“Ash? Is something wrong?”
Lainey swallowed before she spoke. “No, Sam. It’s Lainey.”
“Lainey?” She could hear the surprise in his voice. “Why are you calling me from Ash’s phone?”
She took a deep breath and sat up straight. “I’m with Ash. He’s taking me home.”
“Taking you home? I don’t understand.”
“It’s complicated. Ash and I have some issues to settle. I’m sorry to leave you like this. I hope you can forgive me.”
Sam didn’t say anything for a moment. Then he chuckled. “Why am I not surprised? He never could stand for me to have something he didn’t.” He took a deep breath. “Tell him congratulations. He’s done it again.”
Before she could respond, Sam ended the call, and she stared down at the phone. Ash glanced at her. “Is everything okay?”
“He wasn’t very happy.”
“I guess not. He and I’ve been in a competition all our lives. If we weren’t trying to outdo each other in sports, we were competing for girls. He must think that’s what this was about tonight.” He reached over and grasped her hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to him tomorrow and explain everything.”
She nodded and didn’t say anything as they pulled up at her house. Minutes later they stood on the front porch, and her hand shook as she tried to turn the key.
When it finally opened, they walked inside, and he’d barely closed the door before he had her in his arms and was kissing her again. As his kiss deepened, he pulled her closer against him until she felt crushed against his chest. Their closeness only seemed to fire his passion more, and her body warmed as blood coursed through her veins.
He pulled away from her lips and nuzzled her ear. “Take me to your bedroom.”
His words caught her off guard, and she stilled in his arms. “What?”
He trailed kisses down her cheek. “I need you, Lainey.”
Alarm bells blared their warnings. She needed to proceed carefully. She’d often thought about how she’d feel the first time she slept with a man, but she’d never envisioned panic spreading through her body. “Ash. . .”
He pulled back and stared at her, his forehead wrinkling into a frown. “What’s the matter?”
Her chest tightened, and for a moment she couldn’t breathe or think. She had fantasized since her teenage years about this moment, but somehow she’d always known it would be with her husband. She and Ash had only known each other a few weeks, and now she was questioning the promise she’d made to herself years ago. “Ash, I-I don’t know about this.”
He cupped her chin in his hand and stared down at her. “What do you mean? You’re having second thoughts about us?”
A hurt expression flashed in his eyes, and she touched his cheek. “No, not about us. It’s just that I decided a long time ago to wait until I’m married.”
A slow grin spread across his face, and his hand grazed the side of her face. He stared into her eyes, and her heart melted at the love she saw shining there. Love for her. Something she’d been seeking ever since her parents’ death.
“Lainey,” he whispered, “If I were your husband, I couldn’t love you more than I do at this moment.” His hand drifted down her arm to her hand. He wrapped his fingers around hers and drew her hand up to his mouth. Closing his eyes, he kissed her knuckles, then turned her hand over and kissed her palm. “You know we belong together.”
She swallowed. “I’m scared, Ash. I-I’m a virgin. I’ve saved myself for my husband.”
His eyes softened, and he smiled. “Lainey, didn’t you understand what I told you earlier? From this night on we belong to each other for the rest of our lives. I’ve never promised that to anyone before. Maybe it’s wrong, but some selfish part of me is glad I’ll be the first.” He cupped the side of her face with his hand. “I’ve done some things in the past that I’m not proud of, but that was before I knew you. I want you to know that I’ve never really loved another woman, and this time with you will be the first time I’ve made love. Do you understand the difference?”
She nodded. “I do.”
“But I promise you this,” he said, “you’re the last woman I’ll ever make love to.”
Her heart nearly exploded with joy. With those words echoing in her mind, she took his hand and led him to her bedroom.
Later, they lay in bed, her head resting against Ash’s chest and his arms wrapped around her. From time to time she reached up and touched his cheek, and he kissed her fingertips.
“Are you okay?” he whispered.
