Chapter 3
Marlee slid into the limo, shuffling across to make room for Colton. She scuffled to adjust her seatbelt as the limo glided out onto the street. Lights and horns floated past outside, but Marlee snuggled into the pleasant warmth inside. A lamp in the ceiling illuminated the passenger compartment.
As she looked up, she met Ash’s eyes.
He was sitting directly across from her. His steel-grey eyes hardened and hit hers with his penetrating gaze, as he shrugged his shoulders inside his jacket.
So this was the most notorious bad boy on Broadway? Yum.
Instead of a T-shirt, Ash wore a pressed, tailored buttoned shirt with the top button unfastened. He gave her another once-over. “How did you like your brother’s apartment?”
“It’s very nice. Thank you. I suppose you have one like it, too.”
“Who me? No, I could never live in a place like that. I live in a brownstone in Queens.”
Marlee stared at him. “Do you? Do you take a limo from Queens to town every morning to get to work?”
“No, I drive my car.”
“A Ferrari, I suppose.”
“No, I have a BMW.”
Marlee pursed her lips and nodded. “Impressive.”
“Not as impressive as this brother of yours. He never does anything by halves.”
“That’s interesting. He said the same thing about you.”
Ash’s cheeks colored, but he never took his eyes off her. “I suppose he warned you all about what a shark I am.”
Her cheeks glowed. She was enjoying this. “Yes, he did. He told me not to let you get anywhere near me.”
He cast his eyes down to her feet and back up to her...yes; he was staring at her chest. “I’d like to get near you, all right.”
Colton growled under his breath. “What did I tell you?”
Marlee laid her hand on her brother’s arm. “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.”
“You’re only encouraging him,” Colton shot back.
“We’re just talking,” Marlee told him. “Now, Ash, I want to know all about this negotiation you just had. Colton never tells me anything about what he does.”
“I told you all about it,” Colton protested.
“There’s really nothing to tell,” Ash replied. “Your brother blew everybody out of the water and got exactly what he wanted. He won a bunch of concessions from the City, and he got the duties the City wanted from shippers. He also positioned our holding company to make a whopping profit from the new arrangements by purchasing advanced shares in some of the shippers involved. He’s a genius, this brother of yours.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Colton countered. “It was easily just as much your win as mine. You’re the one who dug up those figures.”
“And you’re the one who came up with the idea of buying before they signed the agreement. You watch. Tomorrow morning when the agreement gets published, the stocks will shoot through the roof. You’re the one who decided to buy while the price was low. I don’t even want to know what sort of deals you’ve got cooking behind the scenes that I don’t even know about.”
Marlee turned to her brother. “Is this true?”
“I told you not to believe a word he says,” Colton snapped. “He’s trying to butter you up by flattering me.”
Ash hooted. “Flatter you! That’ll be the day. How do you think he can afford that apartment of his? He makes ten times as much money as I do, and it’s all behind closed doors. He’s a monster.”
“He’s your best friend,” Marlee pointed out.
“So what do you think that makes me?” Ash replied.
“You say you’re a shark.”
Ash snorted. “I’m a patsy. He only keeps me around to make himself look good.”
Colton glared at him. “You better cut that out before you get yourself in trouble.”
Ash softened. “I’m just joshing you, man. You know I love you more than my upholstery.”
Colton scowled out the window.
Ash turned his attention back to Marlee. “So tell me. What do you do out there in sunny California?”
“I’m a horse trainer.”
His eyes widened. “A horse trainer!”
“Yes. I work for a racing stud outside Santa Cruz.”
“Interesting. That must be such a nice, relaxing job—nowhere near as stressful as corporate contract negotiation.”
“No, it’s not stressful at all. In fact, it’s boring. I’ve been jealous of you and Colton since I got here and saw what you’re up to. It must be so exciting to face down a challenge like that and win. I wish I had that kind of challenge in my life.”
