Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit)

by Lauren H. Kelley

  “Kerri, he won’t. This is only about sex to Sebastian. My feelings aren’t invested. I’m not hoping for more.”

  “Ash, I thought you wanted more than another fling? I thought you were trying to move on?”

  “Kerri, I’m being realistic. I’m not like you. Love isn’t meant for me. That doesn’t mean I have to be lonely. Sebastian is the most amazing and attentive lover I’ve had. I can’t describe the feeling. I’m just enjoying the time I have with him.” Kerrigan didn’t say much, only listened. Ashley imagined the self-righteous frown that Kerrigan always wore whenever she disagreed with her choices. “Kerri, are you judging me? Please don’t.”

  She sighed. “No, of course. I’m not judging you. I’m worried about you. Eighteen months. That’s a long time to be with someone and then just walk away. What happens if you fall for him or if he falls for you?”

  Ashley waved dismissively. “Nah, that won’t happen. We’ll never be more than what we are right now.” Just saying the words aloud, Ashley felt a pang roll through her stomach. “This is a long-term fling,” she said, trying to convince herself as much as Kerrigan. “I have needs. He’s a human dildo with a few extra parts,” she teased.

  “Yeah, a few extra parts like a human heart,” Kerrigan scolded.

  By this time, the workers had cleared the sidewalk. Construction debris littered the roadway. She nodded at Kerrigan’s warning as she turned in the direction of the knock at the front door. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Changing the subject to avoid the lecture being given her, “Sebastian is nothing like Paul,” she said, making her way toward the entrance. “He’s not loafing off me for money or a place to live. I know what I’m doing.”

  “Ash, this is one game you shouldn’t play. I don’t want to see you hurt anymore.”

  Another knock sounded at the door. An intense wave of nerves radiated from her belly to every limb and faltered her steps. “Thanks, Kerri. I’ll take that under advisement. Gotta go. I’ll call you later.”

  Ashley hadn’t expected what waited on the other side of the door.

  “Miss Turner, I have a delivery for you,” said the man who introduced himself as Joe.

  The delivery and setup went smoothly. The new mattress and bed were up and ready in less than an hour. Surprised, Ashley still couldn’t believe that Sebastian had done this for her.

  “Just sign here, miss,” Joe said, handing her a chewed ink pen.

  She quickly grabbed a more sanitary option from the table beside the door and smiled. “Got it.”

  When Joe and his crew left, Ashley lay across the new bed, smiling. Sebastian would be coming by later. In fact, she had thought the knock at the door had belonged to him. Wheels turning in her head, the giddiness faded away. What was Sebastian thinking? More importantly, what was she thinking? His motive had been clear, the mattress the very evidence of his intention.

  Sebastian stood beyond the threshold. A black canvas tote slung over his right shoulder rested casually against his back. Black gym pants hung seductively low from his waist. A sly smile parted his lips. “Hey, baby. Are you ready?”

  Ashley couldn’t help the feeling that grounded her feet to the floor, immobilizing her movement. “The name is Ashley, not baby,” she quipped, her tone salty. Kerrigan had given good advice. She needed to keep her emotional distance from Sebastian.

  He waltzed into the room and tossed the bag to the sofa. “You didn’t have a problem with me calling you baby last night. What’s gotten into you?” His aggressive advance sent a shiver up her spine. She flinched.

  A hand flew to her hip. “You bought a mattress and bed for me. A very expensive mattress and bed.” Steam rose from her pores.

  “You needed a bed. I bought one for you.” His frown dragged the corners of his eyes down into a puppy-dog expression.

  Ashley rolled her eyes. “I’m not your girlfriend or your sidepiece. You don’t need to buy expensive furniture for me.”

  Sebastian wrapped his arms around Ashley’s waist, pulling her to him. “You’re equating yourself with a chicken dinner. Are you all right? Did I do something wrong?”

  “Ugh!” She released an exasperated sigh. Ashley struggled to break free of his grip, a useless attempt at independence over his dominance. Her hands shoved firmly against his chest. “Let go of me, Sebastian.”