“Yes,” she murmured. “And you?”
“I’ve never been as happy or felt more at peace than I do now.”
“Me, too.”
She’d never felt so contented in her life, and she nodded on the brink of sleep as she snuggled closer. His arm tightened around her shoulder, and he whispered in her ear. “We truly belong to each other now.”
“Forever,” she said as her eyes drifted closed.
The next thing she knew, she awoke alone in bed, and the sun was shining in the windows. Ash must have let himself out after she’d fallen asleep. Still unable to believe what had happened last night, she reached over and touched the pillow where his head had lain. Rolling over, she pressed her nose against it and inhaled his scent.
Then she lay back and surrendered to the thoughts she’d tried to keep at bay ever since she and Ash had returned to her home. It had only taken her a few minutes to forget the vow she’d made years ago to wait for marriage. Some part of her wanted to blame Ash, but she couldn’t. It had been as much her decision as his.
There was no going back now. She’d made the choice last night, and in so doing, had determined the path that her relationship with Ash would travel. Time would tell whether or not she’d chosen wisely.
After a few minutes, she sat up on the edge of the bed and smiled at the note lying on the bedside table. She opened it and her heart raced as she read the scrawling handwriting.
Good morning, beautiful. I didn’t have the heart to wake you after you dropped off. I just wanted to enjoy lying next to you and watching you sleep. Maybe I can come over again tonight after we have dinner at my house. I want to introduce you to my father and brother. Have a great day and think of me. I love you. Ash
She’d seen Ash’s father and brother from time to time in town, but she’d never met them. Now she found herself invited to dinner at their home. Humming her favorite song, she jumped up, rushed to her closet, and began rifling through the hangers to pick out what she’d wear tonight. Something told her she wasn’t going to be able to keep her mind on her work today.
Chapter 6
His father and brother were already eating breakfast. Ash paused outside the dining room door and listened to the low hum of their voices as they discussed the latest acquisition of DeHan Enterprises. In the past he’d barely paid attention to these mealtime conversations, but that was about to change.
The day he stepped into that trailside shelter and encountered Lainey, he’d known his life would never be the same again. His need for her had soon rivaled his love for Firebrand, and the choice between the two had been made last night.
He sighed, pulled the sleeve of his suit coat over the cuffs of his shirt, and straightened his tie. No time like the present to state the intentions he had for his future. Maybe his decision to enter the family business would heal the rift that had existed between him and his father for so many years. He took a deep breath and stepped into the room.
They looked up when he entered, surprise on both their faces. He sat and took a sip of the orange juice the cook had set at his plate. As if she could sense his presence, Millie pushed the kitchen door open and smiled at him. “Ready for coffee, Mr. Ash?”
He nodded. “Yes, thanks, Millie.” He glanced at his brother’s plate. “And I’ll have some of those pancakes if you have more.”
She smiled at him. “You know I always have more for you.”
“You�
��re the best,” he called out as she closed the door and disappeared into the kitchen. He glanced up and let his gaze drift from his father to his brother. They both stared at him like he had two heads. He frowned. “What’s the matter?”
His father put his fork down and blinked. “I don’t think I’ve seen you in a suit and tie since you came back from the army. To what do we owe the honor this morning?”
Millie entered the dining room with a plate of pancakes and set them down in front of him. When she’d left, Ash stared down at his plate for a moment and then took a deep breath. “I’m sorry about that, Dad. It’s taken me a while to figure out what I want, but I’m ready to take my place at DeHan Enterprises.”
His father cleared his throat and picked up his fork. “It’s about time. I’ve been more patient with you than I should have been. Now, do what’s been expected of you since you
were born, and get to work.” He took a bite and nodded toward Richard. “Listen to your brother, and don’t disappoint me.”