“Don’t wish that,” Ash replied. “I sometimes wish I had a nice, relaxing job like training horses. Now that’s a job I could enjoy.”
Marlee laughed out loud. “Maybe we could switch for a few weeks. We could try out each other’s jobs and see how we like them.”
He brightened up. “Okay. You’ll have to give me a starter course, though. I don’t know anything about training horses.”
“And I don’t know anything about negotiating contracts.”
“I’m sure it’s not that much different. I’m sure you have to negotiate with your horses to get them to do what you want. These people coming to us with their contracts aren’t all that smart. It’s more about knowing how to handle them the right way—tempting them with the right bait—that sort of thing.”
Marlee nodded. “That sounds about right. You’d be a natural,” she joked.
The limo stopped, and Colton peered out. “We’re here.”
The trio got out in front of a restaurant packed with people. The crowd poured out the front doors. No one could get near the entrance.
Colton rolled his eyes. “This is great.”
“We have a reservation,” Ash replied. “I’ll go inside and find the manager.”He shouldered his way in, and the crowd parted to let him through.
The instant he left, Colton rounded on Marlee. “What exactly do you think you’re doing?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I told you not to get anywhere near that guy. You’ve done nothing but flirt with him since you got into the limo. Are you trying to make me mad? He’s dangerous, I told you.”
Marlee flashed him a grin. “Ooo, goody! I love dangerous men.”
Colton smacked his lips. “Don’t let me see that you are talking to him again. Just stay away from him.”
“Come on, Colton,” she chided. “I’m just playing around. I can’t exactly ignore him for the rest of the evening. He’s paying to take us out to dinner.”
“I don’t care if he gives you a million dollars. Don’t talk to him. Don’t even look at him.”
Marlee crossed her arms over her chest. “You can’t order me around like that. I’ll talk to anyone I please, and he happens to be a very good conversationalist.”
“Conversationalist! Do you think I don’t see you two checking each other out?”
Marlee felt her cheeks heat up. She hadn’t realized it’d been so obvious to him that she was checking out Ash. But she couldn’t help it. He looked so damn good with his broad shoulders and his narrow hips. She couldn’t stop herself imagining what he looked like under that suit. A man like that gave her butterflies in her stomach. “Look, Colton, I’m just having a good time. I’m not marrying him. Isn’t that what I came out to New York to do? You can’t keep me under lock and key the whole time I’m here. He’s your friend, not mine. He invited us out to dinner. Let’s just enjoy it while we can.”
He threw up his hands. “I wouldn’t object to you having a little witty repartee with just about anybody else, but not him.”
“How can you say that? He’s your closest friend and your business partner?”
“That doesn’t mean I have to approve of his dating habits.”
Marlee chuckled. “We’re hardly dating.”
“You don’t know him like I do. I’ve seen him chew up women and spit them out. I couldn’t let him do that to my sister. Just stay away from him.”
She sized him up. “I understand you’re trying to protect me, and I love you for that. I’m just talking to him. I would be rude not to. Let’s just get through this dinner. Then we’ll see where we’re at.”
He stood back and nodded. “Alright. I guess there’s no harm in that.”
Ash came back. “I’ve got our table. Come on.” He split the crowd with his massive presence. People fell away before him. If someone didn’t happen to notice him come up behind them, he only had to lay his hand on that person’s shoulder. Then they scampered out of the way with many heartfelt apologies. In an instant, Ash pulled out Marlee’s chair, and the two men arranged themselves on either side of her.
Marlee checked out the menu and closed it again. She couldn’t believe someone would pay these prices, just for food.
“What are you having?” Colton asked.
“I don’t know,” Marlee breezed. “You can decide for me.”
“How about the ratatouille?”
Marlee burst out laughing. “All right. Whatever you say.”
Ash set his menu aside. “I’m having a steak. A crisp negotiation in the bank like we had today puts me in the mood for a nice bloody steak. I need blood.” He lowered his voice to a vampiric chortle.