  He dropped his hands to his sides. His expression seemed to convey hurt. “All right. Since you don’t want to tell me what’s bothering you,” he paced toward the shelving unit opposite the kitchen, “why don’t you tell me about him?” Anger burned in her stomach as Sebastian lifted the picture of Chris from the shelf.

  Ashley bolted across the room and snatched the frame out of Sebastian’s clutch. “Put the frame down, Sebastian,” she demanded. “You have no right getting into my business.”

  Sebastian’s eyes widened. He held the frame behind his back. “Who is he? Are you in love with him?”

  Her heart pounded at his accusation.

  Her throat dried. “He’s none of your business. Now stop with the games, and put my goddamn frame back where you found it,” she yelled, lunging toward him.

  He must have recognized fury in her eyes. Sebastian quickened his gait, skirted past her. Ashley whirled around and reached out. She caught the end of his shirt sleeve, tugging his arm from behind him. Sebastian’s grip loosened and the frame crashed to the floor, shattering glass in all directions. He froze.

  The full force of breath in her lungs exerted, Ashley belted out, “Damn you! You broke my frame.” Her arms fell limp at her sides.

  Sebastian didn’t hesitate. He turned, pulled her into his embrace. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to upset you. I didn’t mean to break the frame.” Like an anaconda, his arms wrapped around her, tightened. “I must admit, my woman having feelings for another man makes me a bit jealous.”

  Ashley squirmed, anger greeting his gaze as she lifted her face to him. “I’m not your woman. I’m your arrangement.”

  Her words, screaming for dignity. Her expression, lacking light in her eyes. The mood, sobering as quiet fell between them. Sebastian released her from his hold. “You’re right.” His jaw tightened, returned a cold glare. “I overstepped.” He reached into the bag on the sofa and handed a folder to her. “I want these changes made and delivered to me later this evening. Meet me at my house at seven.”

  Sebastian didn’t give her a chance to respond. He headed to the front door and paused before leaving. “I made a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

  Ashley threw on her favorite pair of jeans and baby blue crop top. She grabbed the folder from the counter, slid on red sling back wedges, and headed to the elevator. She jabbed the L repeatedly with her knuckle, taking out her frustration on the helpless backlit button.

  Maybe Kerrigan was right. The arrangement might be more than she could handle. On the drive to Sebastian’s house, Ashley mulled over the situation and her options. Thirty-five minutes later, her car pulled in front of a grand craftsman-style home. Her fingers clung to the steering wheel as she stared at the earthy, moss-colored house. Drawing in a deep breath, she opened the door and planted a foot on the driveway. As she made her way over to the large wraparound porch, inspiration struck. Strength girding her, she knew what to do next.

  The door swung opened before her foot landed on the step’s first tread.

  “Right on time.” Sebastian’s charlatan smile made her stomach roll. “Come on in. There’s something I want you to see.”

  Sebastian standing in the door, dressed in khaki shorts and casual T-shirt, almost made her forget her reason for being there.

  Ashley sputtered a quiet, “Oh, okay,” and then followed him into the house that was more like a bachelor’s pad than a home.

  She had never been to Sebastian’s house. The walls were bare. The tattered sofa must have survived his college days. Ashley wore her thoughts on her face.

  “I moved in a few days before I left for the Keys. The place needs some
work,” he said, as though reading her mind.

  Ashley handed the folder to Sebastian. “You can say that again. I suppose the renovation of the Carlisle building doesn’t help.” She shrugged tight shoulders. “At the very least, you should get rid of the frat-house sofa.” She pointed to the plaid monstrosity that occupied two thirds of the living room.

  His gaze followed hers as she panned the room. “I could do that,” he said, a smile formed on incriminating lips.

  “You need to,” she said, a disapproving head nod returned.

  “Darlin’, I’d invite you to come sofa shopping with me, but I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about us,” he teased. “Wouldn’t want you to act like my girlfriend.”

  Ashley rolled her eyes. “Knock it off, Sebastian.”

  No pictures or knickknacks were anywhere in sight in the room. He led them to the back of the house. As they whisked past the family room, she noted that even the mantel above the stone fireplace had been left bare. A small chair and table were the only items in the room.

