“The other women didn’t matter,” Ash said simply. “Josie does. Can’t afford to play it safe with her. Have to press my advantage when I have it.”
Jace took in a long breath, his gaze intently studying Ash. After a moment, Ash shifted uncomfortably underneath his friend’s scrutiny.
“Are you thinking long term here?” Jace asked. “You say she’s different and already I’ve seen just how different you are about her. You’re talking about breaking the law and doing God only knows what to the ass**le who beat her up. But just how different are we talking here, Ash?”
“Think about how you felt when you met Bethany,” Ash said in an even tone.
“Shit,” Jace breathed. “Say no more. I get it. And congrats, man. Never thought it would happen for you this fast. You’ve always been so determined to live by our motto, ‘play hard and live free.’”
“Yeah, well, so were you,” Ash said dryly. “And don’t congratulate me yet. Too much shit to sort out, and while I may have Josie where I want her right now, it’s definitely not in the bag.”
“But knowing how I felt about Bethany, and you saying it’s like that? You’re done for, man. If you feel even half what I felt for Bethany in the beginning, this is it for you. And knowing you the way I know you, if Josie is what you want, you’re damn well not going to let her go.”
“Fuck no,” Ash muttered. “If she’s not with me for the long term, it’ll be because she fought me tooth and nail and won. And I don’t lose.”
“You thinking marriage? Absolute commitment? What are we talking here, Ash? I need to know so I can give you shit after all the insults you hurled mine and Gabe’s way when our balls were twisting in the wind over Bethany and Mia.”
Ash flipped up his middle finger. “I don’t know yet. Marriage is a big step. It’s permanent. And it’s too early to be thinking about marriage and babies and shit. All I can focus on is Josie and making sure she’s as into me as I’m into her.”
Jace nodded. “Yeah, I get it. But just so you know, I’m going to start planning that bachelor party now.”
Ash chuckled. “Whatever, man.”
Jace’s expression grew more serious and he leveled a hard stare in Ash’s direction. “Now what about the man who hurt Josie? You said you needed an alibi, and you know I’ll do whatever you need, but I need details here. Can’t say visiting you at Riker’s is on my top-ten list of shit to do for kicks and giggles.”
Ash sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m checking into it, as I said. But I want to move quickly on this. I want to get Josie settled, and part of that is me knowing that this ass**le won’t be threatening her anymore. I got some preliminary info on him and his movements. He’s pretty predictable. Keeps to the same schedule. If that holds true, then I plan to address the situation Friday night.”
Jace’s eyes narrowed and he sat forward in his seat. “You as in you personally? Or are you having the issue taken care of by a third party?”
“Both,” Ash said, taking in his friend’s reaction.
“Jesus, Ash. Don’t f**k up, man. I doubt Josie wants to visit you in jail anymore than I do.”
“Not going to be an issue,” Ash said evenly. “The guys I have in mind are good. Cover all the bases. They’ll swear they don’t know me and I’ll swear I don’t know them. Don’t want to put you in a bad position and definitely don’t want Bethany involved, so I’d prefer if my alibi was only you and not the two of you together.”
Jace nodded. “Yeah, you know I don’t mind going to the wall for you. Ever. But I don’t want this touching Bethany. And whatever you need, man. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, I know. Appreciate it, Jace.”
“Let me know, okay? Don’t keep me in the dark. I’ll want details, and if you get into trouble, you better f**king call me. And don’t do this alone, got me? If you can’t arrange it with whatever men you plan to hook up with for the job, then you call me and I’ll go with you.”
Ash grinned. “Yes, Mother. Want to wipe my ass for me while you’re at it?”
“Fuck you,” Jace said rudely.
Ash chuckled and then sobered as he stared back at Jace. “Don’t want this touching Bethany or you. You providing me an alibi is enough. It’s more than I want to ask of you. I’d never do anything to jeopardize your relationship with Bethany.”