Marlee beamed at him. “You probably drag your maiden conquests back to your lair in Queens and tie them to the bedpost before you suck them dry. Come on. Admit it, Ash. You have a coffin in the basement instead of a bed.”
He shot her a wicked smirk. “You’d like me to tie you to my bedpost, wouldn’t you?”
“You couldn’t handle my sexual appetite, sonny,” she shot back.
“Really? Try me.”
Colton slammed his hand down on the table. “Do we have to talk about this at the dinner table?”
“Yes, we do,” Marlee countered. “Tell me what you like, Ash. Are you a bondage man, or do you have more of the cannibalism-type fetish? Colton says you chew up girls and spit them out. Maybe you just suck their blood and stack the bones in your basement.”
Ash chuckled with glee.
Colton gritted his teeth and turned on Marlee. “What are you trying to do? You’re baiting him right in front of me.”
“Fine. I won’t talk to Ash anymore. I’ll just sit here and eat my ratatouille.” She wadded up her napkin and stuck it in her lap. She laced her fingers together, propped them under her chin and her elbows on the table, and blinked into the distance.
Colton glared at no one in particular.
Nobody said anything until the food came.
Ash took up his knife and fork and bent over his steak. “Mmm. Nice, medium rare, charbroiled maiden conquest. Just what I like.”
Marlee exploded in laughter again, but when she saw the look on Colton’s face, she buttoned her lip for good. Neither she nor Colton said anything for the rest of the meal.
Ash prattled on as though to himself. “What do you guys have planned for Christmas? I’m going down to Times Square to hear the carolers on Saturday. Maybe you’d like to come along. I wouldn’t be able to suck your blood there. Oh, wait. Colton wouldn’t let you come. Anyways, I still haven’t set up my tree yet. I got all my decorations out of the basement, and I....oh, sorry. I forgot. There’s no room in the basement for decorations with all the bones lying around. Well, it’s kind of hard to enjoy Christmas by yourself, isn’t it? It’s nice you two will be spending Christmas together. Do you have your presents wrapped under the tree yet?”
Marlee cast a sidelong glance at Colton. She just now realized she forgot to get him a Christmas present. Her parents sent theirs through the mail. The box would arrive in a few days, and she would put them under the tree in Colton’s room for Christmas morning. She forgot to get him one from herself, though.
Her mind raced. She would have to get away from him for a few hours sometime before the 25th. “Are you guys working for the rest of the week, or are you done for the holidays?”
Colton’s head whipped around, and he bared his teeth.
Ash froze with a piece of steak perched on the end of his fork halfway between the plate and his open mouth. He stared back and forth between Marlee and Colton.
Marlee turned on Colton. “Well, are you? It’s a simple question.”
Colton finally answered, “No, we’re not working. I was hoping you and I could spend some time together.” He glared at Ash. “Just you and me—no one else.”
Marlee’s heart sank. How could she give him the slip to buy him a present? She regretted teasing him by joking with Ash. He would watch her like a hawk now. Well, she had a week left before Christmas. Something would pop up. It always did.
After the meal, Ash went to pay the check.
Marlee stole a peek at Colton, but he wouldn’t even look at her. She passed her hand across the table to touch his arm. “Listen, Colton. I’m sorry I antagonized you. I never meant to cause any bad feeling between you and Ash.”
He let out a sigh. “I’m just worried about you. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
She kept her witty remarks to herself. “I won’t. I promise.”
He raised his eyes to her face. “Are you sure? You won’t get involved with him?”
“How could I get involved with him? I’m only here for the holidays. Then I’m going home. Nothing can happen between Ash and me, and anyway, he’s your best friend. Don’t let any of this come between you.”
He clasped her hand. “Promise me you won’t fool around with him.”
Marlee’s cheeks burned. “What makes you say that? We’re just talking.”
