Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit)

by Lauren H. Kelley

  “Did you see his shoulders and those arms? Wow! I think this trip is just what you need.” Kerrigan’s excitement tamed Ashley’s grimace and made her blush.

  “He is something, isn’t he?” Ashley conceded with a smile that faded dim.

  “Are you going to do anything about it?”

  “I… I don’t know. I’m not going to chase him, if that’s what you mean.” Ashley shifted in her seat and glanced in Sebastian’s direction, making certain he was out of earshot. “Besides, that one is dangerous.”

  “Dangerous? How?” Kerrigan asked.

  “He’s not fling material. I know fling material.” Ashley pursed her lips and wagged a finger. “One word… Paul.”

  Kerrigan rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well Paul was a jerk, and you knew that going in. If Sebastian isn’t fling material, what is he?”

  Ashley twisted around, looking back again. “He’s danger. Did you see the Rolex on his wrist? And those jeans he’s wearing cost more than my entire wardrobe times three,” she said.

  “Rolex? Expensive jeans? Sorry, but I fail to see how that makes him dangerous. You’re prejudiced.”

  “Kerri, don’t be naïve. Those are clues, not fashion statements. A man like Sebastian probably has an ego and a sense of entitlement bigger than the price of that watch and those jeans combined.”

  Kerrigan shrugged her shoulders. “So he’s got an ego. Some people call that confidence.”

  Ashley rolled her neck. “Sebastian’s the kind of man addictions are made of. The worst kind of drug. He’ll wine you and dine you, and you can’t get enough. He’ll possess you as one of his expense trinkets. And then, bam! He’ll drop the ax, and he’s done with you.” Ashley shook her head, feeling sympathy for all the women who had fallen victim to Sebastian in the past. “I’m nobody’s trinket, and I can’t be bought.”

  Kerrigan narrowed her eyes. “He’s a game player. I thought you specialized in handling his type.”

  Ashley smiled a crooked grin, remembering how Sebastian’s pants hung from his waist and the feeling that knotted her belly when she shook his hand. “He’s the kind of man who will take a sista down.” She nodded her head. “I can handle the little league players. Sebastian is major league. Dangerous.”

  Kerrigan leaned in and whispered in Ashley’s ear. “Danger can be fun. You taught me that, remember?”

  Ashley rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but Danger fell in love and married you.”

  “You never know what could happen. Give him your number at least.”

  “Or maybe I’ll ask for his number.” Ashley arched an eyebrow.

  “What happened at the airport?”

  Ashley could feel her eyes flutter as she thought back to the glorious moment. “I was standing at a magazine rack, drooling over this year’s hottest male actors. When I looked around to see if anyone was watching me…”

  “And I saw the most beautiful woman. I had to introduce myself and get her name, but Ashley ran off. Luckily for me, she happens to be on my flight heading to Key West.” Sebastian stood over Ashley, grinning, his eyes fixed on her.

  “Oh! Hello, Se… Sebastian” she stuttered.

  Sebastian settled into the empty seat next to Ashley. He leaned across Ashley, stuck out his hand to Kerrigan. “Hi. I’m Sebastian.”

  Kerrigan smiled and gave Sebastian’s hand a firm shake. “Good to meet you. I’m Kerrigan.”

  Sebastian drew his arm back and nestled into the seat. “How long will you be in Key West, Ashley?” he asked, an eyebrow raised. “Before you head back to rant and rave on Peachtree Street,” he whispered.

  Ashley’s eyes stretched wide. She glanced at Kerrigan, who had put in earphones and shut her eyes, tuning them out. “You remember me?” Ashley asked, her head back and eyes focused on the safety pamphlet tucked into the pocket of the seat in front of her. She wondered if the pamphlet included instruction on how to avoid embarrassing moments such as this.

  “How could I forget you, darlin’?” His smug grin and sarcastic tone confronted her.

  “I’ll be in the Keys for two weeks,” she whispered back, turning away from his penetrating gaze. “I’m sorry about that night. Usually, I’m not that… that…”

  “Insane.” He smiled bolder now.

