“Ashley. Ashley! Can we have a quick chat?” A female reporter waved her hand, and Ashley’s steps slowed.
“I can give you five minutes.” Ashley softened her words with a smile. “After that, I must leave to reach my next engagement.”
“Social media has been flooded with posts. Is it true you killed one of your friends?”
Ashley’s cheeks paled, but her smile remained intact. “When I was eighteen, the passenger in the car I was driving died when we crashed into a tree. That part is accurate, and there isn’t a moment when I don’t wish my friend was here with me today. The part that isn’t true is your implication I’m a murderer. I was young, and I made a mistake. I paid for that mistake by losing my best friend.
“Along with that, I paid fines, lost my driving license, and did community service. I suggest you do your research instead of relying on fake news from social media.”
Ashley stalked off, leaving the female reporter gaping like a fish struggling to breathe out of water. The reporter spoke to her cameraman, and they trotted after Ashley. Gerry and Nelson pushed them back when the reporter attempted to ask further questions.
Josh slid in beside Ashley, his senses still jumping in preternatural awareness. Ashley’s stalker was here in the crowd, watching. He was smart about it, though, and Josh couldn’t spot him. He waited until Nelson and Gerry sat inside the vehicle.
“Did you see anyone?” Josh asked.
“No,” Gerry barked, frustration tightening his stubble-covered jaw.
“He’s here.” Nelson scanned their vicinity. “I can sense him, but damn if I can spot him.”
* * * * *
He trembled, his anger a tangible thing. Her minders might give her the illusion of safety, but Ashley Townsend should think again.
He refused to give up.
His plan was working. He’d rattled Awful Ashley with his notes. Invading her home had upset her too. While the new security alarm might stop him rifling through her underwear, it wouldn’t stop him from achieving his goal.
She was frightened.
The online posts had caused talk, provoked curiosity.
He’d caught part of her talk about bullies. Bah! If she thought this was bullying, she’d whimper at what was to come.
An old scar on the top of his hand reminded him of the past, of punishments, the withholding of treats and privileges. No, the bitch didn’t understand what it was to be persecuted and punished for something someone else done.
She believed she’d paid for the crime.
She hadn’t even started.
9 – Politics and Danger
It was two hours later when Josh returned Summer’s call.
“What’s up?” he asked when she answered the phone.
“I’ve gone through everything published in the papers at the time of Ashley’s accident, and I’ve started to research Jessica Webster’s family. She had a younger sister and brother. From what I can work out, the parents split up about nine months after the accident. The father worked on a cattle station near Queenstown. He retained custody of the son while the daughter remained with the mother. I’ve found the daughter and mother on social media. The mother lived in Auckland with her parents after the divorce. Irene, the daughter, is currently working in England, and judging by the mother’s social media page, she is visiting her daughter and taking the opportunity to see the European sights with her current husband of six years.”
“And the father and brother?”
“The father died in a quad bike accident on the station where he worked. I found a death notice in the local paper plus a write-up. He was a popular guy and coached the local rugby team. I found photos of Joseph—the brother—at school, but nothing after that. He doesn’t appear to have a social media presence. I’ve tried everything I can think of to learn what happened to him. Nada.”
“Is it possible this Joseph is our stalker?”
“I don’t know.” Summer pursed her lips. “Nothing stands out as odd. The divorce went through quickly, and there were no associated legal battles. Oh, that Charles character. He has alibis for days and nights when things have happened. He might’ve hired someone, but from what I sense of him, I’d place him low on the list of suspects.”
“All right. Keep digging, just in case. I’ll ask Ashley tonight if she knows anything about Joseph,” Josh said.
“The online posts are awful.” Summer muttered under her breath. “Trolls! Some have been taken down, but people are still commenting and sharing them. How is Ashley holding up?”
“She’s taking this in her stride. The posts upset her, but she decided to use them to her advantage to sway public opinion. She has likened it to bullying.”
