by Levine, Nina
Something that doesn’t happen often occurs—a memory of my mother flashes through my mind. I picture the two of us laughing at McDonalds after she took me to netball practice. I suck in a breath. This was right before she died.
I let the memory consume me, the world becoming non-existent in that moment. It’s not until the woman touches me on the arm that I realise I got lost in my thoughts.
“Are you okay?” she asks, her voice full of warmth.
Smiling, I nod. “Yeah… I just got lost there for a second. And I try never to judge anyone, especially parents.”
“Happens to the best of us. Some of us get lost for full nights at a time.”
I frown, not quite sure where she’s coming from with the last part of that.
She waves in the air and says, “Kids. Husbands. You’ll understand one day.”
I hope so.
I nod towards the field. “Your son’s playing?”
“Yes. Bradley loves his soccer. I love the peace and quiet I get when my two children are separated.” I love her honesty.
“This is my first time here. I’m with my friend’s nephew, Tony.”
She chuckles. “Oh, I could tell it was your first time, honey. And that you weren’t here with your own child.”
“How?”
She sighs. “You still have that youthful glow that announces to the world that you haven’t been sucked into the parenting vortex yet. And you’re hardly dressed for mummy duty.” Her gaze travels to my heels that are sinking into the grass as we speak.
“You’re not dressed for it either. And you don’t look much older than me.” She doesn’t. Even up close, there’s hardly a wrinkle on her face. And her slim body could easily pass as someone way younger than me. This woman is your classic blonde bombshell with her tousled bob, heavily made-up eyes and lips, and a sexy aura that clings to her even in the frazzled state I found her in.
Her brows rise. Looking down, she puts a foot forward to show me the flats she is wearing. I hadn’t noticed them before. I’d been so transfixed by her beauty and personality that I hadn’t taken in the rest of her.
I bet this woman has men falling all over her.
She holds her hand out to me. “Alessandra Spencer. We can be friends because you say all the right things. For the record, I’m thirty-five, and I only tell people I like that.”
I shake her hand, but before I can introduce myself, a whistle sounds loudly from the field and the commotion happening there attracts our attention.
The coach has obviously made a call that upset one of the parents because he’s involved in a heated discussion with a father. Both men appear enraged.
As their voices filter my way, my senses go into overdrive.
I know that voice.
“Oh, God….”
“What?” Alessandra asks.
“He’s the coach?” To say I’m stunned that I’m standing here staring at Ashton Scott is an understatement. I would never have picked him for a soccer coach.
“Yes. He’s not a crowd favourite, though,” she replies as she watches another couple of parents circle Ashton, all giving him their opinion on whatever he did.
“It’s no wonder—he’s an arrogant ass.”
She turns to face me. “You know him?”
I meet her gaze. “Well, I wouldn’t say I know him, but I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him, if you could call it that, and let’s just say I was less than impressed.”
Alessandra stares at me for a couple of moments and then her face breaks out into a huge grin. “I can just tell that you and I are going to be great friends. Anyone who is that honest about my brother is someone I need in my life.”
Her brother?
Well, shit.
I swallow down the small amount of remorse I feel for insulting her brother. Holding out my hand, I say, “It’s great to meet you, Alessandra, sister to the most arrogant man I’ve met. My name is—”
A deep voice cuts into our conversation. “Lorelei Winters.”
I spin around to find Ashton Scott standing less than three feet away, his eyes boring into mine.
Oh, God.
Those eyes.
I straighten. “Ashton.”
“Lorelei.”
Oh, God.
That voice.
Tension swirls around us.
A delicious tension that I hadn’t noticed the last time we met.
As we stand in silence watching each other, Alessandra says, “Oh, my, this is going to be fun.”
Neither of us move.
Neither of us shift our attention from the other.
And when his smouldering gaze travels the length of me before finding my eyes again, my legs feel weak, and I know this could get messy.
6
Ashton
“You’re at McDonalds?” Jessica’s disbelief blares loudly. I might not be standing in front of her, but even over the phone, I can picture the look of shock I know is on her face.
I continue watching Lorelei as she stands in line to order food with Tony and her friend. “Yes.”
“Well, I’m going to call it because I’ve heard it all now.”
“Call what?”
“You’ve finally lost the plot. What the hell has possessed you? I mean, can you even remember the last time you were in a McDonalds?”
My gut tightens as I consider what has possessed me. “I’m pursuing a deal.”
“Bullshit, Ashton. You don’t close deals in fucking fast-food joints.” She pauses for a second. “Fuck me, are you chasing a woman? Because there’re only two reasons a man like you does shit—for work or for his dick.”
Lorelei’s laughter floats through the air.
Jesus Christ.
I’ve never been entranced by a woman’s laughter before, but Lorelei’s laugh causes me some pain as my cock hardens.
“You should go home,” I direct Jessica.
“And you should stop bossing me around.”
“I’m your boss, Jessica. That’s my job.” I crane my neck to watch Lorelei bend to retrieve something off the floor. A child has partially blocked my view, but I manage to catch a glimpse. Her fitted black dress barely covers half her thighs, and I watch as more of those toned legs are revealed to me.
