * *
After my shower, I find Ashton engrossed on his phone at my kitchen table. When he hears me enter the room, his gaze sweeps slowly up my body before settling on my face. Jesus, the man has perfected the art of sending a woman from zero to one hundred in one second flat. By the time he finds my eyes, my body is panting. Well, it would be if it could.
“Dinner is on its way. As is your cupcake.”
I feel a tinge of guilt about my irrational request for that cupcake. But damn, he listened and ordered me one. “Thank you.” I join him at the table. “So, what did you want to discuss with me?”
“That can wait. We’ll go over it while we eat. Tell me about your day first.”
I raise my brows. “You really want me to detail my day for you?”
His lips twitch. “I do.”
I cross my legs on the chair, getting comfortable. “Well, let me see…. It started off with a bang this morning when the guy I said no to last night forced his way into a business deal that had nothing to do with him. Then I discovered my building had been vandalised. Again. And after that, I found out the council is looking into noise complaints at that address. So I’ve had a pretty craptacular day really.”
“Let’s start at the beginning. You have to admit I bring a lot to the table with that deal.”
I don’t want to admit he’s right, but it’s the truth, so I begrudgingly give him that one. Sighing, I nod. “You do. But seriously, you managed to get someone to back out at the last minute just so you could spend time with me?”
That intense look returns to his eyes. “I did. And I’d do it again, and will do it again if I need to.”
I’m not sure whether to yell at him to stop or to simply give in now. Our dinner arrives, saving me, and I take a moment to pull myself together when he leaves to answer the door.
Surely he’ll give up soon. He must have hundreds of women who’d happily go out with him. He doesn’t need me.