Ash

Ash enjoyed the bite to eat sitting across from Kallie. Their soft conversation and way things easily flowed between the two of them already had him thinking of taking her back to his apartment. She looked beautiful in the outfit she had picked out. The hair clip caught the sun and glistened against her copper locks. Her green eyes popped with the multicolored dress she picked out. It gave him a beautiful look at her toned calves while draping around her body in ways that called to his fingertips. He envisioned taking her back to his apartment and making love to her for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening.

Hell, why did they ever have to stop?

“It’s beautiful up here,” Kallie said. “Do you come here often?”

“Usually by myself. This is my favorite table.”

“I figured, since the guy at the front seemed to know you.”

“Well he doesn’t know me from here,” Ash said. “He made a trip to the island one time while I was out there and got himself into a financial bind.”

“Really? What happened?”

“He was there with his two daughters and lost his wallet. Probably got washed away with the ocean. I was coming out of the waves and he was talking to his daughters about how they might have to head back home sooner than usual. I sort of eavesdropped.”

“Are you telling me you paid for his vacation?” she asked.

“I gave him some money to get through his last few days there. He’s a good guy. A single dad who does his best. He saved up for years for that trip he took his girls on, and I didn’t like seeing his daughters cry.”

Ash shrugged it off, but he could see something in Kallie’s eyes. Something that softened more toward him. He didn’t like boasting about that kind of stuff. Walking around and talking about how he always helped people with his money. But he tried where he could while still keeping a low profile. He could still see the tears in those girls’ eyes.

And the sound of their crying?

It still broke his heart.

“How’s the food?” Ash asked.

“Really good. Could we take another walk in the park after?” Kallie asked.

“Of course we can. We can do whatever you want today. And if you’re hungry after this walk, I’ll take you out for dinner.”

“Oh, there’s this awesome pizza place in Brooklyn.”

“There are many awesome pizza places in Brooklyn,” he said.

“Maybe we could go share a slice or something?”

“Oh, you’re getting your own slice. No one touches my Brooklyn pizza.”

“Well fine then. We can get pizza and cinnamon rolls. How does that sound?”

“Are you talking about that place right in the middle of the city? What’s it called...?”

“The one across the street from the cinnamon bun store? Oh yes. That’s the one I’m talking about.”

“It’s a date then,” he said with a smile.

“What are you eating, by the way?” Kallie asked.

“Roasted figs. Would you like to try one?”

“They look slimy.”

“But they taste delicious,” he said with a smile. “Here, just a small bite.”

Ash pierced one on his fork and watched Kallie wrap her lips around it. The image alone had his cock throbbing for more of her. He watched all sorts of emotions and reactions cascade over her beautiful face. Intrigue and confusion, a bit of disgust until she bit into it. Then her facial features relaxed and she rolled her eyes, moaning as the taste flooded her tongue.

“See?” Ash asked.

“Oh my gosh. That’s really good,” Kallie said.

“Here. Let me try a bite of your octopus. I have to admit, I’ve been eyeing it.”

“I’ve never had octopus before, but this is really good. Here, hold on.”

Ash watched her spear some onto a fork before she brought it to his face. He smiled at her as he wrapped his lips around the delicious morsel, his body coming alive when Kallie giggled. And she was right. The octopus was fantastic. And in the restaurant’s defense, Ash had never had anything here that wasn’t good.

But it was better with Kallie sitting across from him. Feeding it to him.

Enjoying it alongside him.

“Is that Ashly Worthington I see?”

Ash cringed the second he heard that voice. Like nails on a chalkboard.

He watched Kallie furrow her brow before her gaze turned off to the side. He considered taking her hand and bolting. Running down the back steps and getting away from the dastardly woman approaching them. Fuck. Sasha Benson.

Of course she would pop up at the most inopportune time in his fucking life.

