Ashton Scott

I stare at him for a beat, trying to decide whether I want to hurt him with a truth I don’t think he’s considered. I decide the truth is always the best course of action. “There are all kinds of love, Boston, and I’m not sure ours was the soulmate kind. Don’t get me wrong, I loved you—I still do—but I don’t think it’s the kind you want it to be.”

He stiffens. When he doesn’t respond to that straight away, I figure maybe he’s finally taking it in. But then he says, “That’s bullshit, and you know it. That’s you running from this because you’re scared. And Ashton is simply your safe place because you know he’ll never ask for what I’m asking for. I’ll give you the space to figure this out, but I won’t walk away. Not again.”

My heart beats rapidly as I watch him leave.

Shit.

I don’t think I fixed anything today. I think I just made it a whole lot more complicated.

34

Ashton

Lorelei’s beauty never fails to catch my breath. When I asked her earlier today if she could attend a party with me tonight, giving her only a few hours’ notice, she said yes, but she seemed a little panicked about finding a dress and getting ready on time. I told her it didn’t matter if we were late, but in the end, she managed to pull it all off with time to spare. She also managed to pull it off looking more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her.

Watching her mingle with party guests, I take the opportunity to admire the strapless red dress she’s wearing. It hugs every inch of her, ending just above her knees. There’s nothing flashy about the dress, but Lorelei doesn’t need flash to draw every eye in the room. She manages that all on her own.

Smiling at me as the couple we’ve been talking to leave us, she cups my cheek and says, “You look deep in thought. What are you thinking?”

I slide my arm around her waist and pull her close. “I was thinking about how much I love this dress on you. And how I’m not sure we’ll be staying long at this party.”

She moves her hand from my cheek to the back of my neck. Threading her fingers through my hair, she says, “Do you know how much my body aches after you had your way with it last night? I’m not sure I’m up for another round tonight.”

I did fuck her hard last night. Sex is one area of a relationship where I never relinquish control, and after our conversation where I admitted the power she holds over me, I’d needed to be back in control again, so I’d used sex to do that. A tinge of guilt hits me, though, that I may have demanded too much from her. And yet, it won’t stop me from pushing her for more tonight.

I bend my face to hers, and my lips brush her ear as I say, “Do you know how much I’ve been thinking about my face in your pussy? Tonight is happening, Lorelei.”

She grips my hair as her breath catches. Before she can respond, we’re interrupted by Aaron Steele. He’s the reason I’m here tonight, so I allow the interruption.

“Good to see you, Ashton,” he says, giving me a second of his attention before shifting his gaze to Lorelei. “And who’s the lovely lady you’re here with?”

Lorelei’s body stiffens, and I don’t miss the brief flare of irritation in her eyes as she takes him in. Figuring she’ll introduce herself, I don’t answer his question. Extending her hand, she says, “Lorelei Winters.”

That’s my girl.

I curb the grin that wants to spread across my face. Steele is the kind of man who thinks women should be seen but not heard. I haven’t mentioned him to Lorelei, but I’m guessing, by her reaction that his reputation precedes him.

Steele shakes her hand. “Aaron Steele.” Turning to me, he says, “We need to talk.”

Lorelei lets me go and says, “I’ll be back.”

I nod and watch her as she makes her way towards a woman who she greets with a hug. Steele draws my attention back to him when he says, “Cassia’s here tonight.”

Jesus, even more of a reason to leave as soon as possible. Engaging in conversation with my ex is the last thing I want to be doing tonight.

I ignore what he said. “What did you need to discuss?”

His brows lift. “I’m surprised, Ashton. I never did understand why you let her go. Cassia Brampton would make the perfect wife for you with her family connections and ability to fit in and know her place in business.”

I don’t like the tone of this conversation. “If I wanted a woman who knew her place in anything, I could find that anywhere, Steele. I’m not in the market for that kind of woman. Actually, I’m not in the market for a woman full stop. I already have one. And I didn’t come here to discuss my relationships with you.”

“You’re serious about Lorelei?” His tone is incredulous, and my displeasure with this conversation intensifies.

I don’t want to discuss Lorelei with him, but I feel the need to set him straight. “I’m deadly serious about Lorelei, and I’ll ask you not to bring this topic up again. The only thing between you and me is a business deal. I have no interest in explaining my life decisions to you.” Aaron Steele is a brilliant businessman, but he’s on his third marriage and is well known for being an ass to women. He’s not the kind of man I’d ever pursue a friendship with.

Distaste clouds his face. “This will be the last I’ll mention it. I think you’re a fool for walking away from Cassia and an even bigger fool for choosing a woman like Lorelei. What does she contribute to your life? What do her family connections offer you? A smart man would think about those things when it comes to choosing a wife. By all means, keep her on the side, but never make her more than that.”

If Steele wasn’t absolutely necessary for a deal to go through that I need to go through, I would walk away from him and never look back. Instead, I force my anger away and say, “Now that you got that off your chest, let’s get back to business.”