by L. Steele
He’s right.
No fucking way is that going to happen. Sienna belongs to him and he is going to make sure everyone here gets that message loud and clear.
Jace doesn't stop to wonder when the business arrangement between him and Sienna turned so personal
17
Sienna
Asher's room in the hotel is not even half the size of the suite I share with Jace. I am shivering from the walk through the garden. The cool air has also cleared my head a little, bringing with it a dawning realization of what I've done.
The one chance I had to get the money and rescue my business and I've blown it. That's it, then. I can kiss the money from Jace goodbye. I swear inwardly.
I had taken up Asher's challenge to follow him into the pool. Worse. I. Had. Stripped. Bare. In front of all the guests.
I cover my face and groan aloud.
As if that were not enough, I'd made sure Jace had seen me leave with Asher. Had dared him to follow. I had provoked him.
And I can't understand why I'd done it.
Because I'd been drunk? Too far gone to care about the reason I had come here in the first place? No, that's not true. I knew what I’d been doing.
I'd goaded Jace. I'd wanted to get him to react, to find out if he feels anything for me.
I wanted to provoke him. Make him feel jealous. Wanted to make him feel the way I do when I see him. Make him want me the way I want him.
And I'd also been jealous of the emotions I'd seen on his face as he talked with Asher at the hotel.
Somewhere in the last few days, I'd begun to want this man. The need to possess him is slowly taking root.
I'd let the lust inside come to the fore. And now I am going to pay for it.
Jace's going to walk away from the bargain, and I am going to lose everything.
As these thoughts run through my head, Asher looks at me and says, "Why don't you take a shower? You look cold."
I purse my lips. "Are you also going to use that line with me?"
"Why?" He asks, his face expressionless. "Is that what he said to you?"
I don't need to ask who Asher is referring to. There is only one 'he' as far as we're both concerned.
Without bothering to reply, I walk into toward the bathroom.
"Wait," he calls out before I can shut the door.
He rummages around in the chest of drawers by the wall near the bathroom, before handing me a pair of jeans, shirt, a belt.
I walk out after the shower with the jeans rolled up almost double. It's held up by tying the belt twice around my waist.
Asher has changed too. He's bare-chested, and wearing comfortable pajama bottoms. They mold to his thighs and hang around his hips. Sculpted chest and a flat stomach. Well defined muscles, angle down into a 'V' toward his groin area.
Once again, he looks to have stepped straight out of a fashion advertisement. This man is gorgeous.
Too perfect.
Unlike Jace, who has a rougher, more natural appeal. The kind I prefer to the manufactured prettiness on display in front of me now.
"You look good." Asher says.
"No way." I laugh, running my hands through my damp hair which lies in raggedy tails around my face.
"You don’t know your own appeal, do you? Perhaps that's what Jace likes."
I stare in disbelief, and he chuckles. Walking to the bar, Asher pulls out a bottle of whiskey, pours two glasses. A good-sized portion of the golden-brown liquid from the bottle disappears into the glasses.
"Here."
I walk toward him, taking the offered glass.
"What should we drink to?" he asks.
I look from him to the glass, then back at him. "To Jace."
His eyebrows shoot down over his nose, before his eyes crinkle. "To Jace's girlfriend."
He clinks his glass to mine, throws the liquid down his throat.
When he slams his glass back on the table, his hand is unsteady. He's not as calm as he seems.
I recall again the look on his face when Jace had turned away from him outside the bar.
Something doesn't quite add up, but I can't put my finger on it. Then that thought too fades as Asher walks to the bed in the center of the room. He flings himself on one end, on the covers. Pats the space next to him.
I hesitate.
"Do I have to dare you once more?" A wicked smile lights up his face. "Besides, I'm harmless. Relatively."
His eyes fall on my lips, travel down to the thrust of my breasts.
Desire shimmers off him.
It surprises me, the sexuality that swirls around this guy. It's like he's wearing a cloak, a tangible, living, breathing need that moves with him. A vivid image of Asher pulling Jace to him flashes across my mind.
Asher is still in love with Jace. And he'd invited me to his room, and now he's trying to seduce me. Why?
A frisson of disquiet runs down my spine.
Harmless, my ass.
Still, I can't help but be impressed at his audacity. He knows I'm Jace's girlfriend, that Jace would hardly be pleased by what he's done.
Asher'd thumbed his nose at the entire Walker clan. Sent a clear signal to them that he didn't care about their money, or their prestige. And for that, at least, I admire him.
As the adrenaline from the evening wears off, a slight drowsiness creeps over me.
"I should go back to my own room."
I don’t turn to leave. Don't move toward the bed either.
"You don't want to be alone tonight." Asher's voice is soft, unthreatening. He folds his arm behind his head, throwing his chest in sharp relief.
The thought of going back to my own room is unappealing. I've already burnt my bridges with Jace. Nothing I do can make it worse.
Can it?
Besides, I'm tired. As I think that, a wave of fatigue washes over me. I want to take the weight off my legs. It won't matter if I lie down.