Ash turned his body and watched the woman walk toward them. Her smile was a mile wide and her face was tanned and taut. Her platinum blond hair hung down to her shoulders and her slim build made her look like she hadn’t eaten in days. Sasha Benson. Fuck, that woman was a shark. Sasha was everything Ash hated about the elite. She was snooty. Snobbish. Entitled to all the fancy things in life. Didn’t have to work for her money because her good old daddy made all of it for her to spend. She was an entitled heiress. A typical young New York City socialite.

And she was headed straight for them.

“Sasha,” Ash said curtly.

“And why in the world didn’t you tell me you were back in the city?” Sasha asked.

Her features were as plastic and as brittle as the fake attitude pouring from her lips.

“Probably because I didn't want to,” Ash said.

“And who is this?” Sasha asked.

She turned and gave Kallie a tight grin, and there was a look in her eye that he didn’t like. Sasha positioned herself so he couldn't even see Kallie any longer, and he could feel anger pooling in his chest. His father had always taught him to respect a woman, but Ash had no intentions of respecting her if she couldn't respect the woman he was with.

“If you could move, I’d really enjoy that,” Ash said.

“I was hoping I’d be able to catch you on the island,” Sasha said. “I know you’re usually there this time of year. What brought you back to the city?”

Ash watched Kallie peek out from around Sasha’s body and he desperately searched for a way to get them out of this position.

“You remember that time you taught me how to surf?” Sasha asked. “I was hoping you’d be able to give me a few more lessons.”

“Nope. Have to say my ticket’s all filled up,” Ash said.

“Such a shame. Will you be back on the island anytime soon? There’s a new club opening up, and I was hoping we could go dancing. I always love it when we dance together, Ash. I’ve missed it.”

He could see Kallie wilting in her seat and it boiled his blood.

“While it’s flattering that you miss our interactions,” Ash said as he stood, “we were just leaving.”

“Already? I was hoping to join you for a bite,” Sasha said.

“Too bad I never invited you to,” Ash said.

He stood up and walked around her, then held his hand out to Kallie. She took it, but he felt how limp her grasp was.

“Always a pleasure,” Sasha said as her eyes fell onto Kallie.

“Wish I could say the same. If you want something, you can take a seat and charge it to my card. You still do that, right? Live off other’s money?” Ash asked.

Sasha’s smile stayed plastered on her face, but her eyes hardened.

“See you around,” Sasha said.

And he didn’t like the tone of voice she said it in.

Ash turned around and guided Kallie away from the table, but he should’ve known Sasha wouldn’t let him go that easily. He heard her quick footfalls behind him and he knew the ploy that was coming. Sasha never changed and always used the same tactics to get what she wanted.

He turned around before she could tap him on the shoulder and he put on his best smile.

“What?” Ash asked.

“I just remembered—”

“I’m sure you did,” Ash said.

Sasha smiled at him before she cleared her throat.

“I just remembered that my birthday party is next weekend. Oh, you do have to come. Everyone will enjoy seeing you.”

Sasha latched onto his free arm, threading her grip around the crook of it.

“Uh-huh. I’m sure you wouldn’t forget a party in honor of your birth,” Ash said.

“Do come. Promise me. It’ll be the greatest birthday present.”

“I’ll see what I’ve got on my schedule.”

“Oh, Ash. Don’t be like that. You know you love a good party. Remember all those shots we used to throw back? What’s your drink of choice? I’ll have it flown in and stocked.”

“Goodbye, Sasha.”

Ash pulled away from the woman’s grasp and quickly ushered Kallie to the stairs.

“Call me!” Sasha called out.

Fuck. She couldn’t have appeared at a worse time. And Kallie looked pale in the face. Her stare was far-off. Her grip on his hand was loose. Her footfalls were heavier. Ash wanted to apologize. To explain what had just happened and who that woman was. But he wanted to get her out of the crowded restaurant first. He could hear Sasha still calling after him and he eyed his friend at the front. He nodded his head and stepped in between the two of them, distracting Sasha long enough to make their way back to the park.

If Sasha had ruined his chance at trying to win Kallie back, he would never forgive her.

More than that, he would make sure she paid for her sins.