Ash grabbed the edge of the table and held tight to keep from storming from the room. The old Ash would have done that, but today was different. He’d made up his mind that if Lainey loved him, he could do whatever it took to show her he could be successful, too. It didn’t matter anymore if he still longed for the danger and adventure of a soldier’s life. That was over, and he was here. He would spend the rest of his life at DeHan Enterprises, and he would make himself be happy about it.
Across the table he heard Richard laugh, and he glanced up. “When I saw you last night, you acted like the world had come to an end. Then you come bouncing in here this morning like a sixteen-year-old boy with his first crush on a girl. Things must have taken a quick turn after you left home last night. Did you and your girlfriend make up?”
His father’s head jerked up, and he glared at Ash. “Girlfriend? This is the first I’ve heard of this. Who is she? What do you know about her?”
Ash’s face grew warm, and he sighed. It was so like his father to be suspicious of anyone who tried to get close to either of his sons. He’d lost count of how many of his and Richard’s girlfriends his father had vetoed in the past. He put down the knife he’d just picked up to butter his pancakes and glared at his father. “I know all I need to know about her, so you don’t have to get William Mason to run a background check on her like every other girl I ever tried to date.”
His father snorted. “Well, when you choose somebody that might be an asset to this family, I may surprise you.”
Why did every conversation with his father turn into a confrontation? “This one is different, Dad,” he said. “She doesn’t have any family. Her parents were killed when she was young, and her grandmother raised her. We went to high school together, but she’s just returned to St. Claire after graduating college with a degree in business.”
His father’s eyebrows arched. “Business, huh? She must be smart.”
Ash nodded. “She is. She’s smart and pretty, and . . .”
When he hesitated, his brother leaned forward. “And what?”
“And everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman,” he said before he could stop himself. Then he glanced at his father and brother, who were staring at him like he was a stranger.
“Wow, Ash,” his brother said. “You’ve got it bad for this girl. Does she have a name?”
He nodded. “Lainey Simpson. She’s working for Hathaway and Morrison Accounting Services, but I doubt if she stays there long. She needs something more challenging.”
His father’s eyes narrowed. “When are we going to meet this girl?”
Ash reached for the syrup and poured it over his pancakes as he tried to appear nonchalant. “Tonight. I’ve invited her for dinner.”
Richard laughed out loud and shook his head. “Well, this has been quite a morning for surprises. I can hardly wait to meet Lainey Simpson and discover what she’s done with the real Ash DeHan.”
Still laughing, he pushed back from the table and walked from the room. When he’d disappeared, Ash turned his attention to his pancakes and tried not to look at his father, though he felt the man’s stare. Then his father stood and walked to the door. “See you at the office. Don’t be late. It won’t look good to the employees if the owner’s son drags in after everybody else.”
Ash nodded. “Yes, sir.”
When his father left, Ash closed his eyes and groaned. He could do this. He didn’t have a clue what kind of job his father had in mind for him or what he’d be doing. All he needed to think about was Lainey. They loved each other, and that would get him through the job. He’d do what he had to do to make his father happy.
Chapter 7
Lainey could hardly believe how well dinner had gone. She’d been scared when Ash stopped at the locked entrance of the driveway at his home and punched in a security code to open the gate. The trip up the winding driveway to the colonial house with its columns had taken away her breath. Ash had smiled at how speechless she was and had kissed her cheek before leading her into the house and toward the den where his father and brother waited.
As she and Ash entered the room, the two men rose to face them. Her breath hitched in her throat at her first glimpse of Ash’s father. It wasn’t difficult to see where Ash had gotten his good looks. His father held out his hand and approached her. “Welcome to our home, Lainey. It’s good to meet you.”
Although the words were kind, there was a curt tone about them that made her hand tremble as he shook it. Her heart fluttered while he stared at her as if sizing her up as to whether or not this was a business deal he wanted to close.
“Thank you for having me, Mr. DeHan.”
