Undeniably Asher (The Colloway Brothers Book 2)(12)
I refocus on the reason we’re having this discussion in the first place. Keeping my business afloat. “Okay. I accept your terms.”
His smile blinds me, and all thoughts I just had about why I should stay away from this man float out of the room on a cloud of pure lust.
Yep, my conviction needs a lot of work.
A. Lot.
Chapter 4
Asher
“Have you had lunch yet?” Now that she’s agreed to my terms, I want to get to the fun part. Getting to know this grown-up Alyse who has me mesmerized. Who’s been overshadowing my every thought for weeks. The fact that her asshole boyfriend is out of the picture is that much better. Because one way or another, he was gonna be gone.
“Yes. I ate a quick bite before you arrived.”
I can’t tell if she’s telling the truth or not, so I change tactics. “Dinner, then.”
“I don’t know, Asher. It’s probably best if we don’t.”
Bullshit.
“I have a few more things I’d like to discuss. Get you up to speed on CFC before Monday.” I don’t, because I’d planned on doing that Monday morning, but she doesn’t have to know that. Besides, if it makes her say yes, then I’ll spend some of the precious personal time I get with her on business.
She smirks and her eyes twinkle. I guess I’m not as smooth as I think. That, or she sees right through me, which is the more disconcerting of the two.
“Well, since it’s only a little after one o’clock and you blocked the entire afternoon, we have time now.”
“Yes, I did,” I reply slowly, trying to think how I’m going to get her to agree. “However, another urgent matter came up on the way here and I’m afraid I have an important call in an hour.” It didn’t and I don’t. “I’ll pick you up at seven,” I say as I begin to rise. I can see asking Alyse will get me nowhere, so demand it will be. That’s my usual MO anyway and what I’m far more comfortable with.
“I’m going to see you tomorrow at your mom’s for Thanksgiving. We can just talk then.”
I turn, my hand gripping the doorknob. I surprise myself by telling the truth instead of being flippant. “I don’t want to spend a holiday talking about business, Alyse. That’s one of the few days I get away from it and I just want to enjoy spending time with my family.”
Her face falls and I know I have her, but I wonder why it doesn’t make me as happy as it should. Maybe because I want Alyse to want to be with me, not coerced to be with me.
“Yes, I’m sorry. Okay.”
I nod, open the door, and walk through, calling over my shoulder, “See you at seven.”
Half an hour later, I walk through the front door of my family home, surprised to see Gray and Livia there already, but happy nonetheless. Things are finally getting back to normal between Gray and myself after the whole firing misunderstanding with Livia.
At the time, I truly thought it was best for both of them. Although it’s hard, even I can admit when I’ve royally fucked up. I guess I should have discussed my decision with Gray before sending Camille to Livia’s apartment with severance papers. In retrospect, I can see how very uncool and unprofessional it was, but I was also trying to avoid another debacle like the one five years ago.
Gray was destroyed when Livia left him, and although neither will tell me the whole story, Gray has assured me it wasn’t because she wanted to. Whatever that means. All I know is if she hurts him again, I will stop at nothing to keep her out of his life, underhanded or not. Although with twins on the way, keeping her out of his life will be that much harder.
But at the moment I don’t have to worry about that, because they seem genuinely happy and are to be married in just a few short weeks. For both of their sakes, I hope it works out. I know how devastating it can be to have the woman you love crush you. It’s something I still haven’t fully recovered from. I’m beginning to wonder if I ever will.
“Hi,” I say, grabbing a beer from the fridge.
“Starting a little early, aren’t you?” Gray responds. He’s sitting at the island with his arms wrapped around Livia from behind, who’s standing between his legs thumbing through a wedding magazine. I don’t want to examine too closely why that intimate gesture causes me a little pang of envy.
I ignore his jab. I only plan on having a couple of brews before I spend the rest of the afternoon catching up on some work. Then I want to spend the evening and all day tomorrow just enjoying Alyse’s company. I need time to break down her defenses before Monday. I already know she’s trying to ignore what’s sizzling hot between us, and in some ways I have to respect that. She’s professional, she’s trying to run a business, and she doesn’t want to fraternize with clients. I get that. Hell, I agree with that. But I plan on being more than just a client to her.