“You like her,” Summer said, sounding surprised.
“Why is that so strange? She’s attractive and smart. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t hit on every woman I meet. I enjoy a decent conversation.”
“Even if it is about the Labor party and their policies?”
“We discuss things other than politics,” Josh said tartly.
Summer paused for a beat. “Are you sleeping with her? Josh! You cannot play around with her. She has an important job and doesn’t need you playing mind games.”
Josh gripped his phone more tightly. Indignation rose, and he ended the call before he uttered something he’d regret. “Thanks for the info. Later, Summer.” Why did everyone assume he intended to walk away, leaving Ashley in a helpless puddle of femininity? For one, the assumption was an insult to a classy lady. And two, he’d never, ever made promises to women about a future. He’d always made his stance clear before he started anything. With Ashley, it was different. She intrigued him, and he found himself wanting more, wanting to deepen their connection, not that he’d confess this to Summer. A scowl dug deep into his features, Summer’s assumptions irking him.
He strolled over to Nelson and told the cop he was going for coffee. With Nelson’s and Gerry’s coffee order in mind, he stomped away to regain his equilibrium.
One meeting and talk flowed into another. Josh wasn’t sure how Ashley kept her smile fixed in place since the media and the public asked her the same questions over and over again. Ashley remained patient while giving her answers a spin to impart information covering Labor’s policies and their promises to voters.
“You’re doing great, sweetheart,” Josh whispered as he slipped into the car beside her. “What’s next?”
“We have an hour at home to change for a business meeting and cocktails, then we’re going to the red-carpet showing of a new fantasy movie set in the South Island.”
“Fantasy?” Josh suppressed a groan. “Not with Hobbits?”
“This time it’s dragons. We’ll get to meet the director and stars, including the dragon, from what I hear.”
Oh, joy. Josh buttoned his lips, deciding to follow his mother’s oft-heard advice of it you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.
Ashley hid her amusement. Matt hated what he called airy-fairy crap, and obviously, Josh stood in the same camp. Her brother enjoyed car crashes and high-octane thrillers. You’d think he got enough of that type of action during his workday.
When they arrived back at her house, Ashley showed Gerry and Nelson to her spare bedrooms, and since Matt had ordered her—for reasons he failed to expound on—to continue the pretense that Josh was her fiancé, that meant she and Josh had to share.
Josh had dumped his things in her bedroom before Gerry’s and Nelson’s arrival. Now, she pulled clean linen out of the cupboard.
“Gerry and I will make our beds.” Nelson wrestled the sheets from her hands, determination stamped into his features. “You take a break and get ready for your evening.”
Ashley brushed a lock of hair from her face, glad to have one less task. “Thanks.”
Josh appeared, carrying a tray. “I’ve made you a cup of tea. Should I run the bath for you?”
“That sounds heavenly,” Ashley said.
In her room, Ashley kicked off her shoes and wriggled her toes. As much as she hated heels, they were a part of her political uniform. They turned her height into an asset and stopped any male patting-of-the-head ideas.
She poured a cup of tea and closed her eyes to savor the scent. She had a thing for the ginger and quince tea and loved the surprising aroma that reminded her of a bazaar with its Turkish delight fragrance. While she waited for the tea to cool a fraction, she removed her jacket and unbuttoned her blouse to reveal the red bra Josh had purchased.
Apart from thanking him for doing the shopping, they hadn’t discussed the contents.
Although red wasn’t a color she’d have purchased herself, she’d adored the vibrant ruby color of the lingerie set at first sight.
Josh pushed the door open. “The bath is almost—” He turned away to close the door with a loud click and leaned against the wood to study her with greater intensity.
Ashley swore she felt his touch as his gaze roved her curves.
“You are more beautiful than I imagined.” His gaze slid to half-mast. “Are you wearing the matching panties?”
“Of course.”
“Can I see? Please.”
“What do I get in return?” she asked.