I walk around the bed and, placing my still-filled glass on the side table, flop on the other side of the bed. As far away from Asher as possible.
We sit there for a few seconds and when he doesn't make any further move to reach out to me, my muscles begin to relax.
"So, how did he get you to do this?" he asks.
I pause, take a sip of my own drink.
"Do what?" I ask, my voice innocent.
"You know exactly what I mean."
"Jace is my boyfriend," I say, not looking at him.
"Right," he says in a voice that implies he doesn't believe me at all. "So what are you doing here with me, Sienna? In the middle of the night."
I exhale a soft breath, not replying. I don’t know what to say. Not when even I'm not sure why I am doing this. What's compelling me to do everything possible to anger Jace. Do I resent what he's making me feel? That he's making me want him. Even as I know everything he's pretending to feel for me is a sham. There's no way our relationship can ever become a reality.
In the silence that follows, Asher places his glass down with a snap. The sound cuts through the thoughts whirling around in my head.
Asher rolls over, bridging the distance between us. Before I can react, he flings his body over mine, imprisoning me.
I edge back against the pillows, my head hitting the headboard.
He's close enough now for me to make out the individual lines at the corners of his eyes. The fine lines on his forehead, barely covered by the dark blond hair that falls over it in waves. It cascades down to below his shoulders.
Without meaning to, my gaze tracks down his bare chest. And further down to the unmistakable swell of where his erection presses against the thin material of his pajamas.
It's almost like he's drawn the best from both genders. Masculinity tempered with a smoother, more tender feel around the edges.
He lifts his eyes to my face. Hooded eyes, half closed now and shining. Heat spools off him, curling around me again. So, different than the more aggressive warmth from Jace.
Eyes
glittering, Asher moves closer. His pulse beats faster, the skin at the base of his throat jumping, as his breath brushes over my lips.
His eyes swivel up to meet mine, in them I see a question and curiosity.
18
Sienna
Asher's head descends toward me. I turn away at the last moment. His lips brush my cheek instead.
"You smell good," he brings his nose to the hollow of my neck, sniffs. Adds in a thoughtful voice, "Earthy, almost chocolaty, and yet there's something … a spicy undertone."
He brushes his nose against my skin.
"Don't." My voice comes out breathless.
He stares into my eyes, his violet irises so vivid they feel electric.
I push against his shoulder trying to put some distance between us when there's a knock on the door.
Asher lets go, leans back.
My breath catches in my throat and my heart slams against my ribs as I stare at Asher, my eyes wide with shock.
I know who it is.
But Asher is already sliding over me. His feet hit the floor with a thud. His face is smooth. Calm.
I'd been expecting Jace to come here searching for us. It’s why I'd let Asher play me all along. Been his willing accomplice in creating this set up for Jace to walk in on.
Asher walks to the door. Opening it, he steps aside, letting Jace see me. In Asher's bed. Wearing Asher's clothes.
Looking flushed, as if we've been making love.
Jace comes to an abrupt halt. Asher grips his arm and pulls him in. Jace doesn't even notice. He hasn't taken his eyes off me. And I'm watching him, too.
Jace's features are frozen. Eyes narrow, liquid silver. Emotions race across his face, before he blanks his face completely.
A mask.
If I'd thought he'd been difficult to read before, now he feels unreachable.
"Why don't we—" Asher begins, only for Jace to put up a palm, stopping him mid-sentence.
Asher stops, a hurt expression twisting his features. Asher still cares for Jace. That's why he asked me to his room. To make him jealous.
I almost laugh aloud.
Both Asher and I had the same goal in mind. To use each other to get Jace's attention.
Well, we've succeeded.
A shiver of apprehension runs down my spine.
Jace turns and walks out.
And that hurts.
Like I've hurt him.
Silence.
Sliding from the bed, I force myself to put one foot in front of the other. To walk out of the room and catch up with Jace.
We stay quiet as we walk through the garden. My bare feet press down on the stones, pebbles scraping my feet. I wince, but keep moving. When I stumble, almost fall, Jace doesn’t even look back. He can't bear to touch me.
My heart twists.
I deserve it.
Reaching the main building, we walk through the deserted lobby, up a staircase to our suite.
The door whispers shut.
Jace stalks to the window, looks out, hands thrust into his pockets, his back a solid, impenetrable wall of muscle.
Seconds stretch. Slide into minutes. Beyond him, the window looks out on a darkened piece of night.
As dark as the atmosphere in this room.
And we still stay as we are.
I shiver, goose bumps on my skin, becoming aware too I'm still dressed in Asher's clothes.
Fuck.
I know when I'm being punished.
I'd been curious what he'd do if I broke every rule. Broke through the walls he'd built around him.
I'd expected him to be angry, to rage at me. Perhaps even try to take me to bed. Either way I'd hoped to feel his emotions. Find out if he feels for me.
I hadn't expected him to completely blank me like this. Pretend I don't exist.
Unable to bear it, I finally break the silence, "I didn't sleep with him."
He doesn't turn around.
Nothing.
