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“I’m sorry, Mr. Macklen. Your two o’clock is here,” Rose said through the door.
“That’s fine. Thank you, Rose.” I glanced back at Ashlyn, who was calmly picking up our salads. I followed her to the door, trying to ignore the fact that she looked even more gorgeous when she was hot and bothered. When we got there, she suddenly shut the door, turning to look straight at me. A crooked finger brought me in, my heart hammering.
Her lips barely brushed my ear as she leaned up to me. “Mr. Macklen, I never beg.” And with a sultry smirk, the minx opened the door and went marching back out of my office.
I stared at the doorway. Ridiculously aroused. But most of all, I realized that I enjoyed Ashlyn Grove’s company far too much for a quick fuck on the desk.
I might like her too much for any of my usual tactics.
“Shall I turn up the air conditioning?”
I turned to Rose, who watched stoically from her desk. “What?”
“It’s a little hot in here, isn’t it?”
I growled, sending her a glare as I stepped back into my office. “It’s California. Of course it’s hot.” I could hear her laughter long after I settled back at my desk. Even as I tried to focus on the presentation rolling across my laptop, my thoughts wvandered. I never beg, she had said. I smirked. We shall see about that.
Regardless of what I’d felt a few moments ago, the chase was half the fun. I swallowed thickly. And I could only imagine what a woman like Ashlyn would be like in bed.
And I mean, I had imagined it, over and over these past few days. It was only going to get worse, holding off, but I knew the price would be worth it when I finally stole that kiss and shut that smart little mouth with my lips. But first I had to get my company.
LIAM: You never beg, eh?
ASHLYN: Never.
LIAM: We will see.
***
I stared out the windows of my office, a smile tugging at my lips as I replayed my meeting with Ashlyn from earlier. Being in a fake relationship with her wouldn’t be a hardship whatsoever. I was surprised at the twang of chaotic need that edged around my usually orderly mind. My eyes fluttered shut. I could still feel Ashlyn there, pressed against me as if she was made to be there.
I felt rather than saw him enter the office. “What do you need, Dad?”
“Is that any way to greet your old man?”
I turned in my office chair to face my parent, my eyes flickering over the deep navy suit and glossy dark hair. People claimed I was a carbon copy of my father. I wished they wouldn’t.
“Hello, Dad. How are you?”
“Ah, that’s much better. I’m doing well. Thank you, Liam. How’s your rebrand going? I think I saw the little publicist walk up through reception a bit ago.” Daniel Macklen gave a low whistle. “She’s a distraction all on her own. What was her name again?”
I ground my teeth, feeling the molars creak as I stared at him. “Ashlyn Grove, Dad. And she’s not a distraction. She’s a professional. And don’t act like you don’t know exactly who she is. I know that you influenced the board when they hired Grove Communications.”
He humphed at me, looking unconvinced.
My hackles rose again. “Can I help you with something?”
My father turned, walking slowly toward the edge of the hallway, eyes trained to the lines of plaques and photos we’d hung there. “I didn’t realize you were changing the locks on dear old Dad. Can’t a man visit his own company?”
It’s not yours anymore, I wanted to shout. Instead I steepled my hands together, gritting my teeth as my father meandered around the office.
“Of course you can, Dad, but this doesn’t feel like a social visit. Let’s be honest… If it was, you’d be at Tanner’s place sipping overpriced scotch, not here in cubeland reliving the glory days.”
“You always were sharp as a tack. I guess I’ll get right to it.” Dad turned to me, his jaw tight as he leveled me with a stony look. “Sammy screwed up. I’m betting the local media is going to be onto it by the time the night is up.”
That got my attention fast. My sister was my highest priority, and the fact that my father knew anything meant that I’d screwed up. “What do you mean? Is she okay? What’s going on?”
“Someone blabbed to the local social media hellhounds that she’s been hanging at a local strip club.”