He shook his head. “I’ve seen him do this before. He’ll charm the pants off you and leave you high and dry.”
“You keep saying that like I’m some innocent victim and he’s a rapacious hound. I’m a consenting adult. If I want to have a playful fling with him, why shouldn’t I? At least, I know what I’m getting into. I don’t expect anything more and I have you to thank for that. Ash doesn’t want it, and I don’t expect it. What can go wrong?”
Colton stared at her in horror. “You can’t seriously be considering this.”
“I never said anything about considering it. I’m just pointing out the facts. He’s a grown man, and I’m a grown woman. What’s a little sex on the side?”
Colton clapped his hands over his ears. “I’m not listening to this.”
“Suit yourself. Mom and Dad are thousands of miles away, and I’m on vacation here. Why shouldn’t I have a little fun with a hot guy?”
“You’re my little sister. I can’t think of you doing...that.”
“You better think about it, brother. I’m not some nun living in an ivory tower. I like men, and I like men like Ash. I like him the way you say he likes curvy women. If I decide to do it with him, you’ll have nothing to say about it.”
Colton groaned. “Tell me you’re not going to do this. Tell me you aren’t thinking of letting him touch you like that.”
Marlee giggled. “Come on, Colton. We’re both adults here. You don’t think I live my life a chaste virgin, do you? I’m going into this with my eyes open, so you have nothing to worry about.”
Before they could say anything more, Ash returned.
They made their way back outside and got into the limo. It headed up Broadway, and Marlee gazed out the window at the huge lighted signs on every side. She turned around to see both Colton and Ash staring at her. She shrank down small in her seat.
This situation turned into exactly the opposite of how she envisioned her New York Christmas getaway. Colton was furious with her for even suggesting she would want to have sex with a guy.
Ash’s dark grey eyes bored into her from across the seat. He could be thinking of only one thing. Maybe he wanted something from her she wasn’t prepared to give. What if she let him hit on her and then didn’t take no for an answer? Why did she hit on him and let him hit on her if she wasn’t prepared to go all the way?
She would love to go all the way with a guy like that. She would love to smear herself all over him. She would love to find out what was the worst he could do in the bedroom. Was he all talk, or was he more of a demon than she imagined?
She couldn’t exactly go through with it, though, could she? What would Colton say? She might ruin their whole business relationship. Colton owed his success at least in part to his friendship with Ash and vice versa. What would either man be without that?
Colton must have seen Ash go through a lot of women. None of that ever bothered him before. His sister was a different story. He probably felt responsible for her. Here she was, a country girl in the big city for the first time. If anything happened to her, even a broken heart, he would blame himself.
Marlee found herself staring across the seat at Ash. He fascinated her. Everything about him sparked her deepest curiosity. What would he look like naked? What would he look like when his muscled midsection contracted in lust?
All of a sudden, the limo stopped in the middle of traffic.
Colton startled out of a trance. “What’s going on?”
Ash leaned forward to look outside. “We’re here. Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“The bar. I said we’d go out for a drink afterward. Here we are. Let’s go. Are you coming?”
Marlee put out her hand for the door, but Colton grabbed her. “You’re not going in there with him.”
Ash pushed the door open himself. “I’m going in. You guys can come, or you can go home. I don’t care.” He got out.
Marlee tried to shrug off Colton’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go inside and have a drink.”
He yanked her back. “No way. You’re walking right into his trap.”
She struggled against his fingers digging into her arm. “Cut it out, Colton. I want to go in. This has nothing to do with Ash. I don’t want to slink home and go to bed. I want to go out.”
He threw his hand off her arm and sat back in the seat. “If you go in there, you’re going alone. I’m going home. You want to play around? You’re on your own.”
She shot one more glance toward the bar. She looked back at her brother.
Should she do this, even knowing what would happen?
What the heck? She came to New York to cut loose, and that’s what she would do. She shoved the door open and burst out into the frosty night.