“And you do it so well,” she says. “I just called to make sure you’re all set for your meeting tomorrow morning with the Brentley Group.”
“Fuck, I meant to get you to reschedule that meeting. I’m picking Jack up from the airport in the morning, and I’ll need to keep my day free to spend with him. Do I have anything else on tomorrow?”
She takes a minute before coming back to me. “Nothing I can’t postpone. You want me to do anything for Jack?”
I push my fingers through my hair as knots form in my shoulders. “Yes, can you phone Dr Winthrop and have him on standby. I’m going to convince Jack to see him in the next couple of days.”
“Shit, is he bad again?” Jessica knows all too well the history here.
“Yeah, I’m worried this time.”
“I’m on it. And, Ashton?”
“What?”
Her voice softens. “You can only do so much for him. You can’t force someone to change and get better. That’s on Jack.”
“Jessica, there aren’t many people in this world that I’d give everything up for. Jack’s one of those people and I’ll move heaven and fucking hell to get him better.” My tone is a little harsher than I’d meant, but fuck, every word I said is true.
“I know,” she says. And then—“I’ll leave you to your vagina hunting now.”
I shake my head as we end the call. Jessica has a way with words. She would have to be the crassest woman I know, but then again, she does think of women in the same way as most men do.
“Are you going to order something to eat?” Alessandra asks as she and the kids come back to the table.
“You should get nuggets,” Sadie says as she sits next to me. She immediately begins unpacking
the meal Alessandra has bought her.
“Why nuggets?” I’m always interested in Sadie’s reasons for things. She has a mind that works in such an abstract way.
“So I can share them.” She shoves a fry in her mouth and grins at me.
I return her smile and ruffle her hair. “Of course, makes perfect sense to me, pumpkin.”
“So much like her uncle,” Alessandra says with mock exasperation.
Directing a grin at her, I stand and say, “And her father.”
Alessandra rolls her eyes. “Go, before that line gets too long.”
She’s right—the line is almost out the door. On my way to the end, I catch Lorelei’s eye. Actually, I catch her watching me and take in the blush that spreads across her cheeks and down her neck when she realises I caught her.
Fuck me.
I can’t recall the last time I made a woman blush.
It’s fucking hot.
She quickly turns away and engrosses herself in conversation with her friend again. I take my place in the back of the line and continue watching her.
I’ve dated my fair share of women but not once have I dated a redhead. Lorelei’s long red hair was the first thing I noticed about her on Monday. Right before I got a glimpse of her eyes—beautiful green eyes that I’m sure see everything. I may have met her on a day she’d clearly come straight to work from the night before, when she wasn’t at her best, but I could see the sharp workings of her brain.
My mind wanders, not for the first time this week, to thoughts of where she’d come from that morning. It’s almost killed me not looking into whether she’s involved with anyone, but I’ve spent the better part of my time talking myself out of pursuing her. She infuriated me enough on Monday morning to never want anything to do with her, but by the time I left her office the second time that day, intrigue had settled in. My feelings on the matter have alternated all week. And now I find myself back on the side of wanting her.
She places her order and makes her way to where the team is sitting once she has her food. I wait with only shards of patience for my turn to order. When I finally have nuggets, fries, and two milkshakes, I head back to Alessandra’s table.
Sadie eyes me expectantly and I grin as I hand over the nuggets. When I place the milkshakes in front of her and her brother, Bradley, Alessandra glares at me. I simply shrug.
“I can’t wait for the day you have children,” she mutters. “I’m going to be the most favourite auntie in the whole damn world.”
I chuckle as I reach for a nugget. “I would expect nothing less, Aly. Until then, I’m going to continue being the most favourite uncle in the world.”
We finish eating and I forget my infatuation with watching Lorelei while I dedicate my complete attention to Sadie and Bradley. The time I have with these two is sacred time. No deal or meeting comes before them. Hell, they’re the only people in the world I’d eat McDonalds for.
“So,” Alessandra says after we’ve all finished eating, “are you able to fill in for coach again next week?”
I eye her. The way she’s asked is as if she expects this to be a hard sell. I jumped at the opportunity when she asked me last week to fill in; I’m hardly going to say no this time. “I’ll clear my diary. Any Thursday afternoon is yours.”
Her eyes widen before narrowing at me. “What’s the catch?”
“For God’s sake, Aly, I’m not a fu—” I catch myself before swearing in front of the kids. “I’m not a monster. There’s no catch.”
“You have been pretty assholey for the last few months, Ashton. I hope you know that.”
“What does assholey mean?” Sadie asks.
Alessandra turns her attention to her daughter. “It means he’s been really cranky and treating people badly. But you can’t use that word. It’s an adult only word.”
Sadie takes that in and nods. “So it’s a daddy word?”
I smirk. Malcolm has a tendency to use many words that Alessandra would prefer he avoid. It’s a constant source of irritation for them.
Alessandra glares at me again for a moment. “I shouldn’t have said it, darling. Your uncle inspires me sometimes.”
