by Abby Green
Ashling lifted her chin. ‘You think I still owe you a debt.’
Zach pushed off the desk and started to walk around her. She held herself very still, even though every cell seemed to have developed a magnetic urge to go towards him.
‘What I think is that there’s a certain karmic beauty to the fact that you will help me achieve a deal now when you helped me lose one four years ago. And, even though it’s four years too late, you’ll take the place of the lover you also helped me lose.’
‘I’m sure you’ve had many replacements since then.’ Ashling was surprised at the caustic tone in her voice.
He stood in front of her. ‘Of course...but none I’ve wanted as much as I want you.’
Ashling desperately wished those words didn’t have any effect on her. But they did.
She wanted to dent that insufferable arrogance. ‘What if I don’t want you?’
‘You really want to go there? Make me show you up as a liar?’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Georgios is on his way up here right now. We can either give him a show or you can stop playing games. We both feel it, Ashling, as inconvenient as it is and as much as we might not even like each other.’
He took a step closer. Ashling could smell him. Musky and masculine. Could see stubble on his jaw. That hard mouth with its sensual lower lip. Her heart beat fast. If he kissed her now he would prove her resistance to be the sham it was.
She heard voices outside.
Zach arched a brow. ‘What’s it to be?’
The voices were closer now. Ashling recognised Diana’s voice and a much lower, accented one. Georgios Stephanides. Feeling a sense of panic and desperation mixed with excitement, she said, ‘Okay, fine. I admit it. I want you too. But I can’t just... How would this work...? For how long...?’
Zach put a hand around her neck, under her hair, and tugged her close. He pressed a swift hot kiss to her mouth and pulled back. ‘Don’t overthink it, hmm? This lasts as long as it takes to burn out. I predict it’ll be short and hot.’
He took his hand away as his words sank in and her mouth burned. And at that moment Diana showed Mr Stephanides into the room.
He saw Ashling. ‘My dear! How lovely to see you again. I’m so glad you’re here. I warn you that my wife is going to beg for a private yoga lesson.’
Ashling greeted the older man, genuinely pleased to see him in spite of the undercurrents flowing between her and Zach. And that incendiary kiss. What she’d just agreed to.
‘Of course your wife can have a yoga lesson. I’ll go and chat with her now.’ She was eager to put some space between her and Zach so she could fully absorb what had just happened.
Mr Stephanides looked at Zach. ‘I’m not taking her away from doing anything important for you, am I?
Zach smiled at Ashling and it was wicked. ‘Oh, no, Ashling is fully briefed. She knows exactly what I need her to do.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
THAT EVENING, ASHLING was still rattled—even though she’d done a yoga practice with Elena Stephanides. She hadn’t seen Zach again. He’d been in his office with Georgios for the rest of the day.
She looked at herself in the mirror. She looked flushed. Bright-eyed. Was she really going to do this? Embark on an affair with Zachary Temple? What had he said? That it would be short and hot...
Maybe that was what she needed after two earnest but admittedly dull relationships that had been based on all the things she’d thought were important. Like mutual respect. Compatibility. Things in common.
Maybe those things didn’t matter for a short and hot affair.
After all, as Zach had said, they didn’t even have to like each other. There was something very freeing about that. Even if Ashling had to admit uncomfortably that her feelings for Zach were a lot more ambiguous than they had been before.
She looked at herself in the mirror. The cocktail dress was cream silk and chiffon with a ruched and sweetheart-edged bodice, it fell in chiffon folds to just below her knees. The halter neck straps were encrusted with pearls and crossed over her bare back. The only jewellery she wore was a necklace her mother had given her. An Algerian love knot.
She slipped on a pair of black high heels and before she could lose her nerve—or, as Zach had warned her, overthink it—Ashling took a deep breath and left the room.
* * *
Zach couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt such a sense of anticipation. It was even eclipsing the fact that Georgios Stephanides had finally agreed to do the deal. Their legal teams were going to travel down from London first thing tomorrow and contracts would be signed.
The old man had looked at him earlier, after their last intense round of negotiations, and he’d said to Zach, ‘I’m glad I’ve seen you here, in this place. To be perfectly frank, I’ve been reluctant to sign a deal till now because I didn’t really think you could understand the importance of the legacy I’m handing you... To put it bluntly, you’re a lone wolf, Zach. And lone wolves are dangerous. They’re unpredictable. But you were smart to invite me here,’ he’d continued. ‘This house...is a home. Or it will be one day. I feel that very much. And Ashling—’
Zach had cut in, in shock at Georgios’s blunt insight. ‘Ashling is just—’
The man had put a hand up. ‘I might be old, Zach, but I’m not blind yet. I can see the passion between you.’
A familiar but for the first time unsavoury ruthlessness had urged Zach to stay quiet in that moment. After all, the man was right. There was something between him and Ashling. He just didn’t know how finite it would be.
And as for this place being a home some day... That concept made Zach feel a little winded. And yet he couldn’t deny the irrational desire he’d had when he’d seen this house. To buy it even though it stuck out of his property portfolio like a sore thumb.