“I’ll strip for your viewing pleasure any time you want, sweetheart.”
“Matt wouldn’t approve. I had him lecture me this morning.”
“Fuck, Frog.” Josh grimaced. “He harangued me too. My sister also warned me not to play fast and loose with your heart.”
“We’re not five-year-olds,” Ashley said. “Have they forgotten we’re adults?”
“You don’t look like any five-year-old of my acquaintance.” Josh pushed away from the door to stalk closer.
Her heart gave one hard thump before jumping into a frenzied race. She held her ground. Just. “W-what are you going to do?”
“I really want to see the full effect of your sexy red lingerie.”
“It’s ruby, not red.”
Josh shrugged. “Please.”
Her mouth grew dry, and she licked her lips. Once. Twice. With his gaze caressing her all over, she decided to do as he requested. But she had to remember. Josh was no tamed cat to put outside whenever it suited her. If she opened this door…
Aware of the passing time and the fact she’d need to strip anyway, Ashley unfastened her skirt zipper. With the zipper spread, she did her regular careful shimmy to peel the fabric over her hips. This time, she had the added challenge of leaving her panties in place and not taking them off with her gyrations to remove the skirt.
“Do that shimmy thing again.” His voice was low, gritty while his electric blue gaze held her captive.
A blast of exhilaration stole her breath, tightened her chest. Her mouth grew dry as she stared at Josh. She stood with her skirt still caught on her backside, her bravery abandoning her. What was she doing?
“I. Dare. You.”
Her gaze flew to his, and she rocked her hips, gave a tiny twist, and her skirt pooled at her feet. She stepped out of the green fabric.
“You’re gorgeous, sweetheart. All that creamy skin. Your curves. You hide them.”
“I don’t want the voters distracted from business.”
He grinned. “Concealed weapon.”
A snort escaped her. “Don’t give the press any ideas. I’d better jump in the bath.”
Josh rose from the bed and intercepted her before she’d taken two steps. “One kiss.”
She stared, sensed the tension riding him, and knew, just knew, letting him kiss her was a bad idea. But she craved his touch, wanted to feel a proper kiss rather than one of his quick pecks meant to solidify their pretense. Instead of replying, she continued to stare at him, fighting an inner struggle.
His callused hands curved over her shoulders, the rough spots on his palms and fingers eliciting a shiver. His gaze dropped to her lips, and he slowly lowered his head. At any time, she could’ve stopped him, should’ve stopped him. She didn’t. His mouth brushed hers, firm and competent. Hot and decadent. The intimate caress teased a moan from her, and he drew her closer, his hands slipping to her hips and pressing her nearer until she felt the solid ridge of his erection. Heat whooshed through her, and her mind hazed, her thoughts narrowing to the man who held her.
Big. Strong. He focused on her mouth and detonated her barriers. Instead of clear-sighted thought, a picture of them moving to the bed formed in her mind. Her hands roved his back, but she gained the merest impression of his musculature.
Too many clothes.
Skin. She needed to run her fingers over his torso, to experience the give of his muscles, and that wasn’t happening. Ashley struggled to move, to get her hands on that real estate.
Josh nipped her lip, and when she opened her mouth to protest, he slid his tongue against hers.
Oh. Oh!
That was better.
She stopped fighting and relaxed to enjoy herself. He pulled away, and with a moan of protest, she followed him, mashing their lips together with far less expertise than him. Not that Josh laughed. He gave a groan of his own and sank into a kiss again. His fingers kneaded the cheeks of her arse and not an inch of space separated their lower bodies.
Yes! Oh, this was so, so good.
Much better than the lukewarm, fumbling sex she’d experienced at university.
A foreign sound intruded.
Josh tensed then parted their mouths and pressed his forehead against hers. “Damn.” He pushed away from her. “Yeah, what is it?”
“There’s a woman and a kid here. She says she’s your sister,” Nelson called through the door.
“Summer? Thanks. I’ll be there in a sec,” Josh replied.