A sliver of anger at being ignored ripples down my spine. I hurt him, I am not the injured party here. And yet, I've had enough. I want to force a reaction from him.
I walk to him, reach out a hand. Let it fall to my side without touching him.
I'd been mistaken. He's not withdrawn or blanking me.
He's not just angry.
He's... livid.
The rage leaps off him, crackling the air around him. I realize then how big a mistake I've made.
I'd wanted to see the man behind the walls he'd put up to the world. Nothing has prepared me for what I'm about to unleash.
I take a step back, but it's too late.
He turns, snaps his eyes on mine. Gold sparks among the silver-green. I've pushed him over the edge.
The anger inside him is a living, breathing thing that threatens to pounce on me. Fear and ... desire curl in my belly, taking me by surprise.
I see the rawness of this man for the first time. Face that part of him he's kept caged so far. And I'm not sure I'm ready for it.
I also sense something beyond anger. Hurt. I've hurt this man. Let him down in front of his family.
Sure, he'd brokered a deal with me, but at some level he'd also put his future in my hands. He'd trusted me.
I'd acted like a rebellious child and broken his trust.
And when I'd seen him with Asher, I'd been so jealous. I'd realized then I couldn't bear to see him with anyone else. Hated him at some level for making me want to care for him, despite the control he had over my future.
And then I couldn't stop.
Well, now I've ruined everything. For him. For me.
I'd expected to feel satisfied at showing him up, but all I feel is regret.
For the first time since I met him, I wish there was a chance for us to have met in different circumstances. Not like this, when there's a business transaction between us.
I must make amends. And perhaps at the end of all this I'll have to walk away to my broken life with nothing to show for it. So, be it. The least I can do now is apologize.
"I'm sorry," I murmur. "I shouldn't have let you down."
Jace's eyes widen, but there's no other reaction on his face.
Instead he says something that surprises me. "Stay away from Asher." His voice is soft but the violence beneath, unmistakable.
"Jealous?"
A flare of hope leaps to life.
His jaw hardens, a vein beating at his temple. "Asher's unpredictable."
"More than me?" I ask.
It doesn’t even draw a chuckle from him.
I flush.
"He'll hurt you, like he hurt my mother." His voice is hard. "He was only twenty-one when he seduced her. He slept with my mother, for fuck's sake. I walked in on the two of them, in my bed. But even that didn't stop her from falling in love with him. He was using her to get my attention. And when Asher turned her down, my mother killed herself."
The words come rushing out and I recoil.
He'd walked in on me and Asher exactly as he had walked in on Asher and his mother. I can't even begin to understand how that must feel. The hurt radiates from him, and I cringe.
The full repercussions of my actions hit home.
I not only broke our agreement, but made him relive the worst nightmare of his life.
19
Sienna
"I am so sorry," I whisper. It sounds so inadequate.
I'd betrayed him, and before those who mattered to him. Now all I can feel is this compulsion to put things right.
"Let me make it up to you," I say, my voice soft.
His nostrils flare. Can he sense the conflicting emotions inside me?
The fury on his face gives away to a more assessing look. His eyes narrow, giving him a predatory aspect―one I associate with the Jace I’d heard about by reputation—the spoilt, eccentric multi-millionaire.
His eyes sear a path down my body, touching on the hollows of my throat, over my breasts, dipping down my waist, between my legs.
&nbs
p; His intent clear.
I know he wants me.
I've been drawn to Jace from the moment I set eyes on him. I want to take him to bed. But is sleeping with him a last-ditch attempt to salvage our arrangement? So, I can still get the money.
I hesitate, unsure what to do.
When his eyes drop to my lips I shiver.
He waits. The moment stretches till I can't take it anymore.
He's waiting for me to make the first move. Patience has never been my strong point.
I stand up on tip-toe, touch my lips to his. Just a brush.
My eyelids flutter down.
That pine and clove smell of his surrounds me, drawing at me, coaxing me to get closer.
Heat spirals out from him, twisting around me, and I moan in my throat. The vibrations ripple toward my breast, hardening my nipples and down further, joining the liquid space between my legs.
Still he doesn't move.
My eyes fly open, and the breath catches in my throat. Those silvery-green pools shimmer with hunger. But his expression is calm, his features almost relaxed.
He's still waiting.
Waiting for me to show him. That I'm ready for him.
Ready for 'this,' whatever it is.
There's also a warning in his gaze. He's holding himself back. If he lets go this time, nothing can stop him.
I hesitate, only a millisecond. But his eyes widen, and then the silver-green turns opaque, as if all the emotions have leached out from it. His jaw hardens and tension vibrates from him.
I can't take it.
Can't take this indecision that's crawling through me, making my head whirl with repressed feelings. I'm afraid. And excited. And shocked at my arousal. At how turned on I am by this man's presence.
Leaning on tip toe, I brush my lips across his. Once. Twice.
No response.
I deepen the kiss, thrust my tongue through his lips, forcing his mouth open.
He takes a step back to rest his hips against the window ledge. I move with him.