  Ashley nodded her head in agreement. “Yes. Usually, I’m not that insane. Again, I am very sorry. I had a bad day. My dog Copper ran away and…” She stopped. Telling a man whom she had just met about her ex would make her seem crazy and desperate. “…I have signs posted, and my friend’s husband is helping with the search while we’re in the Keys.”

  “I’m sorry about your dog. I hope you find him. I’m staying at the Key West Oceanside Resort. Where are you and your friend staying?”

  Ashley’s lips tightened, and she frowned. Sebastian breezing past her apology raised a flag in her mind. She shrugged off the feeling. Play nice.

  “We’re staying at Kerrigan’s vacation home.” She bit her bottom lip, trying her best not to let something sarcastic slip past her lips. “How about you? How long will you be in the Keys?”

  “Depends.”

  “Depends on what?” Head tilted to one side, she frowned.

  “Depends on whether or not there’s a reason for me to stay longer than I do normally.”

  Good-looking. Smart tongue. Sexy as hell. Yep. Dangerous. He had to go… but not yet.

  “That’s not an answer,” she said, looking him squarely in the eyes. “Oh, I see. You’re one of those men who can’t give a straight answer.” Pride swelled up inside Ashley. She would outdo him in a duel of sharp-tongued exchanges and send him running.

  He scrunched his face, cocked his head sideways. A spark of mischief flashed in his eyes. And without warning, he threw his head back and released a gut-wrenching laugh.

  Ashley jerked and tucked stray strands of hair behind her ear. I can’t believe he’s laughing at me. Heat burned her cheeks. She pursed her lips and didn’t crack a smile.

  “I travel to the Keys quite a bit for work, and I come and go as I please. At least six times a year.” Sebastian shuffled in the seat, positioned himself closer to Ashley until lightly grazing her ear with his lips when he spoke. “I know the Keys very well. Ashley, I would love to take you out one evening, either in the Keys or back in Atlanta.”

  The corners of her lips twitched. A coy smile emerged. “I’ll think about it.”

  “You do that.” He reached into his pocket and retrieved his wallet. “I’ll give you my card. Do you have a pen?” he asked.

  “Sure.” Sebastian’s fingers danced against Ashley’s as she handed him a pen.

  His bluish-gray eyes pinned her. “Here’s my cell phone number, and this is the hotel’s main number. Ask for me and they’ll put you through. Or, we could set up a date right now. What are you doing tomorrow evening?” Sebastian’s intense eyes made her flesh tingle.

  Ashley gritted her teeth. “I don’t know. We haven’t discussed any plans yet.” She glanced at Kerrigan, who had drifted asleep. “This trip was forced on me.”

  “I see. So you’re the desperate, single friend.”

  Ashley glared at him. “That’s rude,” she said, her tone seeded with annoyance.

  “I didn’t say that to be rude. I make observations. Looks like the odds are in my favor, Ashley.”

  “After that comment, I don’t think you have any odds.” She leaned away. “You’re a jerk.” She muttered through clenched teeth.

  “No, I think the odds of me taking you out and screwing you are pretty good.”

  Well, damn. There it was. No pretense. Simple. Raw. Honest.

  “I’m sorry. What did you say?” Ashley’s voice raised high enough to shatter glass.

  “You heard me, Ashley. I’m going to take you on a date. We’ll enjoy a nice gourmet meal. Share a few laughs. Then I’m going to take you to my room and fuck your brains out.”

  Fists balled at her sides, she turned to the right. The wings of the plane sliced through
thick puffy clouds reminding her they were thousands of feet in the air. Ashley lifted a few inches off the seat and glanced around at faces of potential witnesses to a midflight homicide.

  Exhibiting control over her natural instinct to kill, she lowered into the seat. “Wow! Does that line actually work on other women? I’ve never been spoken to so…”

  “Honestly.” He finished her sentence. “Why get upset with me for telling the truth? I saw the way you looked at me in the gift shop. There’s no point in playing games or lying to you. You did say you weren’t a damsel in distress. That’s what traditional dating is about—men rescuing lonely women to make them feel better about wanting to be fucked.”