Ash’s brother held out his hand. “I’m Richard, the older brother. This is the first time Ash has brought a girl home, and I want to echo my father’s welcome.” He took her hand in his and glanced at Ash. “If Ash doesn’t treat you right, let me know, and I’ll take care of him.”
Lainey put her hand in Richard’s and smiled as she glanced over his shoulder at the portrait of the beautiful woman hanging over the fireplace. No doubt Ash’s mother. Richard, so different from Ash, looked just like the fair-haired young woman with the flawless complexion in the painting.
“Thank you, Richard. I’ll remember that.” she glanced at Ash, whose face beamed.
Before they could say more, the cook stepped into the room and announced that dinner was ready. Ash’s father turned to her and extended his arm. “May I escort you to the dining room, Lainey?”
A stunned expression covered Ash’s face, and she smiled as she looped her arm through Mr. DeHan’s. “I’d be honored.”
Now with dinner drawing to a close, she was thankful for Ash’s presence beside her. He had reached over and clasped her hand several times during the meal as if to reassure her that she wasn’t alone. His brother had been very cordial, smiling as they talked throughout the meal. That hadn’t been the case with Ash’s father, however, once they were seated at the table. He’d been silent and almost brooding as he’d studied her with an unreadable expression in his eyes.
With dessert over, they rose from the table as the cook came out of the kitchen. Lainey smiled and grasped her hand. “Millie, the dinner was delicious. Living alone, I don’t cook much, so it’s always a treat when I get to enjoy a meal like this one.”
Millie smiled and glanced at Ash. “That chocolate cake is Mr. Ash’s favorite. That’s why I baked it tonight.”
Lainey laughed and nodded. “Now I know why he always craves chocolate cake. I’ve never tasted anything like it.”
The woman’s cheeks flushed, and she cast a quick look at Ash. “Well, I’ve been cooking for this family since before the boys were born. I like fixing things they enjoy.”
Ash put his arm around Millie and hugged her. “And we enjoy eating them.”
Mr. DeHan cleared his throat and frowned. “Millie, we’ll have coffee in the den.”
She nodded and turned toward the kitchen. “I’ll be right
there.”
As they started to leave the dining room, Mr. DeHan reached out and touched Lainey’s arm. “Tell me, Lainey. Do you like horses?”
She stopped and looked at him. “When I was a little girl, my father had horses, and we would ride together. After my parents were killed, the horses were sold. When I came here to live, I never had the opportunity to ride again. I miss it.”
He smiled for the first time since she’d been there. “I think you’d enjoy seeing our stable and horses.” He glanced at Richard and Ash, who looked stunned by his words, and waved his hand toward the den. “You two go on and have your coffee. I’ll take Lainey for a tour of the stable.”
Ash took a step toward them. “Dad, I can. . .”
His father glared at him and shook his head. “I’d like to do it.”
Lainey thought again of how much Ash and his father looked alike. She’d almost gasped earlier when she’d spotted a framed photograph on the wall outside the dining room that she thought was Ash only to learn it was his father when he was about the age Ash was now. Although his hair was now silver, it had once been as dark as Ash’s and tumbled across his forehead, too.
Seemed the men shared the same temperament. Ash had hinted that he and his father had never gotten along, but now she could see the animosity shining in Ash’s eyes, and it troubled her.
She looped her arm through Mr. DeHan’s and gave him what she hoped was a dazzling smile. “I’d like to see your stables.”
She glanced over her shoulder at Ash and puckered her lips in a kiss as she and Mr. DeHan walked toward the door that led to the outside. The angry look on Ash’s face dissolved into wariness. All she could do now was relax and let Mr. DeHan take the lead, and it didn’t take him long to do that.
They’d barely finished the tour down the alleyway of the stable and were ambling back toward the house when he began to question her, probing for some hidden information that she hadn’t revealed. When had she come to St. Claire? Did she have relatives elsewhere? What kind of job did she see herself doing in ten years?
Igniting the Flame (Firebrand Series) Page 4