  “I hope this space is more suited to your standards.” He raised a brow and held out a hand, making an introduction to his home office.

  Ashley’s sweeping glance scoped the room. “This is much better,” she said, an approving grin his reward.

  Sebastian swiped a hand across his brow, illustrating pretend relief. “I’m glad to have your approval. Please have a seat.”

  Ashley eased into the high-back, upholstered chair. Sebastian rifled through the folder and sat in the matching seat beside hers. He studied the contents of the folder quietly. Ashley’s eyes danced throughout the space. Across the room on his desk, a small silver frame caught her eye. She squinted, trying to make out the image in the frame.

  Sebastian lifted his head. “This is really good. I’d like you to present the plan at the meeting on Monday afternoon.”

  Ashley tore her eyes away from the frame with lightning speed. She shifted in her seat and adjusted her gaze to him. “Great. I’m glad you like the adjustments I made to the plan.”

  Sebastian needed to invest in better quality T-shirts. Either the thin material welded to his chest or Ashley’s nerves for what she prepared to do next had caused a warm sensation to flow through her chest and spread to her stomach in waves.

  Breaking her internal musing, “I have something to show you. Follow me,” he said and then stood.

  Ashley stayed fixed to the seat. “I want you to tell me about her.” She spoke softly,

  Sebastian stopped. He braced the door frame. “Tell you about who?” His voice tensed.

  “Your wife. Tell me about your wife, and I’ll tell you about the man in the photo.”

  “You mean my late wife,” he said flatly. “No.” His terse reply filled the room as he turned toward her.

  Ashley rose. Stern eyes met his grimacing mug. “Why not? You asked me about the photo.”

  His forehead wrinkled. Sebastian brought a hand to his brow as though he could massage away the hurt held captive behind his icy glare. “Because,” he said, his tone relaxed. “I don’t want to talk about her. Whatever you read or heard about Ellie is all you need to know.” Just saying her name seemed painful for him. “Besides, you were right…”

  “He was my fiancé,” Ashley interrupted. “We were supposed to be married on my birthday.”

  “Ashley,” Sebastian said, a frown plastered to his lips. “You were right before, at your place.” He bounded toward her. “I don’t need to know about him. You don’t need to know about Ellie. Let’s keep things between us simple, uncomplicated.” His hands rested on her hips.

  Ashley’s heart sank. Despite his subtle delivery, his meaning had been clear. “All right. Fine. We don’t need to get too personal.” She raised a dismissive hand, creating space between their compressed bodies.

  “Come with me. There’s something you need to see.” His hand dropped to his sides. Sebastian turned and made his exit.

  Ashley followed him. As they neared the end of the hall, a faint sound came from the last door on the right. The familiar sound grew louder as they approached.

  Sebastian paused in front of the door. Slowly he turned the knob. Catching her eyes, he smiled. “I think you’re really going to like what I have to show you.”

  Ashley raised a curious brow. “Okay, enough with the build. What’s behind that door?”

  He opened the door. She made a quick assessment, her eyes scanned the large room and landed on the source of the sound she had heard. Ashley cupped her mouth in disbelief. “Copper! Oh, Copper!” she yelled, and bolted across the floor, scooping the little fur ball into welcoming arms. Cooper barked and wiggled, tried to lick her face.

  Ashley whirled around. Sebastian, stood at the door, a hand remained on the knob. “How did you…” She couldn’t hide the excitement that burst from every pore. “Where did you find him?”

  “Remember the red robin I told you about?”

  Ashley rolled her eyes. “Yes. What does that stupid bird have anything to do with your finding my dog?”

  “Well,” he said, as he strolled toward her. “I had asked my buddy Daniel to help find Copper, but he didn’t find any leads. I went to the building Thursday morning to handle some business. I was standing on the curb talking through some details with a few of the construction crew when the robin caught my eye. The little thing had been fluttering frantically around one of the shrubs at the front of the building, almost like it was trying to get my attention.” He stared past her, as though remembering the moment. “I walked to the shrub, and that’s when I saw Copper. He was curled up underneath the bush.”