I wink at Sadie as she smiles up at me. Wanting to change the subject, I say, “Who wants to come over and hang out with Jack this weekend?”
Both Sadie and Bradley’s eyes light up. They adore Jack. “Me, me!” they both exclaim with delight.
Looking at Alessandra, I ask, “Can I have them for a few hours one day?”
A smile twitches on her face. “You seriously think I’d say no to that?”
“Well, assholey runs in the family, so you do have your moments,” I deadpan and fight the urge to give her more hell when she rolls her eyes again. But Alessandra has her limits and I try never to reach them.
“Okay, it’s a date. I’ll let you know which day once Jack gets settled,” I say as I stand.
“Thanks for today,” Alessandra says, her voice softer. Her gratitude is clear. My sister doesn’t ask me for much, so when she does, I know she really needs me.
I bend and place a kiss on each of the kids' heads. Nodding at Alessandra, I say, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Try not to commit bodily harm on your husband tonight.” Then, I turn to Bradley. “Great game today, mate. We can kick a ball around on the weekend. Jack will be up for that, too.” The huge smile he gives me is all I need to know I’d clear every Thursday for the rest of my life for him if need be.
I head out to my car and am welcomed by the sight of those toned legs that I’m beginning to think would look spectacular under me.
Lorelei’s reaching into her car for something, and when she leans back out and straightens, I’m standing next to her. “Shit, Ashton, way to shave a few years off a woman’s life,” she says.
“I won’t tell you what you do to a man’s life expectancy,” I murmur. I can imagine she’s inflicted hurt to many men’s hearts in her lifetime.
My words seem to confuse her and lines wrinkle her forehead as she frowns. “I don’t know what you mean by that.”
I lean in so our faces are close. “It means that you’d only have to give a man a skerrick of attention, let alone treat him to that sharp tongue of yours, and he’d be in danger of deadly damage.”
Her sudden intake of breath is the only sound I hear. The effect I have on her is intoxicating.
“I have to go, but it was good seeing you again,” she mumbles.
“Really? I wouldn’t have thought you’d want to see me again after Monday.”
“Well, I was using my manners.” Her no-bullshit approach impresses the hell out of me.
“Manners are always a good way to go.”
Her lips quirk. “It would seem you don’t always practice what you preach.”
“That is true, but I do like to practice things until I get them right.”
Her shoulders loosen and she shifts on her feet as if she’s settled in her spot. As if she’s suddenly invested in this conversation. “I agree—practice makes perfect.”
“Maybe you could help me with that?”
“I don’t think I’d be much help.”
“I beg to differ.”
“In my experience, it’s kind of hard to teach an asshole how to turn over a new leaf.”
Jesus, I’m going to need a long shower after this.
I fight the urge to move closer to her. “I’d imagine it would take a woman with your experience to get the job done.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“First round of practice tomorrow night.”
She doesn’t miss a beat. “I’m busy tomorrow night. But I’d be happy to give you some free advice.”
“Free advice is worthless. I’m more than happy to put the hours into a proper education.”
“I’m sure you’ll be able to snap your fingers and make that happen.”
Oh, baby, you have no idea.
“I could. But I only want the best and I have a feeling I’m looking at her
right now.”
She stumbles with her comeback and I taste victory.
And then she schools me. “For a smart man, you have a bad memory. I told you the other day that not everything is for sale. There are no lessons to be bought here, Ashton.”
Her declaration only inspires me. I take that step closer to her. Bending my mouth to her ear, I make a promise. “Although some things aren’t for sale, I’m not a man who gives up. Ever. You seem to have a bad memory too, Lorelei. I told you the other day that I always get what I want, and I wasn’t lying.” I move my face so I’m looking into those beautiful green eyes. “I’m a patient man, but make no mistake, this will happen, and it will happen soon.”
7
Lorelei
“So this was a good week… until today,” Sienna says as she slumps into the chair opposite me in our office late Friday afternoon.
I drag my attention away from my computer and eye her. She looks defeated, and Sienna never looks defeated. “What happened?”
“I was so close to gaining a new client—a guy who would have brought me a lot of business—when he decided to go with another company. He would have been the equivalent of about three clients with how busy he would have kept me.”
“There’s no way you can try and talk him around?”
She shakes her head. “I tried. He’s sold on this other company because they seem more solid to him. I guess my being a one-woman show doesn’t project the kind of image some people want.”
“And yet you are more than capable of looking after your clients just as well as the big boys.” I can’t hide my annoyance. Sienna and I come up against this time and time again. It’s frustrating.
She sighs. “Do you ever feel like it’s all too hard?”
“If I’m honest, yes, some days I feel that way. But then I give myself a talking to and figure I’ll show the doubters just what I’m capable of by proving them wrong.”
“I wish I was more like you.”
My eyes bulge. “What do you mean? You’re one of the few women I know who are super switched on and always positive.”
“Ugh, no. I pretend to be, but on the inside, I’m wailing like a baby. I listened to you all those years ago when you drilled into me that we needed to fake it until we made it. I just can’t help wondering how much longer I’ll be faking it for.”