  Ashley’s temper blazed hotter now. Perspiration coated her burning skin, and heat emitted from her pores. Hands squeezed into tightly wadded fists at her sides. “Since you’re breaking the rules of convention, why bother taking me out at all? Why not just invite me up to your room for the five-minute lay?” she asked.

  He shook his head from side to side. “Because I don’t think you have the guts. Ashley, you’re a damsel in distress trying to pretend that you’re not. I’m no goddamn knight, but I’ll gladly rescue you if that makes you feel better about wanting ten inches of Sebastian Stone inside you.” He leaned in at her retreat, then whispered more quietly, “You have my number. Call me anytime.” His lips curled into a grimy smile. “I’m really going to enjoy having you.”

  “I don’t believe this shit! First Paul and now you!” she blurted out loudly and then looked around the quiet cabin. The woman seated across from them frowned and then whispered to a man sitting next to her. Ashley frowned back and then glared at Sebastian. “Unfortunately for you, Sebastian, I’m fresh out of tolerance for losers and jerks,” she snapped.

  “I don’t know who Paul is or what he did to you, but he has nothing to do with me. You know what I want. I haven’t led you on, made false promises, or cheated on you. You’ll call me.” Sebastian stood. “Later, Ashley,” he said with a slow, deliberate drawl and then strolled back to his seat in first class.

  Still asleep with earbuds shoved in her ears, Kerrigan hadn’t heard their whispered conversation. Ashley was pissed to the tenth degree. She shook Kerrigan violently until her eyes popped open.

  “Kerrigan, you’ll never believe what that… that ass of a man said to me. I can’t believe him.”

  Kerrigan rubbed her sleepy eyes. “What are you talking about, Ash? Who?”

  “I’m talking about Sebastian! He’s the biggest asshole I’ve ever met.”

  “Obviously I missed something. Are you talking about Mr. Handsome and Dangerous from the gift shop? What happened?”

  She shook her head, still in shock. “I thought our conversation was going well until he said he wanted to take me out and fuck me.”

  “What! He said that? Used those exact words?”

  “Nearly verbatim. I can’t believe I let you talk me into going on this trip.”

  “Ashley, forget about Sebastian.” Kerrigan reached for her friend’s hand.

  “That creep lives in my building.” She gripped her stomach. “I feel sick to my stomach. As far as I know, he could be some crazed lunatic.” Ashley’s leg bounced up and down as she spoke. “He could be a stalker. What if he’s stalking me?”

  “Don’t jump to conclusions. He’ll move on. He knows you’re repulsed by his sleazy come-on.”

  Kerrigan fluffed her pillow and returned to her nap. Ashley fidgeted in her seat, stewing over Sebastian’s audacious arrogance and exaggerated confidence. She pulled out her iPad and then put the tablet away. Even listening to music couldn’t distract her from the thoughts floating in her head. No one had ever spoken so blatantly about sex and dating. Making matters worse, Sebastian had been right. Ashley did want him. The minute she saw him, she fantasized about his naked body. His raw sexual masculinity left her moist between the thighs. Damn him.

  Ashley stared at the phone number scribbled on the back of Sebastian’s business card. She flipped the card over to read the front. It read, Wooster, Holman, and Stone, Inc. Sebastian Stone had been printed on the card with no title.

  She reached down into her coral-and-white-striped carry-on and pulled out her iPad to Google the company’s name. Wooster, Holman, and Stone, Inc. was a real estate investment firm. A quick search on Sebastian Stone revealed his picture and title, president and chief executive officer. Ashley’s stomach knotted. His high-ranking position made him believe that he could get away with treating women as objects. Infuriated and intrigued, inspiration struck her. She would teach this arrogant, entitled ass a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget.

  Chapter Three

  Almost instantly, as though her pull had drawn him, Sebastian reappeared, hovering again. He dipped into the empty seat next to her once more. Ashley quickly shoved the iPad into her bag.

  “What do you want, Sebastian?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m giving you fair warning. I’ve had about as much as I am willing to tolerate from you.”

  “Warning noted and filed away for safekeeping.” He cocked his head and smirked. “Have you given my offer any more thought, Ashley? Will you go out with me?” he asked, raising a bushy brow.

  “Actually, I have.” She narrowed her gaze. “I’ll go out with you on one condition.”