Georgios had continued. ‘I’ve seen here that the lone wolf can be tamed, and that is why I will do the deal with you.’
Ridiculous, Zach thought to himself now, as he waited for his guests to arrive for dinner. Georgios Stephanides is a romantic old fool. That’s all.
He poured himself an aperitif and just then heard a sound from behind him. Even before he turned he knew it was her.
She was standing in the doorway. Hesitant. Before, he’d suspected it was artifice, but he recognised it now. Because for a long time he’d had to consciously battle his own feelings of inadequacy. Of feeling that he didn’t belong in places like this. She had it too.
She looked like a vision in cream and silk, her skin lightly golden. Absurdly, an urge to protect rose up in him. To reassure. Zach shoved it down. There was no place for that here.
‘Would you like a drink?’ he asked.
She stepped over the threshold, her legs slim and shapely. Bare. Lust surged, hot and uncontrollable, at the thought of those legs wrapped around him, her body milking—
‘White wine would be nice, thank you.’
Even her voice, soft and husky, caught at him. It was as if now that he’d decided to give free rein to his desire it was morphing out of his control. Almost.
He poured her a drink and told himself to get it together. He was more sophisticated than this.
When he’d handed her the drink he said, ‘You look beautiful.’
Her cheeks pinkened. ‘Thank you.’
She seemed skittish. Avoiding his eye. Zach was used to women being forward, confident. Especially if they knew he wanted them. But Ashling wasn’t emboldened by the knowledge that Zach had exhibited his weakness for her. In his world, any kind of vulnerability was ruthlessly exploited. He wanted her to look at him, wanted to see her eyes.
‘Ash—’
‘Good evening. I hope we haven’t kept you waiting?’
Zach cursed silently as the Stephanides made their appearance.
* * *
Ashling sent up silent t
hanks when the other couple arrived. She’d watched Zach for an unguarded moment before he’d turned around to see her. Hovering on the threshold...beset for a moment by old insecurities. It had been a reminder that she didn’t belong in a world like this. That she didn’t fit...
Unwelcome memories had come...one in particular.
She’d been waiting for Cassie to come home from school one day, and when she’d heard the car arrive back at house in Belgravia she’d run upstairs, excited to see her friend. She’d burst into the hall as Cassie had arrived—only to be hauled backwards by the rough hand of Cassie’s father, whom she hadn’t seen emerging from the library.
He’d loomed over her, a powerful, intimidating man. ‘Who said you could come into this part of the house?’
Cassie had cut in plaintively, ‘But, Dad—’
He’d looked at his daughter, ‘Upstairs, Cassandra. Now. I’ve told you that if you want to see Ashling you can play in the garden or in her quarters.’
The embarrassment was still vivid. She’d laughed about it afterwards with Cassie, but she’d never forgotten the awful feeling of shame. Of feeling that she didn’t belong.
Elena Stephanides gasped, bringing Ashling back from the lingering wisps of the past. ‘My dear girl, is that a Chanel dress?’
Ashling smiled. ‘Yes, it is. It’s vintage. I found it in a charity shop in Mayfair.’
The other woman sighed theatrically. ‘I don’t even want to know how much you paid for it, because I can still remember the original price when it was brand-new!’
Ashling laughed, grateful for this buffer between her and the brooding intensity coming from Zach. She knew it was too late to resist what was inevitable. She didn’t want to resist. But that didn’t stop her from being very afraid that he would consume her utterly and reveal just how flimsy her defences really were.
Because the truth was she’d never risked her heart before—even if she’d fooled herself into thinking she had.
And to risk her heart was to risk being humiliated, like her mother had been. Humiliated and rejected. Cast aside because she didn’t belong. She’d prided herself on being more savvy. But she hadn’t been tested. Until now.
* * *
‘Come here.’
A delicious shiver skated over Ashling’s skin at Zach’s request. Dinner was over. Their digestif drinks in the sitting room were finished. The Stephanides had just retired.
Over the course of the evening Ashling’s concerns had faded more and more into the background, replaced by growing heat and tension. She’d never been so conscious of another human being before. She was aware of every tiny gesture Zach made. The way he sat back in his chair and lazily held his wine glass. The way he smiled. The way his eyes slid to her when the other couple were talking to one another.
She’d felt herself blooming more and more under each successive glance and look. Like a flower opening up to the sun. It was heady.
Seeing him interact with Georgios and Elena, relaxed and charming, showed Ashling just how devastatingly irresistible he could be. She didn’t have a hope. And he hadn’t even had to seduce her. He’d had her from the moment she’d stood in front of him four years ago and set in train this chain of events.
She sat in a chair at right angles to the couch where the older couple had sat. Zach was in a chair at the other end. She felt a need to resist, even though she knew it was futile. Zach was just too...assured.
As if sensing her resistance, he sat forward, relaxed and yet primed. She could sense his tension. It mirrored hers.
‘Come here, Ashling.’
She’d never been so conscious of her name and how it sounded.
‘Why should I come to you?’
Zach arched a brow. He stood up, uncoiling his tall body. He closed the distance and stood in front of her. And then, to her surprise, he went down on his knees before her.
‘Better?’ he asked.