Ashley wanted to cry, but perhaps the timely interruption was a wake-up call. He was a soldier—ex-soldier—and she was a prime minister in waiting. At least, she hoped this office lay in her future.
“You’d better bathe and get ready for your next gig. Do I break out the suit?”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Bother. She’d already liked Josh, and now she’d discovered the man had lots of sensual skills in his arsenal. Perhaps she should listen to Matt and buckle down to concentrate on the campaign. Men weren’t to be trusted—not in the romantic sense when she had so much to lose.
Without a word, she turned away to gather clean underwear and prepare for her evening.
Josh straightened his button-down shirt and left the bedroom, closing the door after him. In the kitchen, he nodded to Nelson. “Where is she?”
“I made her wait outside in her vehicle.”
Josh grinned. “I bet that went well.”
“Do you have a sister?”
“Yes, younger than me. She’s married to a military man, and they have one boy. Can Summer come inside once I verify she is my sister?”
“She can,” Nelson said.
Josh strode to the rear door and peeked through a crack. He spotted Summer leaning against the car, impatience etched into her frown.
When she saw him, she straightened and placed her hands on her hips. “You kept me waiting long enough.”
Josh grinned and saluted her. “Nelson says you can come inside now that I’ve vouched for you. Did you find anything?”
“Yeah. Let me grab my laptop to show you. Can you get Sam for me?”
“Sure.” Josh jogged to the SUV. “Hi, Sam.” His one-year-old nephew held out his arms and beamed at him with a gummy smile. “I’ll have you out of your car seat in a trice.” True to his word, seconds later, he carried Sam toward the house.
Inside, he gestured to Nelson and then Gerry. “This is my sister Summer and her son Sam. Summer, Nelson, and Gerry. They’re Ashley’s DPS squad until we work out this stalker stuff.”
“Did you ask Ashley about Joseph? I found an article written by a local journalist at the time of the inquest. Joseph was noticeably upset and blamed Ashley
for killing his sister.”
“Do you have a copy of that article?” Nelson asked, stepping forward.
“I do. Let me fire up my laptop, and I’ll show you.” Summer pulled her laptop from its protective bag. “I haven’t been able to locate Joseph, not since he left high school. There is nothing online for him that I can find, and that’s unusual these days.”
A door opened and shut down the passage, and Josh had to force himself not to react. A naked Ashley slipping into the bubble bath or getting out, bubbles running down her breasts. His imagination—hell, he didn’t require sounds or sight to get a hard-on. The more he learned of Ashley, the more he admired Frog’s little sister.
He forced himself to concentrate on Summer. “Do you think he’s the one?”
Summer wrinkled her nose. “I honestly don’t know.”
Nelson and Gerry spoke in undertones after reading the article Summer had discovered.
Gerry turned to Summer. “Anything else? Other family members?”
“You should go to the source.” Ashley padded into the kitchen, her body swathed in a robe and her feet bare. “I’d hate to think you were gossiping behind my back.”
“Of course we weren’t,” Summer retorted. “I came here to speak to you and Josh. I didn’t realize you’d have a goon squad in residence.” A mischievous smile crept into evidence. “Well, I knew you had one living here, but I hadn’t expected them to multiply.”
Josh groaned. “Not helping, Summer.”
“What info do you want?” Ashley persisted.
“We wondered if Joseph Harrison might be the one behind the trouble you’re having.”
“No.” Ashley shook her head. “Not Joseph. I doubt it’s any of the Harrison family. Jess was a wild child. She was acting out, and I suspect she was dabbling with drugs. I feel terrible for saying this, but if she hadn’t died in the accident, chances were she’d have hurt herself in other ways. Her parents were strict with their children. Stricter than most of our friends. Jess was a rebel. Not one family member blamed me for Jess’s death. Not one, despite the stories in the papers.”
Josh's Fake Fiancee (Military Men Book 5) Page 10