Chapter Seven
Lucas
The first thing I did when I went into the kitchen was throw cold water in my face. The sight of Ash sprawled out on the bed legs apart showing off those red lacy panties had my cock straining at the leash. I’d had to focus on her drunk face to dampen my ardor, which although cute, wasn’t the slightest bit sexy as she pulled weird facial expressions.
Coffee. I set up the machine, thankfully identical to the one in my room and made us both a drink.
As I took them through to Ash’s bedroom I saw that she’d fallen asleep. There was no way I was leaving her in such a state so I got on the bed at the other side of her and sat there for a while drinking my coffee. Then I drank the one I’d made for her. I’d just sit a while longer and then I’d go back to my own apartment…
I woke to find Ash’s face pushed up against my right pec, her leg thrown over mine.
Holy fucking shit! I’d fallen asleep sat up and she must have moved over. I carefully shuffled myself off the edge of the bed. As Ash’s head left my body and hit the mattress she woke with a start.
“What the-”
“Hey, you’re okay, Ash. You’re in your room. You had a lot to drink. I’ve been making sure you’re okay.” I told her scrunched up face.
She put a hand over her face and groaned. “God, my head.”
“I’ll go get you a glass of water and two painkillers.” I knew she kept them in a drawer in the kitchen. Rushing out, I took the two coffee mugs with me.
When I returned she was sat up, but had got under the covers, her dress still on. She took the water and tablets from me. “I vaguely remember not being able to get in my apartment and you lifting me onto the bed but that’s about all.” She said. “Me and the staff celebrated. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.”
“Seriously it’s fine. You were no trouble.”
“But I’m your boss. You shouldn’t see me in this state. It’s unprofessional and I don’t want you to think I’m being untoward.”
“Ash, you are not Jo. Never in a million years would I take anything you did as unprofessional. You aren’t that kind of woman. To be honest it was nice seeing you let your hair down. You’re funny when you’re wasted.”
“Oh my God. What did I do?” She put her hands over her eyes.
“Just tried to sleep on the floor outside the apartment.” I told her.
She groaned again and looked at the clock. “Thank goodness it’s a day off.”
“Yes, Sunday is the day of rest.” I told her. “So get your coffee and then you can either go back to sleep or hit the shower.”
“Thanks for looking after me, but you don’t have to stay now,” She said.
“But what if I want to stay? I’ve already been here half the night and fell asleep on that side of the bed.” I told her.
Her face heated up. “Seriously? Oh God. I really am sorry, how frikkin unprofessional.”
“Ash, stop apologizing, right now. Let’s find some program on the TV to watch while we enjoy a coffee and then if you’re up to it I’ll fix some breakfast. If you want me to scoot, just say so and I’ll leave you to your hangover, but I’ve no plans today so we can just chill if you like.”
“I’m goddamn starving,” she said. “I could eat bacon and eggs. There’s some in the fridge.” She said giving me a little smile. “Okay, I can take a hint.” I said and went to cook the princess her breakfast.
She devoured the food in what seemed like seconds and then consumed another coffee.
“Oh I feel so much better now. Thanks, Lucas.” She said. “I think I’ll hit the shower now. You’re free to go. Thanks again.” She leaned over and kissed my cheek and then she stopped placing a hand over her mouth. “Lucas, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Will you calm down, you’ve hardly molested me, have you?” I said. “You’re very welcome. I couldn’t let you choke on your own vomit, could I?”
I got up from the bed. “Right, I’ll let you get your shower and I’ll catch you later. I’m meeting Aidan tonight, just for a bite to eat and a cousin catch up. If you see me resting against my door I’ll expect you to put me to bed and take care of me.”
She threw a pillow at me. “Get out of here.”
I walked towards the door. “Catch you later.”
“Thank you, Lucas, for maybe saving my life.” She shouted after me. “Sorry about the kiss again.”
Was she sorry? It was only a peck on the cheek but I wasn’t sorry she’d done it. Neither was I sorry that I’d woken to find her cuddled against me. In fact I was headed to my own bed right now to think about that one some more. My cock agreed and I went into my apartment and hit the sack.
Aidan and I met at a steakhouse downtown and got caught up on family stuff and business. “So, you and Lori. You reckon she’s the one?”
He nodded. “I do. I’m gonna marry that woman one day. But right now she’s finishing up her studying, so I’m letting her concentrate on that. It means a lot to her, to achieve that.”
“Who’d have thought someone would tame the wild beast that is Aidan Hall.” I took a pull of my beer.
“Yeah, I swore I wouldn’t find a woman. Even had a bet with Henry and Eli about it.”
“Fuck, you didn’t?”
“Yeah, first time I’ve been pleased that I lost. So how about you then, any women in your life?”
“Nah, I’m not ready to settle down just yet.”
“You know I see how your eyes follow Ash around like a little puppy dog’s right?”
I startled so much I almost spilled my beer.
“What? Is it that obvious?” I choked out.
“Nah, bro. I was jesting with ya. I’ve seen the occasional glance I thought was a bit lust ridden, but thanks for confessing. Good to know. You going to do anything about your crush on your boss then?” He winked.
“You’re such a douche. I can’t believe I fell for that. You’d think I’d be aware of all your wind-ups by now.” I was seriously pissed that he’d got this out of me. It was bad for my job.
“Look, I know you had that claim from that bitch, but Ash isn’t like that.”
“I can’t ask my boss on a date, dude. What if she turned me down? That would do well for future business, when we can’t even look at each other. What if we dated and split up?”
“What if you were perfect for each other and it all worked out?”
“We’ll never know because I won’t ask.”
“Fine. Well if you change your mind, if things didn’t work out you could go manage the club in Miami.”
“I won’t be changing my mind.”
Aidan looked at me with a raised eyebrow but changed the subject to the night before.
“It would appear XL was a success yesterday. I had a call this morning from Denver himself personally to say how fantastic my new venue was, and how efficient my Manager.”
“Yeah, fucking jerk.”
Aidan’s brows creased. “Did he do something I’m unaware of?”
“He hit on Ash. I mean come on, he had all those females in the club and he hit on the manager of the establishment. Not very respectful is it?”
“No, it’s not. Though I wouldn’t expect anything better from him. He’s known for his player ways. I take it she declined his offer?”
“She did. Though I might have told her she should go out on a date with him.”
Aidan raised a hand to his forehead half covering his eyes. “You did what?”
“Look, she needs to date other guys, then maybe I can get over this teenage boy crush I’m having and we can get on with our jobs. But I see her round the clock and so it’s not surprising I’ve got like this. It’s like being in the Big Brother house or something. It amplifies your feelings when you’re spending so much time together.”
“Lucas. You work on different floors, have different shift patterns and although your apartments are next door you don’t have to spend time together. So why do you think you both are? Please don’t do an Eli and lust after your assistant for years without doing anything.”
“Me and Ash have a platonic friendship. That. Is. All.” I snapped.
“You keep telling yourself that.” Aidan replied.
I wanted to punch that smug grin off his face.