  “Really?” A hand mounted her hip. Ashley gave Sebastian a skeptical grin. “Copper never goes to strangers willingly, without a fight.”

  “I’m not finished.” He lifted his right hand. “I learned that the hard way.” His hand wore the mark of his scuffle with Copper. “I saw his leash attached to an adjacent lamppost. A woman on a cell phone a few feet away came barreling toward me. She asked if I was Copper’s owner. I said no, but I told her that I knew his owner.”

  “She just gave Copper to you?” Ashley asked as she placed an overly excited Copper on the floor.

  “Not exactly. She seemed suspicious of me even after I told her my name and that I own the Carlisle. Thankfully, Cassie walked by us on her way into the office. She spoke to me first, confirming my identity. That’s when Mrs. Wright handed over the leash.”

  On the floor, Copper ran laps around them, circling their legs as he panted and yelped for attention. Ashley peered down at him, an uncontrollable grin spread across her face. Rising on tippy-toes, “Thank you,” she said, and threw her arms around his neck. “My hero.”

  Sebastian’s hands found her waist. He peeled her off him, forcing her back so that he could look into her cheerful eyes. “You’re welcome,” he said, closing the distance between them with a tender kiss planted on her forehead. “I would have given him to you sooner, but I wanted to make sure he was Copper. I had his microchip checked. I also had a vet see him. He’s perfectly healthy.”

  “Sebastian, I can’t thank you enough. Copper is the only joy in my life. I’ve had him since he was a puppy and I’ve been depressed without him. He’s the only good thing I’ve got in my life.”

  His head jerked back. “Well, thanks,” he said. “I guess I’m useless.”

  Ashley lowered her head and then met his frowning face. “That’s not what I meant, but you and I… well, you know.” She halted her words, and turned her eyes down again. “I just meant that Copper is the one thing in my life that has been steady. A girl needs a little stability in the uncertainty of life,” she said, her smile meeting his focused stare, eyes set deep beneath a wrinkled brow.

  Sebastian looked as though he wanted to counter her remark. Instead, he remained quiet, only continued staring at her. “You’re welcome, all the same. If you really want to make it up to me…” He stopped and reached for Ashley’s hand, pulling her
from the spare room.

  Giggling, Ashley went willingly down the hall with him. Copper followed, yelping and playing behind them.

  Sebastian scooped up Copper. “Oh, no you don’t. You can have her back when I’m all done,” he said, giving Ashley a smoldering look that shot sensations straight to her girlie parts.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Under the conference table, Sebastian tightened his hold on Ashley’s hand. He leaned to the side, whispered in her ear, “Hey, are you okay? There’s no reason for you to be nervous. You’ve done a fantastic job. Do it just like we practiced. You’ll be fine.” She smelled like heaven. The sweet and spicy fragrance she wore matched her grit and determination.

  She squeezed his hand in return and leaned into his right shoulder. He couldn’t get enough of those big brown eyes now peering up at him, seeking approval. “Thank you. I have a lot riding on this project as you know. Axel won’t ease up, and I really want this promotion.”

  At the mention of his name, Axel waltzed into the conference room. Ashley loosened her hand from Sebastian’s grip and sat up straight. Sebastian knew Ashley would be nervous, especially being the only woman in the room. Not helping matters, Axel’s permanent scowl and transfixed stare pierced a hole through Ashley. The only time the man seemed to soften had been around his wife Kerrigan.

  Around the table, Sebastian, six other businessmen, and Ashley’s boss Axel all turned eyes on her as Axel spoke. “Ashley is here to present our plan for the Carlisle. I know she and Sebastian have spent countless hours drafting and revising the plan that you are about to see.”

  Sebastian squeezed her knee. Ashley cleared her throat. “Gentlemen, I know your interest today is in how we plan to market the Carlisle. Each of you gentlemen is considering entering into lease agreements based on how much potential traffic and business this plan will generate. I do appreciate your coming into town to tour the facility and to see firsthand why we are excited about this property.”

  Axel arched a brow.