Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss(2)

                 All this devotion William showered on his children was alien and it made Devon uncomfortable. Especially since William seemed determined to treat Devon like a son now that he was marrying Ashley.

                 Devon started to get out when he saw Ashley fly through the door, a wide smile on her face, her eyes sparkling as she saw him.

                 What the hell?

                 He hurried toward her, a frown on his face.

                 “Ashley, you should have stayed inside. I would have come for you.”

                 In response, she laughed, the sound vibrant and fresh among the sounds of traffic. Her long blond hair hung free tonight instead of being pulled up by a clip in her usual careless manner. She reached for his hands and squeezed as she smiled up at him.

                 “Really, Devon, what could happen to me? Alex is right here, and he watches over me worse than my father does.”

                 Alex, the doorman, smiled indulgently in Ashley’s direction. It was a smile most people wore around her. Patient, somewhat bemused, but nearly everyone who met her was enchanted by her effervescence.

                 Devon sighed and pulled Ashley’s hands up to his waist. “You should wait inside where it’s safe and let me come in for you. Alex can’t protect you. He has other duties to attend to.”

                 Her eyes sparkled merrily, and she flung her arms around his neck, startling him with the unexpected show of affection.

                 “That’s what you’re for, silly. I can’t imagine anyone ever hurting me when you’re around.”

                 Before he could respond, she fused her lips hungrily to his. For God’s sake the woman had no sense of self-control. She was making a spectacle here in the doorway to her apartment building.

                 Still, his body reacted to the hunger in her kiss. She tasted sweet and so damn innocent. He felt like an ogre for the deception he was carrying out.

                 But then he remembered that Copeland Hotels would finally be his—or at least under his control. He would be a force to be reckoned with worldwide. Not bad for a man who had been told that his sole ambition should be not to “screw up.”

                 Carefully, he pulled her away and gently offered a reprimand.

                 “This isn’t the place, Ashley. We should be going. Carl is waiting for us.”

                 Her lips turned down into a momentary frown before she looked beyond him to Carl, and once again she rushed forward, a bright smile on her face.

                 He shook his head as she greeted his chauffeur, her hands flying everywhere as she spoke in rapid tones. Carl grinned. The man actually grinned as he handed Ashley into the car. By the time Devon made it over, Carl had already reverted back to his somber countenance.

                 Devon slid into the backseat with Ashley, and she immediately moved over to nestle into his side.

                 “Where are we eating tonight?” she asked.

                 “I planned something special.”

                 As expected she all but pounced on him, her eyes shining with excitement.

                 “What?” she demanded.

                 He smiled. “You’ll see.”