  “And that is?” He leaned in, his elbow rested on the slick metal armrest, and he stroked his chin.

  “You promise to keep your hands to yourself unless I say otherwise.”

  His eyes shimmered, a victorious glint. “Yes, ma’am. We have a deal.” Sebastian shifted in his seat.

  “Oh, and Ashley, you will say otherwise. I’ll make sure you do.” The corners of his mouth slanted upward.

  She huffed, releasing the tension that idled in her stiffened shoulders. “Offering full disclosure, if I was you, I wouldn’t get my hopes or anything else up,” Ashley batted her lashes. “Mr. Stone, I suspect you’ve never met a woman quite like me.”

  Sebastian’s eyes flashed more brilliantly than before. “You’re right. I’ve never met a woman like you, which is why I can’t wait to get you alone.”

  “You certainly aren’t lacking confidence, although you’re clearly delusional.”

  “Thank you for the compliment.”

  “That wasn’t a compliment, but then again, narcissists do tend to bend reality to satisfy their egos, don’t they?”

  He chuckled. “Luckily for you, I’m not narcissistic in bed. I’m a generous lover. Are you up for the challenge, Ashley?”

  “Am I up for a challenge?” She tossed her head back, laughing blithely. “Not generally when complete disregard for common sense and good judgment are concerned. I’ll agree to go out with you purely for the entertainment value. Like I said, you keep your hands to yourself. You got that, Mr. Stone?”

  “Unless you say otherwise, right? That’s the most important clause in our little agreement.” He smiled.

  “Ugh! I can’t believe I’ve agreed to this,” she replied, cupping her mouth to fight her gag reflex. “I must have lost my mind.”

  “You’ll be surprised by what I’ll have you agreeing to, Ashley.” Sebastian rubbed his chin. “I believe in fate.” He moved closer, gripped her with his words as his long fingers stroked her forearm. “Of the thousands of people in Atlanta, what are the chances that you and I met for the first time in front of the Carlisle and then end up on the same flight to Key West? Fate will keep thrusting us together until we work this out.”

  Ashley almost spewed out the sip of gin and coke that she had ingested seconds earlier. Luckily for the couple in the seats in front of her, she swallowed. A roaring laugh escaped her lips. An expectant glance met Sebastian’s icicle stare. Expecting him to join her in laughter. He didn’t crack a smile.

  Ashley’s hand flew to her chest. “It’s worse than I thought. You actually believe the crap you’re saying! You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “I’m afraid I’m serious. This principle has se
rved me well in my business dealings for many years.”

  “Sebastian, this is not a business transaction. If fate is the driving force, then why haven’t you and I met before?”

  “Maybe fate had other plans for us, preparing us separately through our individual life experiences for this day.”

  Ashley almost pushed the call button for help. Perhaps one business deal too many had driven Sebastian Stone crazy. She managed to keep a straight face. “Let me get this right. In your opinion, fate is a supernatural force for hookups. You think fate brought us together so that we could have sex?”

  “Of course not. Sex is the perk. You and I have been fated to figure out why our paths continue to cross. Want to test fate?”

  “Absolutely not. I’m not going to encourage your madness. In fact, I’m beginning to rethink this arrangement.”

  “Come on, darlin’. If I’m wrong, you never have to see me again.” His lips curved into a confident smile.

  Ashley’s hand cradled her face. With a tentative pause, she considered his question. What did she have to lose? After all, the man headed a wealthy real estate investment firm. If Sebastian achieved business success following such a ridiculous philosophy about life, his success must have been pure coincidence. Putting his belief to the test might be fun, or at the very least, proving him wrong would be fun.

  “And if I’m right, we’ll go out. You’ll have the best sex of your life with no expectations and no one to pass judgment against you. Either way, we both win. All you have to do is spend time with me in the Keys so that we can get to know each other. Are you in?”

  “You’re wrong, and yeah, I’m in,” she replied coolly. “But no sex,” she reiterated.

  “There you go, darlin’. Keep telling yourself that.” Sebastian’s lusty eyes swept over Ashley and sent a shiver up her spine. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, tell me about yourself. We still have an hour of flying time ahead of us.”