“Yeah, I know. But also know that you’re my brother, Ash. You’re family. Not those shitheads you share blood with. Me and Gabe and by extension Mia and Bethany. Don’t care what I have to do to help you. I’ll do it. No questions asked.”
“Christ, man. Stop it already or we’ll be a bunch of pansy-ass girls reaching for the f**king tissues.”
Jace threw back his head and laughed. “Okay, now that we have that squared away, when do I get to meet Josie?”
Ash huffed out a breath. “Soon. I want you and Bethany both to meet her. After I get this shit with her ex taken care of then I can breathe a little easier. Maybe we can have dinner Sunday night.”
Jace nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
“She knows about Bethany.” Ash made a face. “I told her everything. Didn’t want it to catch her off guard, not that I think it would ever come up, but I didn’t want to take any chances.”
Jace winced. “How she’d take it? I can see how that would be awkward as hell when we’re all together. Especially now that she knows.”
“She was cool about it. I doubt any woman loves the idea of hanging with a woman her man slept with in the past. But I assured her that you had no intention of ever sharing Bethany with anyone ever again, and that furthermore, I wasn’t going to be involved in any threesomes and I sure as hell wouldn’t want to have a threesome with her and another guy.”
Jace scowled. “Fuck no I’m not sharing Bethany with anyone. Bad enough there was that one time with you.”
Ash held up his hands. “Don’t get all worked up. I didn’t bring it up to piss you off. I just wanted you to know that Josie knows. I was straight with her about everything regarding my sexual history.”
“Bet that took a while,” Jace said dryly.
“About as long as it took you to explain to Bethany,” Ash shot back.
“Touché,” Jace said with a grin. Then he stood, heading toward the door. “If that’s everything, I’m going to get to work. I have calls to make and a conference call in half an hour. You got lunch plans?”
Ash checked his watch. “No, but I plan to head home early today. Didn’t like leaving Josie on her own so quickly after I got her moved in. I have people bringing her shit over to my apartment and I told her I’d help her sort it all out when I got home. So I’ll probably skip lunch, get my desk cleared and then head out around two.”
Jace nodded. “Okay. Keep me posted. Especially about Friday night. We need to get our stories straight.”
“Will do,” Ash replied.
Chapter fifteen
Josie put down her paintbrush and scrambled to wipe her hands before picking up her ringing cell phone. They shook slightly as she saw it was Ash calling. A flutter began in her belly, rising up into her throat.
“Hello?”
“I’m on my way home.”
Ash’s simple words sent a tingle down her spine.
“Okay,” she murmured. “I’ll be ready.”
“Good. You didn’t forget, then.”
“No,” she said softly. “I know what your expectations are.”
He paused. “But is it what you want, Josie? Or are you only catering to my desires?”
“I want it too, Ash. I’m a little nervous, but it’s because this is all new and we’re still getting to know each other. But I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be. No matter what kind of woman you think you hustled to your apartment, I’m not her. I’m not weak or spineless. Granted, I didn’t handle the situation with Michael like I should have, but I’m not easily walked over.”
He chuckled, the sound warm and vibrant in her ear. “I never thought for a moment that you were weak or spineless, baby. It takes a strong woman to take on a man like me. Never doubt that.”
A broad smile attacked her face and her belly clenched in delight at the soft endearment. It wasn’t the first time he’d called her baby, and she’d loved it then. There was something about this man’s voice softening, the tenderness when he used the pet word, that made her heart skip a few beats.
“I need to go if I’m going to be ready for you when you get here,” she said. “I don’t want to disappoint you on your first day home to me.”
There was another pause and then his voice low and sweet, sending a brisk thrill coursing through her veins.
“You won’t disappoint me, Josie. Don’t want you thinking that. Don’t even want it in your head. If you’re there when I get home, naked and waiting for me, I’m not going to be disappointed. I’ve looked forward to it all day. I’ll let you go so you can get ready. See you soon.”
