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Sure, people date based on attraction. But time is needed to get to know each other if a relationship is going to continue on solid footing.
So far, each man has great qualities.
Look what Ashton is doing with his life.
Emery is rich, but down to earth, and his daughter worships him.
Ford is the wild card. He’s the bad boy, but he’s also very controlling. Not in a rude, demeaning way. He’s an alpha, who wants to protect the people he loves. He can’t help himself.
Gulp.Does he love me?
I know he loves Ash. How can he not?
“Emery doesn’t do relationships,” Ash deadpans. “He’s got no plans to marry again. Me...” He reaches for my hand.
“Marriage?” My God, this is moving too fast.
“I’m ready. I have to get over this funding hurdle that will secure the surgery center’s opening. Then I’m handing the ongoing fundraising over to a team that can call donors once a year. It won’t be this constant begging for—”
“You’re not begging,” I interrupt him. “I hate that Ford said that to you.”
“I might be begging later, get used to it.” He winks but looks tired. “This gala-hopping is wearing me down. I can work nine to five and schedule surgeriesaround me, not around another hospital’s busy operating calendar. I’ll be available for something serious.”
“You’re so selfless, Ash.”
Bringing his face close to mine, his aftershave makes me tingle.
“I see how people look at you,” he whispers. “Your smile, your laugh. Plenty of my guests last week gave me a nod about you. Sure, marriages at my level are strategic. If I’m married to someone people respect, that’s part of what I’m looking for. God knows, you’re decent and honest. You’re gorgeous,andI’m dying to fuck you.”
His throaty voice heats my blood.
“What about Ford?” I ask on a painful swallow, and I really mean, what abouthimand Ford?
Ash roughly exhales. “Ford wants something I can’t give him.”
“And why don’t you want that exactly?”
“Because my family will drag me through the mud if I come out as bi. I’m already burdened with this name. It’s a strike against me. People in medical circles have drawn battle lines. Some support me because they, too, believe in the oath they took to help people, not die on the profit sword. Others have cast me aside as damaged goods from the shit my family has done. Don’t even look my way.”
“I’m sorry.”
It’s all so out of my league and over my head, these billionaire wars.
“I can’t live openly with the man I love.” Ash’s voice cracks and he puts his head down.
“Oh, Ashton.” I hug him, trembling at how he just admitted that he loves Ford.
But he wants me, too.
Our mouths come together, and he kisses me. It’s electric like the last time.
“Please don’t let what I feel for Ford take away what I feel for you. What I want from you. How I want to get to know you better because I feel it in my bones, you’re right for me.”
We kiss some more until horns honk.
Ash tosses the keys to an attendant with an easy grin, like he didn’t just hand over a one hundred-and-seventy-thousand-dollar SUV (I looked it up!).
He proudly walks me into Cassidy Hall as his.