Suddenly she couldn’t breathe. Zach put his hands on her knees, watching her.
He pushed her knees apart slightly. ‘Okay?’
Something about his solicitude relaxed the knot inside her. She nodded.
He pushed her knees apart more and moved forward, coming between her thighs. He ran his hands up her bare thighs under her dress. Every nerve-ending screamed with tension.
He said, ‘I want to see you.’
Ashling lifted trembling hands and undid the tiny hooks that held the pearl-encrusted straps to the bodice of the dress at the front. The bodice sagged, and after another explicit look from Zach Ashling nodded.
Zach took his hands off her thighs and lifted them to the dress. He slowly pulled down the bodice, exposing her to his dark gaze. She’d never been more conscious of her modest-sized breasts. They felt heavy, the nipples tightening to sharp points of need.
He spread his hands around her back, urging her forward slightly so that she sat down in the cradle of the chair. And then he bent forward, placing his mouth first on one breast and then the other. His tongue laved the peaks, his teeth tugging gently on skin so sensitised that Ashling bit her lip to stop crying out.
Her hands were in Zach’s hair, holding tight. She was torn between pushing him away when it got too much and never letting him go.
He left her breasts and Ashling’s blurry eyes focused. His face was flushed. Eyes glittering. He moved back, but not far, and pushed the skirt of her dress up. He pushed her thighs apart even more and sat back on his haunches, looking at her.
The only thing stopping her from trying to close her legs was the naked hunger in Zach’s gaze. She’d never seen anything like it.
He reached forward and pulled her underwear to one side. Every drop of heat in Ashling’s body migrated to that spot.
She could only watch as Zach’s dark head moved down and she felt his breath feather along her inner thigh, his mouth pressing open-mouthed kisses to skin she’d never thought of as sensitive before.
She was squirming as he came closer and closer to the centre of her body. He put a hand on her belly, holding her still, as he all but lifted her with his other hand and placed his mouth right between her legs.
Ashling was barely aware of his hand moving up to cup her breast, kneading her flesh, trapping a nipple between his fingers, as his mouth and tongue explored her secret folds of flesh with a thoroughness that left her shaking.
She put a fist to her mouth to try and stop the sounds leaking out...hoarse screams. Tension spiralled deep inside her and she tried desperately to cling on, not to let herself shatter, because it seemed very important to avoid shattering at all costs.
But it was impossible. With one flick of Zach’s tongue Ashling’s world exploded into a million pieces and she was undone.
She was vaguely aware of Zach pulling her dress back up over her breasts. She looked at him as he stood up. She felt dizzy. Waves of pleasure throbbed under her skin.
He reached for her hands, tugging her up and out of the chair. Much to her mortification, her legs wobbled. He immediately scooped her up into his arms as if she weighed nothing.
He took her into the dimly lit hallway. All was quiet. Preparations for the event had stopped hours before. Ashling felt deliciously lethargic. She knew she should probably object to being carried in Zach’s arms, but his chest was so solid and her arms fitted around his neck as if they’d always been there.
He climbed the stairs with ease, bringing Ashling down to the end of the hall, past her bedroom and others.
He opened a door and Ashling had the impression of a corner suite...windows overlooking the property on two sides...a massive bed dressed in dark colours.
Zach put her down. Her shoes were...somewhere. She vaguely remembered kicking them off after dinner, having a conversation with Elena about the discomfort of high heels.
Her dress was still loose around her chest and Zach mov
ed behind her, carefully lowering the zip. The dress fell down under its own weight, around her feet.
Now she wore nothing but her underwear.
Zach came back in front of her and his eyes were heavy-lidded. He trailed a finger across one shoulder and down her arm. Traced the side of one breast. ‘You are beautiful.’
Ashling ducked her head, her hair falling forward. He put a finger under her chin and urged her to look up. He seemed to want to say something, but then he just cupped her face in his hands, and his mouth was covering hers, and a new hunger licked at her blood, seeking more. Much more.
She felt Zach shed his clothes, cursing against her mouth when a button wouldn’t open. She heard it pop and land somewhere. She felt like giggling.
But she didn’t feel like giggling when Zach stood in front of her naked.
He was majestic. All the way from the corded muscles of his shoulders, down to his chest and his slim hips, where his erection was long and thick and hard.
Ashling’s mouth dried.
His thighs were powerful. Long legs planted like a warrior. He was completely unashamed. And why shouldn’t he be? He was exquisite.
Overcome with a feeling of awe and curiosity, Ashling whispered, ‘Can I touch you?’
His jaw clenched. He nodded.
Ashling tentatively put out a hand to his chest, exploring the warm skin over steely muscles, the curve of his pectoral muscles and the ridges that ran below. The dark line of hair that dissected his lower belly.
She moved around to his back, broad and strong. His taut buttocks. And then returned to his front. She looked at him. At the evidence of how much he wanted her. Instinctively, she reached out and wrapped her hand around him lightly. Veins ran under the delicate skin. Moisture beaded at the head.
‘Ash...if you keep touching me like that this will be over very quickly. And I have no intention of letting that happen.’ Zach sounded tortured.