“Bye,” she whispered.
As soon as she ended the call, she surged to her feet, frowning when she saw the scattered supplies all over his living room. She knew his housekeeper was coming in the morning, but she didn’t want to be an added burden. For that matter, all her stuff was in boxes, neatly stacked against the living room wall. She hadn’t bothered unpacking them yet because she’d wanted to work, eager to get more of her paintings to the art gallery.
Hopefully Ash wouldn’t be annoyed at the mess and at the chaos she’d brought into his immaculately kept apartment.
She rushed to the bathroom, wondering if she had time for a quick shower. But she’d taken one this morning. She was clean. Just her hands and her arms had paint splatters and she could clean those off in short order.
Still, she paid careful attention to her appearance. She brushed out her long, blond hair and surveyed her reflection in the mirror. No makeup today, but then she rarely wore more than lip gloss and mascara.
Satisfied that she didn’t look an absolute mess, she went into the bedroom and stripped out of her clothing. She folded the jeans and the shirt, not knowing if she’d dress afterward or if Ash would keep her occupied until bedtime. She’d tackle that particular issue when the time came.
But what now? Did she wait in the bedroom? Should she sit in the living room and wait for him there? She frowned pensively. They hadn’t gone over the particulars, just that he wanted her naked and waiting for him.
He’d been specific in that he didn’t want her to kneel unless he wanted her there because she was sucking his cock. Her cheeks flamed in remembrance of that statement. Michael had liked her to kneel. Liked her subservience. At the time it hadn’t bothered her. It was a part of their relationship, one she’d readily agreed to. Now she felt foolish for offering the jerk her submission.
She walked into the living room, deciding this was where she’d wait for him. He’d liked the idea of coming home and finding her naked and waiting, which told her that he’d probably like to see her as soon as he walked in. If he had to look for her, then she wasn’t waiting for him very well. And she liked the idea of being the first thing he saw when he got off the elevator.
Since she wasn’t going to kneel, she opted for the plush leather couch, but she put one of the throws down so it would be comfortable against her bare skin. And then she pondered over whether she should sit up? Recline? Laughter bubbled from her throat. She was so overthinking this.
She was an artist and visuals appealed to her. She knew all about provocative poses and Ash would appreciate one of those surely. She wanted to wow him the first time he came home to her.
Warmth entered her chest as those words settled over her. Coming home to her. How easily she fell into his life, his apartment, and adopted it as her own. Was she really considering this home now? And that she had a man coming home to her every day?
Not deliberating over whether she was crazy for entertaining such thoughts, she settled onto her side, arranging her hair to hang over her shoulder, partially obscuring her br**sts. It wasn’t that she had any inhibitions. But less was often more. Men responded to what they couldn’t see often as much or even more than what they could see.
It was what made her paintings provocative. The hint of flesh. Just a glimpse of the forbidden.
She rested her head against the arm of the couch and let her gaze drift toward the elevator door. Her skin tingled, anticipation licking over her body as she imagined what Ash would choose to do when he got home.
Arousal hummed low in her body. She was tempted to slide her fingers between her legs and stroke herself to a quick orgasm. It wouldn’t take much. She was worked up just thinking about Ash’s arrival. But she didn’t want to take away from whatever he planned.
So she waited, each second seemingly an hour.
When she heard the elevator, her breath hiccupped and stuck a moment in her throat. Her mouth went dry and she hastily licked her lips just as the doors slid open, revealing Ash in the suit he’d worn to work.
One hand shoved into his slacks pocket, his pose casual and arrogant. He exuded wealth, charm and . . . power.
She shivered as their gazes met and held. His eyes burned over her, flaring when he took in her pose. Appreciation gleamed, and she was glad she’d opted for seductive instead of just sitting and waiting.
He strode toward her, his jaw tight, eyes blazing. She lifted her head, tracking his progress.