Her eyes widened. “Woman? Are you…”
“No.” His face flamed. This wasn’t how he charmed anyone. He took a deep breath and tried again. “I just mean, with my money and profession, that I’m used to women being easy…I don’t have to think about them.”
She leaned closer, like she was sharing some secret with him as she said, “Well, I’m not difficult.”
A laugh escaped his throat.Seriously? Ashley was the one woman he shouldn’t want, so he winked and said, “You’re the most complicated person I know these days.”
This timeshelaughed and sat back again to read the menu. “Complicated? Have you met my cousin?”
“Cousin?” His mind raced. Ashley sort of did look like a curvier and prettier version of Jennifer.
Her face went completely red, like the firsttime they’d met. She pressed her fingers together as if to say a small prayer and confessed, “Drat. I’ve been under orders since middle school to never mention that Jennifer is my cousin. Our mothers are sisters and she was always the pretty one. I was the “unfortunate” one.”
There was no way Peter and his family knew that about Ashley.
He hoped that nobody ever judged him basedon his father. His heart beat faster and he didn’t blink or move as he said, “I didn’t know you were related to her.”
She nodded and then stared at his chin, avoiding his magnetic blue eyed glance that normally made the audience swoon. “I’m not supposed to talk about it. Her rules since childhood.”
Ashley finished her drink. The waiter came toward them so he reached over and pattedher shoulder to comfort her and said, “She doesn’t want to be outshone.”
“Wait what?” She met his gaze but then as the waiter was between them she opened her menu and quickly ordered lemon buttered chicken.
None of his dates here had ever, ever ordered more than a salad. He chuckled, ordered himself baked chicken and a bottle of white wine for the table, and then waited till theywere alone. “Ashley, you’re honest and expressive and interesting. Every second we talk, I get wowed and don’t know exactly what to do.”
Her eyes wrinkled again just a little like she was confused as she stared at him and said, “That doesn’t sound right. You’ve talked to me the entire time, and I’ve never once thought you were wowed by any woman.”
“None except you.” He traced herfingers and said, “Being nervous near a woman isn’t… my reality.”
Her chin jutted out. “What would make you less nervous?”
“Near you?” His pulse spiked.
If he did take her to bed, maybe he’d be less stressed. Or worse, he’d be more obsessed and want more of her—she was the whole package, funny, beautiful, kind.
It was probably better not to chance it. Ashley was easilythe most tempting woman he’d met, but thenshesaid, “Yeah. It would be nice if we were… closer.”
Tingles went up and down his spine. His body needed satisfaction. He glanced up and down the length of her body, from her dyed blonde locks to her sexy ankles. “Ashley, I want you. I don’t want to keep our relationship professional. I should hold you at arm’s length or send you away, but Iwon’t. I’m more attracted to you than I should be.”
It was like the sun just rose in her eyes, melting his reservations even more as it was like she truly cared for him. Her cheeks were pink and her smile inviting. “There is noshould. I promised to keep far away from your family and yet here I am, with you.”
His family had said nothing but good things about her. He kissed the backof her wrist and said, “Elizabeth wishes you were still around.”
Ashley’s throaty sounds as his lips brushed her skin made him hard. “She was kind to work for.”
“Glad to hear my sister was nice.” Nice was too tame a word for the power of Ashley’s presence right now.
The waiter brought their food, interrupting his seduction. It was probably good that Ashley took her hand backto fix her napkin on her lap. He drank the refilled water to cool himself down too. Once they were alone, Ashley picked up her fork and knife and said, “Elizabeth listened. Not everyone does and she understood about feeling ignored by family, though she didn’t know about Jennifer or our mothers specifically. They act like Jennifer is their pride and joy to this day. I shared some of my story butdidn’t call Jennifer by name.”
He followed her lead and began to eat. Hopefully his super bland chicken would calm his jittery insides. As he cut his food he said, “My sister, like me, was ignored. Our father never told us that he was our father.”
“I’m sorry.” She didn’t move a muscle as she watched him with compassion.
He met her gaze. Her warmth reached his heart and hesqueezed her hand fast before letting her go. “You have nothing to be sorry about.”
They ate in silence. His heart was not normally engaged when he dated. Maybe she had good aim because she knew the people he cared about. Maybe it was just her simplicity, or her true beauty.
Okay, it was just Ashley.
