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“I trusted you,” I whisper, the wordsfalling broken from my lips.
Ash looks pained.
“When I didn’t know your identity, I stilltrusted you. You took care of me. You made me feel safe. But youbroke that trust here tonight. You broke us.”
I force the next words out, my heartbreaking as I say them.
“I don’t ever want to see you again.”
Ash stares back, his expression unreadable.I can’t tell what he’s thinking, and I hate it that I even care.This man has betrayed me worse than anyone, and it still hurts meto see the shadow of pain in his eyes.
I snatch my purse from him and exit thebedroom, heading through the suite towards the exit.
Suddenly, his hand is on my arm, pulling meback around. “Don’t go.”
I look up. My breath catches. He’s lookingat me intensely. Desire and desperation in his eyes.
How dare he?
He steps forward, slowly pushing me backagainst the wall. I should shove back, walk out of here and leavehim behind forever, but for some reason, I can’t move.
His heat rolls through me. His scent hitslike a drug. And most of all, the sheer overwhelming presence ofhim keeps me pi
Hungry.
My eyes flutter shut and I breathe himin.
I hate him.
“Please…” I whisper, and even I don’t knowwhat I’m asking. For him to let me go, or turn me around and fuckme right here up against the wall, like the very first time.
Ash dips his head closer, until I can feelhis breath, hot on my cheek.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, his voice rasping.“I’ll let you go. But this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
He drags his thumb softly across my lips.The feeling goes straight between my thighs. He presses harder,easing my lips apart and sliding his thumb into my mouth.
It takes everything I have not to moan outloud.
It’s crazy how my body responds to him. Evenafter everything, my instincts are still screaming to surrender. Tosuck his finger in and then fall to my knees and suckhim.
He knows. His eyes flash dark. He steps incloser, and presses his body hard against mine.
I shudder. I can feel his cock pushing hardthrough our clothes. Thick and long, and my pussy clenches justremembering how he felt, pounding me relentlessly, splitting mewide open, filling me up.
So fucking good.
“I’ll give you some time,” he repeats,sliding his thumb out of my mouth. “But I’m not giving up. Becauseno matter how mad you are right now, we both know that you lovedthis, JJ. Every fucking minute of it.”
My eyes fly open, in time to see his stare.Blazing. Arrogant.
Before I can protest, his lips crash down onmine, claiming me in a passionate kiss.
Fuck him.
I fight the desire surging through my body,but it’s too strong. I want to fight him off. Push him away. I feelhis tongue in my mouth, his hands trying to distract me, intenseand hard.
Fuck me for letting him do this.
Ash devours me, merciless, until finally, the kissturns tender. Soft and sweet, heart-breakingly slow. He pulls away,caressing my cheek.
He betrayed me, used me, and after all that,he still thinks he can have me. Like I’ll roll over and forgive himfor this without a second thought.
“No, you won’t.” I manage to pull myselftogether and push him away from me. “I don’t need time. We’re over.Send one of your staff to deal with the lawsuit, fly back toEngland, I don’t fucking care. I’m never speaking to youagain.”
With a final glare, I reach the door andpull it open. But just as I’m stepping into the hallway, so closeto leaving him behind forever, his voice comes, loud anddirect.
“Admit it,” he says. “You hoped it would beme.”
CHAPTER TWO
JUSTINE
Ash tries calling, dozens of times, but Iignore them all and delete his texts unread. He wants to meet andexplain, talk for real this time, now that I’ve had a chance tocalm down.
But I don’t feel calm. I don’t feel anythingbut betrayed. I’ve never felt this shitty in my life. I don’t knowwhat to do with myself. When I try to read a book or watch TV, Ican’t concentrate on what’s going on right in front of me. I’mfucking miserable.
So I come up with a plan. I will allowmyself exactly three days of utter misery and high-qualitywallowing, and then I’m going to forget this every happened. Forgetthis asshole ever meant anything to me.
Every time I think about what I did, what Ibegged him to do to me, my stomach twists.
It’s like I’ve been under a spell of lustsince opening that first invitation, and now that spell isshattered. I’m wide awake, but I wish I wasn’t. Because now that Idon’t have that intoxicating cocktail of desire and adrenalinesurging in my veins, there’s nothing to distract me from my brokenheart.
Because he was right.
Those parting words, designed to torment me,are doing just that.
I wanted my mystery man to be Ash. I wantedit to be him so bad.
We’ve been co
Until he revealed he’d been in LA formonths and never even contacted you, I remind myself bitterly.He cut you out of his life, then picked you back up like somedumb toy to play with. He used you, don’t ever forget it.
But why?
The question haunts me as I spiralfull-force into wallowing mode. Ice cream, trashy rom-coms, I’vegot it all covered: slumped on the couch in my sweatpants at 2 inthe afternoon. I have vacation due from work, and I’m in no hurryto get back to LA in the state I’m in. Better to get every lastpiece of heartache out of my system before I fly home and do myvictory walk through those gleaming office doors.
Maybe then I’ll give a damn about wi
My phone rings, just as I’m consideringanother ice cream run to the deli on the corner.
My heart stops.
I check the caller ID and let out a sigh ofrelief. Not Ashton. Just the office.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Justine.” It’s one of the partners, Peyton,sounding smooth as ever. “I know you’re taking a few days off, butI wanted to congratulate you on the Venture case. It’s a big win,in all the papers.”
“Thanks.” I try to sound upbeat. A month agoI’d have been over the moon at a personal call from one of thepartners, but right now, I just feel numb.
“A very nice result,” he adds, like he’scalculating the firm’s percentage. Since my client Adam couldn’tafford to pay our regular retainer, he arranged to give the firm atiny cut of future revenues. But when you’re talking aboutpotential billions, that tiny cut gets big real fast. “In fact,we’re having our bi-a
That gets my attention. “Mentioned how?” Iask.
He laughs again. “Now, now, I shouldn’t havesaid anything. But rest assured, we’re all taking notice of howhard you’ve worked.”
There’s a pause, and I realize he’s waitingfor some ass-kissing. “Well, thank you,” I say, mustering as muchsincerity as I can. “I couldn’t have done it without yourmentorship.” Read: passing off all his unwanted cases, andforgetting my name half the time. “I appreciate theopportunity.”
“Good to hear.” Peyton sounds satisfied.“I’ll keep you updated when we have more news.”
I say goodbye and hang up, holding the phoneto my chest. I should feel ecstatic: I’m close to the promotionI’ve been working so hard for, sacrificing countless late nightsand weekends for years so I could make partner.
Everything I wanted, mine for thetaking.
Except it’s not everythinganymore.
I drag myself off the couch – but only asfar as the kitchen, to grab a glass of water. I catch sight of myreflection in a mirror on the way.