“But why does she blame you?”
His stomach twisted. “I really wish I could answer your questions, but…” He shook his head. “I can’t. You really need to talk to Dare.”
“So now I have to go have this awkward conversation with Dare.”
“You find it uncomfortable talking about Dare and I having had sex together?”
“You’ve both kept it hidden for all these years, so I assume it’s uncomfortable for both of you, too. It is a little weird that you’ve been with each other and now you’re both in love with me.” She gazed at him with wide eyes. “Were you two in love?”
“Ashley, I really don’t want to talk about this.”
She frowned. “Sorry.” She stood up. “I’ll let you get back to work.” She headed to the door, but when she reached for the doorknob, she hesitated, then turned back toward him. She tipped her head. “You know, Dare told me he thought there was a solution to our relationship … one where no one gets hurt. I didn’t know about you and him in the past, but now that I do, I wonder … Do you think that maybe he’s going to suggest that all three of us have a relationship together?”
That sounded like something Dare might suggest. And with Ashley’s willingness to try new things, proven by her embracing being Dare’s submissive … and, God, by the hopeful light shining in her eyes right now … His groin tightened at the thought of Ashley, naked and eager, standing between him and Dare. Of his lips on Ash. Of Dare’s lips on him. All three of their bodies moving together.
Oh, God, the thought turned him on so much. But it also caused his heart to ache.
He turned and walked back to his chair and sat down, the desk hiding his erection.
“Maybe, but it would never work.”
“I know it’s unconventional, but—”
“I don’t mean that. I mean because I could never be with him again.” He shook his head, pain flashing through him. “It was far too difficult the first time it ended. I don’t intend to go through that again.”
* * *
Dare stepped out of his meeting, happy to have the papers signed with the innovative owner of the high-tech start-up to buy out his company, and he was staying on to manage development of the new product here in town. The chip he’d developed to allow small devices to quadruple the memory they could hold was ingenious and would revolutionize the capabilities of all mobile devices. He got on the elevator and the doors closed behind him.
Now that he had successfully concluded his business here in Autumn’s Ridge, he had no reason to stay.
Except to be with Ashley.
That was a pretty big reason.
He wasn’t sure how to proceed with her. He didn’t want her to pick Adam over him just because of proximity. He could return every weekend to see her, but that wasn’t ideal for either of them. Especially with the current situation where she saw Adam every day … ran with him regularly … and she’d probably keep seeing him for their weekly movie night. Unless he forbade her, which he was sure would not go over well with her.
What he really wanted—what he’d been going to suggest to her—was that they try it with the three of them, but that was a pretty big leap and he wasn’t sure he could convince her. He was actually relieved he’d been called away on business before he’d recommended it.
What he had to do was convince her to choose him over Adam. He was sure he could do it but … his chest tightened … he hated knowing that would cause Adam pain. But Dare had to look out for his own happiness, too.
And Ashley’s.
He walked across the lobby toward the glass doors. It was a beautiful sunny day outside. He wondered what Ash was doing right now.
He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and glanced at his texts. There was one from Ashley.
Can we talk? I finish work at 5.
He glanced at the time display. It was almost five now.
He left the building and his driver opened the door of the town car for him. He slid into the backseat, then tapped in a return text.
Pick you up in 5 min?
The magazine was about eight blocks from here. He gave the driver the address.
* * *
As soon as Ashley got the text from Dare, she closed up her e-mail and grabbed her purse from her desk drawer. When she hadn’t heard back from him, she didn’t think they’d connect this evening, but he must have been in a meeting.
“You’re leaving early tonight.”
Adam’s voice startled her. She hadn’t seen him walking by.
“It’s after five,” she said defensively.
He laughed. “I wasn’t complaining. You’ve been staying late a lot these days. I think it’s good that you’re getting away on time for a change. Got a hot date?”